Panayiotis and George Angelopoulos, the billionaire brothers who run Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, which signed former Hawks forward Josh Childress in the offseason, are just beginning their pursuit of NBA talent, The New York Times reported:
No one in N.B.A. circles is laughing because Olympiacos, with a $70 million operating budget, could be in the free-agent market. Angelopoulos rattled off players with whom he has negotiated in the past three years: Chris Webber, Michael Finley, James Posey, Anthony Parker, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Parker, Charlie Bell, Ricky Davis, Janerro Pargo and Maurice Evans. Although none are current N.B.A. stars, they all have or had an impact on N.B.A. rosters.
When Childress signed with Olympiacos, buzz built in the blogosphere about a player like Kobe Bryant or LeBron James playing in Europe. While it is unlikely, because there are only a half-dozen European teams that have the budgets to even consider players the caliber of Bryant or James, Angelopoulos said he expected stars to migrate.
"I think we'll see a day when a superstar player comes to Europe, but to Olympiacos, not to another team," he said. "That is my answer. Maybe it will be very soon. Maybe then you realize what I'm telling you is serious."
Asked the maximum he would pay a free agent, Angelopoulos said: "I will not tell you. I have already made my investigation into the free-agent market for next year. Even if Josh decides to go back, we'll be ready."
• Greek Club Is Eager to Sign N.B.A. Stars (The New York Times)
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NBA players would be foolish to not consider such an option, esp. second-tier "superstars" and younger players. Get treated like royalty, no expenses coming out of your paycheck, owners paying the necessary taxes, travel Europe on someone else's dime. They could play a few years overseas, then come back to the NBA (if they want) and make the big bank. What's the downside?
GoForthAndDie
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Ok... there's gonna be a huge discrepancy here if European clubs want to make it so... and Olympiakos is making that jump. There's a difference between being rich, and being wealthy. Team owners in this country are rich, bordering wealthy. These dudes in Europe are wealthy, and have been so for generations. Old money. Old money and great exchange rate.
BuffaloTF
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