article link Kobe to Italy? Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff August 8, 2008 12:37 AM By Marc J. Spears Globe Staff BEIJING - If Italy comes knocking with big money next summer, the NBA could lose its biggest star in Kobe Bryant. In lieu of a report that Cleveland star LeBron James would strongly consider playing in Europe for $50 million for one season when he becomes a free agent in two years, when asked by The Boston Globe about the report Bryant said he would take a similar deal by a pro team in Italy if offered when he becomes a free agent next summer. Such would be a devestating loss for the NBA since the Los Angeles Lakers star is the NBA's Most Valuable Player last season and considered its most popular player. The Associated Press originally reported that Bryant could have interest in playing professionally in Europe. "I'd go. I'd probably go", said Bryant, during a USA Basketball press conference on Friday morning. "Like Milan or something like that, where I grew up or something like that. Peace out." Bryant continued: "Do you know any reasonable person that would turn down 50 (million dollars)?" Bryant spent a large part of his childhood growing up in Italy while his father, Joe, played professional basketball there and speaks fluent Italian. In 1999, the 10-time NBA All-Star also acquired a 50 percent ownership of the Olimpia Milano of the Italian Professional Basketball League. "Because I grew up in Italy it has more significance to me because I'm more familiar with it, I've been there and I still have friends there", said Bryant, a three-time NBA champion. "I'm thinking about buying a house out there. It would be nothing to me to be able to do that." ESPN.com reported that a person close to James said Tuesday that the Cavaliers' superstar would strongly consider playing overseas if he was offered a salary of "around $50 million a year." ESPN also reported that Russia CSKA Moscow and Greece Olympiacos have already contacted James, but nothing has been discussed monetarily. Considering the Euro versus the American dollar and that European teams have no salary cap, a contract paying $50 million American wouldn't be out the realm of possibility. -30-
My only problem is, if someone like Kobe goes to Europe for a few seasons, any team who wins an NBA championship while they are away will be talked about by the ESPN robots and casual fans as the "team that won the year Kobe was in Europe." I think we all know how that works.
This tells me Kobe realizes he has no realistic chance of sniffing GOAT status or even sharing co-GOAT status with MJ. Good for him. Maybe he can come here and inform some of our younger members and some of the older haters. I can somewhat understand his decision because he grew up in Italy and obviously loves the country. Lebron is a different story. Playing out a portion of his prime years in the Euro league will damage his claim as an all time great. Besides, how much money does he need? Does $50 million more really matter when you are already worth $500 million (at least)? Greed.
Whichever superstar or "megastar" that goes to Europe first will have the "first mover advantage" and could be in for a huge windfall besides the ridiculous salary. The fascination and coverage by both the American and European media would be unbelievably huge. Off the charts! In fact, Nike might be pleased in the end. If you ask me, Kobe going to Europe next summer would be the perfect scenario. As more players do it, the novelty will wear off but the "first mover" won't be forgotten and will have a special place in history. Josh Childress isn't big enough to qualify. Kobe would be perfect.
I wish they'd stop with these dumb articles. Lebron and Kobe can cavalierly proclaim they'd go to Europe for $50 million, because they know no one would offer it.
Idiotic article, nobody in Italy will ever offer him that kind of money considering the low popularity of the sport here. Boykins signed like 3.5M$ per year BEFORE taxes and he's the highest payed player in the league. 50M$ is like the payroll of the first three teams combined...
Thank you for being realistic. It's so easy for these guys to say "oh yeah, sure....I would go there.....FOR $50 MILLION" because they know nobody outside of the United States would offer them that much. As players who are trying to establish themselves as GLOBAL icons, they are simply being doing the smart thing by saying, "Sure, I would consider any serious offer that comes my way.....even from a European team."
If European teams start throwing $50mil/year offers around, the NBA will have no choice but to abandon the current CBA and open things up -- or otherwise face disastrous consequences. This ultimately portends ominously for us fans -- when that happens, ticket and merchandise prices are going to double or even triple.
i thought it was tax-free if you live overseas.. i'm not familiar with the tax issues maybe someone can clarify
i guess the saying is true then.. the only thing guaranteed is death and tax .. thanks for the clarification
The only players the NBA is at risk of losing are rookies. A Euro team could entice the 'next Lebron' with a better then he could get in the NBA type contract. The USFL did it with herschell walker (i think), the WHL did it with Wayne Gretzky. The rookie cap makes that at least conceivable. $50M for Kobe or Lebron just ain't going to happen.
