Representatives for Kobe Bryant and Italian basketball team Virtus Bologna are “working very intensely” to bring the Los Angeles Lakers star to Italy during the NBA lockout, according to a joint statement released Monday.
“Reaching such a complex deal requires both sides’ maximum attention for every detail,” reads the statement. “Everyone wants a positive outcome to the deal, the goal of which is Kobe Bryant’s presence in Italy, economic interests for the 17 clubs in Serie A and more attention for all of Italian basketball.”
The Associated Press reported last week that Bryant, 33, reached a verbal agreement with Virtus Bologna that included a $3 million contract for 40 days of the Italian league season. However, the agreement is dependent on getting some of Italy’s other clubs to agree to move their schedules – with the aim of ensuring Bologna have five home games during Bryant’s 10-game contract.
The AP also reported that the agreement would allow Bryant to return to LA once NBA play resumed.
Bryant, who lived in Italy with his father between the age of six and 13, referred to Italy as “home,” in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport last week.
“It's where my dream of playing in the NBA started,” he added. “This is where I learned the fundamentals, learned to shoot, to pass and to (move) without the ball.”
The Los Angeles Lakers would have held court with the media Monday before officially beginning training camp. However, labor talks persist in the NBA lockout that has now dragged on for more than three months.
No comments:
Post a Comment