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I agree with #8

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First, I'm not a Kobe fan, That Said, I don't think this is something Kobe has created directly. As they say, "He has people." Most likely, if he is guilty of anything it's giving to much control of his image and marketability to others. I think we all can imagine a bunch of suits selling this idea to him. We live in a capitalist society and there are very, very few Buddha-like Americans. It's easy to say that YOU would say enough is enough after a certain amount of money is made, but how true is that? Also, there is a major flaw in some of your comments. You assume you know him. Trust me you don't He could be a even worse than your words say or better. This is the same mentality that others use when the decide they know who or possible what black people are. I must also mention that Kobe makes less of Kobe than The Lakers or Sponsors do. So, why shouldn't he try and cash in on himself, when others are? This is related to the argument about the lack of Black owners in pro-sports. EVERYONE PAYS TO BE A FAN! YOU buy tickets... You are marketed to by various companies who sponsor him. Kobe is a product (image)...He also sells a product (skills). If fans didn't pay to be fans, athletes and all other entertainers would be broke.

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I am not against anyone making profit from their "brand"; however, Kobe Bryant's website is a means to perpetuate his brand, to enhance his grossly tarnished image and to accelerate positive feelings about him as a MAN. Many celebrities have websites -- celebrities with greater stature and prestige than Kobe; however, the vast majority of those celebrities do not charge a membership fee because they realize that their websites keep their names in front of their public and validates their stardom -- engendering good feelings and support for them as a celebrity. Kobe's brush with the law still haunts him. Remember, this is a man who was supposed to have a stellar career as an endorser of consumer products. He was compared to Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. However, since his court case, no major consumer product is willing to touch Kobe with a 10-foot pole. Polishing up his image through websites, engagement in charitable events and organization, and being seen enjoying his fans --graciously signing autographs -- can only help to propel Kobe back into a semblance of a hero worthy of his fans adoration. It's to his advantage to have easy access to his website, where he has control of his image and the verbiage that is used descriptively of him and his family.

In my opinion, Kobe is the last celebrity who should be asking for an entrance fee to his website, and if his handlers are the ones who thought that this was a bright idea, well Kobe needs to interject his opinion, flex his star-studded-muscles, and tell them that he is outraged by the thought of charging his fans.

Quite frankly, Kobe would have more earning power on his web by not charging a fee. Once the fan is allowed to browse through the many souvenirs offerings, they would be firing up their charge cards to purchase t-shirts, sweats, mugs, and anything else that is offered for purchase. Charging his fans makes Kobe look even more class-less than he is.

I'm just saying...

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Some things never cease to amaze.I guess he trying to get back the money he had to pay to stay out of jail from sexually assulting a teenager in Colorado.

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Girls, watch out for that trouser snake of his....

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Well, you get a shirt, you could think of it as a 50 dollar shirt.

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