Spurs' Parker preps for post-NBA future in France

PARIS—Tony Parker packed his bags for three months -- just in case the NBA lockout lasts that long.

Farewell, San Antonio, and hello Villeurbanne. The Spurs star will play for peanuts in France and he's dipped into his own, admittedly deep, pockets to pay for his own insurance, too.

So why bother? Because Parker is taking a long view. Having worked alongside the likes of San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, Parker plans a management role for himself, too, in his post-NBA future.

Boss Parker. Has a good ring to it.

Rather than fritter away the next few weeks or months -- however long the NBA labor dispute lasts -- Parker will invest his time in the French club he partly owns, Asvel, based in Villeurbanne in the city of Lyon, one of the food capitals of the world.

He will play for minimum wage: $2,000 a month. But he'll also get valuable hands-on front-office experience working alongside club president Gilles Moretton. Asked if this was something of a business internship for him, Parker said: "Exactly, exactly."