Kobe’s sports academy is dropping ‘MAMBA’ from its name

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On Tuesday, the Mamba sports academy, in order to honor the late basketball legend, announced that it would withdraw “Mamba” from its name. The new title will go back to its original name : Sports Academy.

Kobe Bryant and her 13 year old daughter Gianna Mariaonore Bryant were two of nine peole who got tragically killed in a helicopter crash. The incident happened in late January, while both Laker star and her daughter were on their way back to academy.

A statement issued by the Sports academy is as followed :

Academy also emphasised that the sports academy will continue to follow its same Misson.

“New Name, Same Misson”

Apart from Kobe and Gianna, seven others who were killed in the helicopter crash with them, includes,  Ara Zobayan, John Altobelli, his wife, Keri Altobelli, thier daughter Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Payton Chester and Sarah Chester.

In February, a public memorial service was held for all nine victims.

A lawsuit for wrongful death was also filed by Vanessa Bryant against the company that owned the helicopter, in reply to which a response has also been issued by the representative of the helicopter pilot, earlier this week.

The court document was filed by Berge Zobayan as response in the superior court of California, county of Los Angeles on may 8. The statement reads as follows, ” answering defendant bears no responsibility” and alleged as one affirmative defense that the “injuries or damages”  were caused “in full or in part by the negligence or fault” of the plaintiffs and/or their decedent.

As of now, the lawsuit is still pending.