Bologna find sponsor to fund Bryant move

Bologna president Claudio Sabatini claims to have found a sponsor capable of funding a big-money move for NBA star Kobe Bryant on a short-term contract. Bologna have offered the Los Angeles Lakers scoring guard $800,000 net to play in their first three home games of the new season. And although Sabatini didn't reveal who the sponsor is, he said the money was there. "We have a sponsor supporting us. It's an Italian company that's known all over the world," he said. "We will soon have a meeting but I can't tell you any more." Originally Bologna wanted to sign the 33-year-old on a short-term deal but due to the NBA lock-out they are also looking at an option for the whole season, according to reports. If NBA teams and players don't find a resolution to their dispute and the 2011/12 season is cancelled, Bologna are looking at finding $5-million to bring Bryant to Italy. "It's a huge gamble but I want to try right to the end. I'm an optimist even if there we're aiming very high," added Sabatini. In any case, Bryant will be in Italy next week with his sponsor Nike, spending a day in Milan and another in Rome. Bryant actually spent seven years growing up in Italy when his father Joe "Jellybean" Bryant moved there to continue his playing career having left the Houston Rockets in 1983. "I don't think we'll have any news within the next week, not least because to finalise the contract, which will be like a bible, you need several days," added Sabatini, who is said to have received encouragement from Bryant's agent Rob Pelinka. Bryant is a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers and was named MVP in 2008. He has made the All-Star team 13 times, missing out only once since 1998.