Now that FIBA has cleared the way for locked out NBA players to take their talents overseas there remains but the formality of negotiating. There has been plenty of speculation as to whether or not Kobe Bryant will be among those that seek a European pay check should the lockout threaten the regular season.
Today could be the day Bryant officially takes the Euro plunge.
Bryant is scheduled to meet with team officials from Turkish club Besiktas today. Currently Bryant’s chances of playing in Turkey are reported to be 50-50. But that could all change today.
As fate would have it Bryant is participating in a charity soccer event being sponsored by Turkish Airlines. Bryant is under contract as a pitch man for the same airline which is what makes today’s meeting so interesting.
Currently Besiktas is dealing with a max fixing controversy in the Turkish soccer league that has but a hold on all of the club’s bank accounts. The basketball club would need to secure outside funding in order to meet Bryant’s contractual demands rumored to be in the $1-million a month neighborhood.
The perfect storm could occur if Turkish Airlines – sure to have a representative of some kind at the meeting – decides to cough up a nice sum of cash to whet Bryant’s appetite.
If Bryant does in fact make the pact with Besiktas he’ll be joining Deron Williams who pioneered this entire Euro fad during the lockout.