In 2010, Kobe Bryant was in London for a Los Angeles Lakers pre-season game at the famed O2 Arena.

As one of Nike’s most high-profile global athletes, the brand commissioned an exclusive live event for Foot Locker competition winners, designed to create a memorable, authentic fan experience around one of the most recognisable figures in world sport.

The centrepiece of the event was a live, on-stage interview with Bryant, which I conducted in front of an audience of approximately 100 invited guests.

My Role

Nike commissioned me to host and lead the live interview based on my deep basketball knowledge and experience of interviewing high-profile public figures.

My responsibilities included:

• Researching and preparing the interview structure and questions
• Hosting and moderating a 15-minute on-stage conversation with Kobe Bryant
• Opening the discussion to live audience questions and managing the flow of the event
• Ensuring the tone balanced insight, authenticity and accessibility
• Conducting the interview in a way that was confident, informed and controlled

Outcome

One of Bryant’s answers during the interview was captured on video and subsequently went viral, generating more than two million views on YouTube and being replayed across US television networks over several days.

The event demonstrated the value of informed, editorially led live interviewing in brand environments - creating moments that resonate far beyond the room and deliver lasting visibility.

Nike had previously hired me the year before to host a similar live interview event in London with LeBron James, as part of his More Than a Game world tour.