Kobe Bryant is already filthy rich. Now, he's filthy-stinking rich. Friday, Bryant signed a 3-year, $90 million dollar extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, keeping him with the team until the 2013 - 14 season. The deal begins after next season. Bryant is already earning $23 million this year and is expected to receive another $24 million dollars next year.
"It's very rare to have a player play his entire career in one city, so I'm very excited," said Bryant.
When he was asked if this would be his last contract (he will be 35 when this deal expires), Bryant said, "I doubt it, but it's possible."
After signing Bryant and 7-foot center Pau Gasol, the Lakers have achieved their two greatest objectives. General Manager Mitch Kupchak said that Gasol's signing was a factor in getting Bryant to re-sign with the team.
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Beauties and Ballers
Game On! La La Vazquez and Carmelo Anthony
This 'Charm School' judge and her younger beau, NBA star Anthony, are engaged and have a son. Ever the supportive fiancee, La La braves rude b-ball fans to support him at games.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images
AFP
BlackVoices.com
Beauties and Ballers
Game On! Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom
L.A. socialite meets L.A. Laker -- the rest is history. The lovebirds, who have only been dating for about a month, are rumored to be engaged. Does a penchant for athletes run in Khloe's family?
Beauties and Ballers
Game Over. Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush
Did the paparazzi hound this buxom reality star and her New Orleans Saints boyfriend too much? Or maybe she got a little too chatty about their relationship -- she told Tyra he buys her tampons.
Beauties and Ballers
Game On! Keyshia Cole and Daniel Gibson
In early 2009, the Cleveland Cavalier confessed he had a crush on R&B singer Cole. Soon thereafter, the two made their relationship public.
Beauties and Ballers
Game On! La La Vazquez and Carmelo Anthony
This 'Charm School' judge and her younger beau, NBA star Anthony, are engaged and have a son. Ever the supportive fiancee, La La braves rude b-ball fans to support him at games.
Beauties and Ballers
Game On! T-Boz and Takeo Spikes
No scrubs for TLC's T-Boz. She's been spending a lot of time with Buffalo Bill's linebacker Takeo Spikes lately...
Beauties and Ballers
Game Over. Chilli and Larry Johnson
Chilli and this Kansas City Chiefs star were seen walking hand in hand at the beginning of the summer, but it seems the hot romance didn't last the season.
Beauties and Ballers
Game Over. Tyra Banks and Chris Webber
The unlucky-in-love ex-model and the handsome ex-NBAer called it quits in 2004 after dating for three years. Miss Tyra later hinted on her talk show that his wandering eye had cursed their union.
Beauties and Ballers
Game On! David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
Soccer and spice was the winning combination for footballer David Beckham and his Spice Girl-turned-fashion-plate wife, Victoria. These Brits are easily the fiercest couple in sports.
Beauties and Ballers
Game On! Eva Longoria Parker and Tony Parker
This busy actress is no 'Desperate Housewife' to her husband, basketball player Tony Parker, but the Mexican-American beauty and her French-born man are clearly in love.
Beauties and Ballers
Game On! Meagan Good and Thomas Jones
Her trademark skimpy clothes might attract a lot of attention, but sultry actress Meagan Good only has eyes for NJ Jets running back Thomas Jones.
Beauties and Ballers
Kobe has come a long way since the the sexual assault case 7-years ago which almost ruined his career. His brand was depleted and Bryant was terribly unpopular among NBA fans. But through persistence and good behavior, Bryant once again finds himself among the NBA's elite. In 2008, Bryant was named MVP of the NBA and in 2009, his LA Lakers won the title.
Kobe can be commended for having the discipline necessary to focus and elevate himself back to the top. Tiger Woods may want to also channel some of Bryant's focus as he overcomes his own sex scandal. One motto that is typically true in all of sport is "If you win, we forgive all sin." Kobe has learned this and Tiger Woods will figure this out as well.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (6)
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By: jamarcus on 4/04/2010 9:15PM
Why are we celebrating this as such an achievement? This will cause more young blacks to waste time trying to be athletes and musicians when in reality, the odds are astronomical against becoming the next Kobe. Dr B should encourage young blacks to become engineers, teachers, doctors, pharmacists, etc, or employable trades rather than be an athlete since these careers will have more impact on society versus who cares about NBA basketball.
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By: wayne on 4/05/2010 12:41PM
This is very good,just think if he gave $10,000,000 to HBCU to help our youth become doctors teachers lawyers and other great things
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By: marilynn on 4/08/2010 6:23PM
That would be a blessing Wayne but most likely rare. If every blaack man or woman did that not even 10 mill just pay for one kid to go to school and not be like me paying for student loans and working on my Ma and racking up more. Each one of us need to lend and teach one of us then we could make some noise and add up to be that great race we were destined to be.
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By: ADRIAN HARRIS OF SOUTH GEORGIA on 4/09/2010 5:43AM
IT'S EVIDENT TO SEE THAT, LIKE ALL SUCESSFUL PRO'S, MR. BRYANT HAD AND STILL REFUSES TO GIVE UP THE 7 THINGS THAT MAKES HIM WHAT HE IS. (1)LEADERSHIP (2)WORK ETHIC (3)RESOLVE (4)TOUGHNESS (5)MATURITY (6)TEAMWORK (7)CHARACTER. COMBINE THESE WITH LOVE AND AMBITION AND THAT TOWARD AND FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN AND YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU'LL WIN BIG IN ANYTHING. REMEMBER; GOD'S GONG TO LOVE YOU ANYWAY!!! BYE SEPIA PEOPLE!!! $255,000,000 DOLLARS A YEAR TO OUR HBCU'S. IS THE BIG O-MAN(OBAMA) WITH US OR NOT!!! THANK YOU GOD!!! WE NEED MORE!!! BYE!! NEXT TIME!!!
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By: Farah on 7/02/2010 4:03AM
I'm looking for a job,, so i asking if Kobee Bryan wants someone to teach his daughters French.
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By: Farah on 7/02/2010 4:05AM
Hi my name is Farah. I'm looking for a job,,, so i wanted to ask Kobe and his wife,, if you are looking for someone to teach your children french as a second language. I used to work in Montessori, and i live in Irvine. If,, you need more information please let me know. I have 2 children, on girl 9 years and one boy 5 years. I just need a job, and i enjoy teaching children. I stoped working because, i wanted a part time job.
Thank you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
FARAH M.
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