With NBA stars flirting with the opportunity to play in China during the NBA lockout, the action may be interpreted as a middle-finger in the face of NBA owners. On the other hand, the league may actually benefit from sales of licensed merchandise as well as an expense-free test market for their product in the world’s most over-populated country.
The Los Angeles Times and the New York Daily News reported that the L.A. Lakers Kobe Bryant has shown interest in playing on teams that would compete in exhibition games in Shanghai with Armare Stoudemire.
There has been other speculation that players of less caliber (and salary) have talked about crashing the party of teams overseas to make a living if the lockout extends into the regular season. These guys may not have the nest eggs that Kobe or Amare do so it’s a little more understandable.
Although Bryant and Stoudemire are probably not in dire need, they love competition and as business people they may be looking for life after their careers in the NBA are done. In fact Kobe bought a half-interest in a basketball team in Italy and has mentioned relocating his family there in the future. He also inked a deal with Mercedes Benz to be the face for the Smart car ads in China.
Bryant is approaching 33 years of age and his next season will be his 16th in the NBA.
Loyalty is not a word that fits during labor riffs at times. Sometimes it’s every businessman for himself but it’s hard to imagine the NBA doesn’t love the idea of showcasing its brand in China without having to pay the overhead.
Used with permission of the author.
Paula Duffy is a national sports columnist for Examiner.com and the Huffington Post and regularly comments on sports/legal matters for radio affiliates of ESPN and Fox Sports. She founded the sports information site, Incidental Contact, is the author of a line of audio books designed for sports novices and in her spare time practices law in Los Angeles.
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