Kobe Bryant Signs in Italy

All summer, we’ve heard rumors of Kobe Bryant signing in Europe to play basketball during the NBA lockout. On Friday, those rumors became reality when Kobe Bryant agreed to join Virtus Bologna. The Italian league team will pay the Los Angeles Lakers superstar $3 million to play a total of ten games over 40 days.

Although Kobe Bryant hasn’t yet signed anything, sources indicated that a verbal agreement has been made. This coming week, he’s expected to fly to Bologna and ink the deal.

For Lakers fans, this is scary news. Kobe Bryant is 33 years old and has a ton of wear and tear on his body. Everyone with the Lakers would love for him to rest rather than play in a competitive league.

As for Virtus Bologna, they have to be ecstatic. They landed arguably the most popular player in the world. All in all, the $3 million price tag is cheap for the exposure that Kobe Bryant will bring the team.

Kobe Bryant to Virtus Bologna of Italian league basketball (Image: TSN.ca)