Kobe plays coy when asked about owning sports team

It appears sports ownership could be in Kobe Bryant's future plans.

The Los Angeles Lakers great was asked Thursday during an appearance on CNBC about purchasing a team, and while he declined to discuss the subject, he did hint at it being a possibility.

"I'll let (business partner Jeff Stibel) answer the question, 'cause I don't want myself into hot water yet," Bryant said (around the six-minute mark).

Bryant went on to explain that he and Stibel want to make "smart decisions" and they'll "look at opportunities as they present themselves and go from there."

Bryant dismissed the idea of owning a team during an interview with Slam's Tzvi Twersky in March, saying, "I don't want to be a GM. I don't want to own a team. I don't want to coach. I have no interest in any of that."

However, he has previously expressed an interest in becoming an owner.

Bryant and Stibel launched a $100-million venture capital fund in 2016 and have invested in multiple businesses together, including The Players' Tribune and video game design firm Scopely.