Sport
Kobe Bryant gets offer from Italian team
The Italian team Virtus Bologna says its top offer to Kobe Bryant (pictured), is a one-year contract worth US$5 million.
With NBA players locked out, Virtus hopes the Los Angeles Lakers star agrees to a deal before he arrives in Italy this week for a tour arranged by one of his sponsors.
“An Italian brand well known around the world” is prepared to provide cash for the deal, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday, indicating the unidentified company is not Bologna’s main sponsor, Canadian Solar.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations are ongoing, said the other offers on the table include a two-month deal worth nearly US$2 million, a one-month contract for US$1.3 million or US$900,000 for only one game.
The person said there have been nightly conference calls between Bryant’s agent, Rob Pelinka, and Bologna President Claudio Sabatini.
The Turkish club Besiktas and at least one team in China have also expressed interest in the 33-year-old Bryant, who has won five NBA championships and been an All-Star 13 times.
Bryant’s father, Joe Bryant, played in Italy with Rieti, Reggio Calabria, Pistoia and Reggiana from 1984-91. The elder Bryant now coaches the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA.
Virtus also recently reached out to Manu Ginobili, who played with Bologna before joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2002. Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari rejoined his former Italian club Olimpia Milano last week.
Other NBA players are also committing to play in leagues outside the United States.
Nuggets free agents Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith plan to play in China, Denver’s Ty Lawson will play in Lithuania and New Jersey Nets All-Star Deron Williams signed with Besiktas.
