Now here’s an interesting twist in NBA player signings and one that brings new meaning to the expression “business affairs.”
In following a model first tested by Beşiktaş in the signing of Deron Williams, Virtus Roma is pursuing Andrea Bargnani with at least two offers – a three-month deal and a full-season contract pending resurrection of the 2011-12 NBA season – and proposing a new sponsor to help defray the locked out Toronto Raptor’s insurance costs.
That sponsor? AshleyMadison.com, a website with the slogan “Life is short. Have affairs” and status as “The world’s leading married dating service for discreet encounters.”
According to Italy-based La Stampa, such a sponsorship deal was first proposed two weeks ago, with management holding back on moving forward due to “ethical problems” – problems which apparently have dissipated a bit with the prospect of the NBA lockout dragging on.
Ashley Madison founder Noel Biderman was quoted in La Stampa as confirming a deal in the making: “I met with Virtus Roma [officials] and we are in talks for a major sponsorship and Andrea Bargnani’s return to Italy. This is very important for an investment of around €1.5 million.” This figure is worth approximately US $2.05 million.
Long-time Roma sponsor Benetton will also be included in further negotiations with Bargnani and/or AshleyMadison.com.
La Stampa also claims that Kobe Bryant is getting closer to signing with Virtus Bologna, with the current plan calling for the Los Angeles Laker to play three games between October 27 and November 1.
