Back in November of last year, the Los Angeles Lakers made a bold and somewhat questionable move by signing Kobe Bryant to a lucrative two-year contract extension.
Kobe had yet to return to the floor after suffering the Achilles injury the season before with a lot of uncertainty surrounding his future. Regardless of whether he’d be the same player, the Lakers locked him up anyway with an extension worth $48.5 million.
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With Kobe going down with a second consecutive season-ending injury this year, the contract extension continues to look like a bad investment in the eyes of many. Despite that being the case, Lakers president Jeanie Buss sticks by the deal saying the following during a seminar for UCLA Institute of Molecular Medicine according to the Daily Bruin:
“(Bryant) was a great investment for the organization,” Buss said. “To me, he is worth every dime that we’re paying him, and we’re going to have the opportunity to show how much we appreciate everything he’s done.”
Although many have criticized the franchise for re-signing Bryant with such an enormous contract, the fact is Kobe brings in a lot of revenue for this team on an annual basis. The 35-year-old may have an uncertain future ahead, but the merchandise continues to fly off the shelves with the superstar in the fold.
Not only is Kobe a global brand who is highly marketable, but his presence will almost certainly continue to fill the Staples Center on a nightly basis over the next two seasons.
From a business perspective, Kobe is worth his weight in gold. Only time will tell if the new contract will pay off with his play on the basketball floor as well.
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