On the surface, it seems like a kind, tender gesture by the WSOP.
Dr. Jerry Buss, beloved Lakers owner and poker enthusiast, passed away this year in February.
The WSOP invited Lakers star Kobe Bryant to play the WSOP Main Event, in Jerry's place. It was not clear if they were offering to comp his buyin. I actually hope they weren't, because it would annoy me that a basketball player making $20 million per year gets a comped buyin while I have to pay my own $10k.
Anyway, Kobe declined, supposedly because he will be recovering from surgery. I think the real reason is that Kobe just doesn't enjoy poker, knows he isn't good at it, and wouldn't want the media spotlight on his poor play.
Here is an article about it: http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-n...ss/2013/06/11/
I actually believe this is a self-serving move by the WSOP.
Wait... what?!
Self-serving?
How could such a kind gesture honoring Dr. Buss be self-serving?
Well, let's say Kobe had accepted.
Can you imagine the publicity that the WSOP would get? Not only would this bring good will, but they would also probably get additional entrants who are hoping to play poker with a current NBA superstar.
And how would Buss benefit from this? The simple answer is that he wouldn't, other than perhaps people talking about him again and remembering what a great guy he was. (And, for the record, I think Jerry Buss was a great NBA owner, a brilliant entrepreneur, and a good person.) But it wouldn't really do very much for him otherwise. It's not like the WSOP would donate money to his favorite charity if Kobe agreed to play, and it's not like Kobe would have much of a chance of cashing (thus removing any benefit of the winnings going to charity).
Anyway, gotta give credit to the WSOP for this clever publicity stunt. If this was Seth Palansky's idea, he's earning his keep these days. They still came out looking good, even with Kobe declining.