BRYANT'S SONG: KOBE INKS WITH UPPER DECK, STAYS ONLINE

          CA-based Upper Deck has signed Lakers G Kobe Bryant to
     an exclusive, multi-year marketing deal, under which the
     company will produce and distribute trading cards, game-worn
     memorabilia and collectibles bearing Bryant's autograph and
     will use his likeness in ads, packaging and promotional
     materials, according to to BECKETT INSIDER.  Upper Deck will
     sponsor Olimpia Milano, the Italian pro basketball team of
     which Bryant is co-Owner (BECKETT INSIDER, 2/9 issue).  USA
     TODAY's Jill Lieber profiles Bryant in a Sports Cover Story. 
     His agent, SFX Sports Group's Arn Tellem, said, "His goal --
     and I never thought it would happen this quickly -- was to
     move from a celebrity endorser/spokesperson to having an
     ownership in the companies in which he has an interest or a
     passion."  Bryant is also "writing a personal, thrice-weekly
     journal for his kobebryant.com Web site," which receives
     "about 5 million hits a month" (USA TODAY, 2/10).