God of NBA point guards

Chapter 495 The New Owner of Bench 154, New York Central Company

Zhou Quan and Zeng Li returned to Seattle.

Next, he will strengthen his golf training in addition to boxing training, and will participate in the PGA Tour and some other professional events in November.

But the specific situation depends on the arrangements for the boxing match. What he wants to do most is to unify the heavyweights of the four major boxing organizations. If a boxing match and a golf match meet, the boxing match must be the main one.If the unification battle is completed, then golf will be the main focus.

Philip stayed in New York and continued to negotiate with Don King and Arum for a rematch.

On October 10, NBA teams began pre-sale of season tickets for the new season.

The season ticket pricing of each team for the new season is about 15% lower than last season. This is also a decision made after negotiation between the league and the team.

Of course, 15% is not fixed and depends on the market of each team.

Big teams have seen less reductions, and three teams have actually increased their season ticket prices. The Lakers have increased their season ticket prices by 2%, the Knicks have increased by 3%, and the Bulls have increased by 5%.

The SuperSonics only dropped 5%, while other small teams all dropped around 20%.

On October 10th, the NBA preseason begins.

After the major purges, the management of each NBA team has changed a lot of people, and the league headquarters has changed even more people, and the proportion of black people has increased significantly.

Even under David Stern's wishes, the league headquarters hired some Chinese employees.

After the start of the preseason, the NBA also began to invest money in publicity, hoping to wash away the negative impact of racial discrimination last time.

At the New York headquarters, a president's meeting was held on the 14th.

David Stern looks very bad because as of today, the league's situation is not optimistic.

The regular season hasn't started yet, and the ratings can't be talked about yet. It's expected to have a big drop compared to last season's regular season. He just hopes now that it won't drop too sharply.

However, the overseas market has been depleted by [-]% to [-]%, especially the overseas television broadcast business. Copyright sales are far inferior to last year. The same is true for jersey sales. Operating income has plummeted and overseas promotion has stagnated.

In addition, the season ticket sales that have started a week are not ideal, and based on the price reduction, they are far less than last season.Fortunately, it’s only been a week, so there’s still time.

"Gentlemen, there are four topics for today's meeting. First, we need to bring out a few new stars to fill the popularity vacancy after Iron Fist retires. Michael Jordan is also old. We need to prepare in advance. We need to create new ones. Signboard." Stern said at this time.

"Philadelphia's Allen Iverson is okay, he's very popular, and he was at the top when he debuted."

"Grant Hill should be able to push up."

"To be popular, you must have a record. For the King of Iron Fist to stand out, he must first have a record. He can be popular only after he has a record. Now, whether it's Philadelphia or the Pistons, their records are not good, and the digital team can't even make the playoffs. When I go in, my record is in shambles, how can I praise him?"

"What should I do?"

"That can also be praised. Jordan entered the league in 84 and won the championship in his seventh season in 91. Not everyone is lucky enough to win the championship in his second season."

At this time, David Stern interrupted everyone's discussion and said: "Second, the slogan of anti-racial discrimination must be erected. Our NBA league must be the vanguard of anti-racial discrimination and strive to attract the return of Iron Fist.

We have now gone through a major purge, and Iron Fist must have breathed a sigh of relief. As long as we persist, there will be hope. "

Everyone nodded, but no one objected.

Stern added: "Third, the regular season is about to begin, and I'm very worried about the ratings. More small teams are likely to suffer losses this season, and this won't work.

I propose that each team’s regional broadcast fees should be handed over to the league, and then distributed uniformly by the league. "

After hearing the last suggestion, everyone looked at each other.

This proposal is aimed at teams in big ball markets. Only those big ball markets have high regional broadcast revenue, such as the Lakers, Knicks, Bulls, SuperSonics and other teams. Stern wants to win in these big ball markets. I'll give him a knife, I'm afraid there will be difficulties.

Stern was actually just informing that he had made a decision and would hold a boss meeting soon to discuss the issue.

Even if it doesn't work well this season, it must be done next season, because the new TV broadcast contract will be implemented next season, the league's income will drop, it will be more difficult for small teams to survive, and big teams must give blood to the team. , otherwise the small teams will not be able to sustain themselves, and the big teams will not fare well.

At this time, he said: "The last one, the current labor agreement has expired, we have to conduct new labor negotiations, and we have to be prepared.

The players definitely want to increase the salary cap, but the new TV broadcast contract is only [-] million. With operating income plummeting, our salary cap can only go down and cannot go up. Therefore, this labor negotiation will be very difficult. Everyone must Be mentally prepared. "

"What should we do? It won't stop, right?"

"It's possible that those players are greedy and will definitely demand an increase in the salary cap."

"But our operating income has plummeted, and we have so much money, there is no basis for raising the salary cap."

"The players don't care. They will only ask the league to give up part of the benefits to them. The bankruptcy of the league is probably not among their considerations."

"I think it is difficult to lower the salary cap. The salary caps of the other three major leagues are rising every year. If we lower it, who will be willing to participate in our draft in the future? Good young people from the NCAA will join the other three major leagues."

"I think the current salary cap should be maintained."

"Damn Hughes Blake, he killed the league with just one word."

"He's been sleeping on the street for a long time. I heard Adam Silver is dying too. They can't find a job at all."

"Deserved!"

Everyone was talking a lot, and Stern was also worried and a little confused.

……

On the evening of the 17th, Zhang Lili made a call from China.

"Zhou Quan, I'm planning to hold a basketball youth training camp in China. What do you think?"

"It's a good thing, do you want to sponsor it?"

Zhou Quan knew that Zhang Lili had little money, otherwise he wouldn't have divorced.

"Haha! You can give me whatever you want. I can guarantee that I won't spend any money indiscriminately. I will use it all on the training camp."

"I believe this. Where are you going to do it?"

"Originally, I planned to do it in Hainan. Now that you are sponsoring it, I plan to do it in Changsha to borrow your influence."

Zhou Quan thinks it's okay. Under his influence, Changsha's basketball has developed well in recent years. He has also donated a lot of basketball equipment to Changsha's primary and secondary schools, and maybe he can unearth a few good prospects.

……

On the 20th, Philip returned to the United States from the UK and returned to Seattle the next day.

"Zhou, we haven't met Herbie Hyde and Lewis, but we have been in contact with Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren. After two talks, they both rejected the unification war. Things are a bit troublesome." Zhou Quan also had a headache. Asked: "If you fight with me and earn at least more than [-] million US dollars, don't they want it?"

Philip smiled bitterly and said: "If you win against Tyson, you will win. In fact, it will not only hit Tyson, but also people like Lewis. They are very jealous of you now."

Zhou Quan was speechless, do you want me to delay for a few more rounds?
Philip said: "What Tang Jin means is to launch a public opinion war and force them to fight you."

Zhou Quan shook his head and said: "I am a boxer. It is your promoter's responsibility and job to promote it. You don't need to tell me what to do."

Phillip smiled and nodded.

The next day, some American media broke the news that Lewis and Herbie Head, the current heads of IBF and WBO, rejected the unification fight offered to them by the Iron Fist King.

"Cowardly British, they are afraid of fighting the Iron Fist King." Los Angeles Daily News.

"In order to keep his title, the famous British boxing champion Lewis hid in a castle like a coward." The Seattle Times.

"Faced with the unification war launched by the Iron Fist King, the British chose to surrender!" Detroit Daily News.

These news were immediately reprinted and reported by many British media, and countless British people also knew about it. Both Lewis and Herbie Hyde felt the pressure.

"Frank, Tyson lost to the Iron Fist King because his strength is no longer at its peak. I don't necessarily lose." Lewis made a phone call to his agent and promoter Frank Warren.

"Lennox, don't get excited. You have to know that you are one year older than Tyson. You are 32 years old and 7 years older than the Iron Fist King." Frank Warren immediately advised.

"But I'm still at my peak, and Tyson is not at his peak. That's because he has been in prison for several years." Lewis said angrily after being underestimated by his agent.

"You wait for me to come over."

Frank Warren said something and then hung up the phone. An hour later, he rushed to Lewis's training facility.

"Lennox, the Iron Fist King hit Tyson four times in the first round without being hit hard once. Tell me, what are your chances of winning against him?"

Lewis was silent for a moment and said firmly: "I am 8 centimeters taller and 12 kilograms heavier than Iron Fist. I have my advantages. Tyson can't beat him, but it doesn't mean that I can't beat him. If I don't fight this time, it will be detrimental to my reputation." It will cause great harm, have you considered it?”

Frank Warren nodded and said: "Of course I have considered it. I have considered the pros and cons in many aspects. Lennox, if you win, you will become the best super boxing champion on the planet. But, I still have to Consider the possibility of losing your boxing match, because if you do, you have a lot to lose.

Look at Tyson now. His status has plummeted, his popularity has lost a lot, and he may never recover. Do you want to be in his situation? "

Lewis hesitated for a moment, but when he thought of the news in the media, which described him as a coward, he said angrily: "Frank, I am not afraid of failure. I have lost before, but I stood up again. Even if I lose this time I can bear the consequences if I give it to King of Iron Fist.”

"Have you thought this through?" Frank Warren asked seriously.

"Of course." Lewis nodded firmly.

"OK then."

Frank Warren nodded helplessly and said: "It seems that the Iron Fist King wants to complete the unification war. We can ask the Iron Fist side to give up some of their interests and try to gain as many benefits as possible. It's best to whet their appetite first, we won't urgent."

……

On the other hand, Eddie Hearn was also discussing with Herbie Hyde what to do.

"Herbie, are you confident you can win?" Eddie Hearn asked.

"This, Eddie, I need to think about."

Herbie Heide was a little hesitant. His strong self-confidence in the past was no longer visible on this issue. As a British Tyson, the old Tyson was KOed in one round, which was a huge blow to his self-confidence.

Eddie Hearn analyzed: "If you win, with the current influence of the Iron Fist King, Herbie, you will win everything. If you lose, Herbie, you are still young, only one year older than the Iron Fist King. You still have a chance to start again." stand up."

"You want me to fight him?" Herbie Hyde said in surprise.

Eddie Hearn shook his head and said: "I am just analyzing objectively, there is no undefeated boxing champion in the heavyweight boxing world, and you have also lost.

Even if you lose in a fight with the Iron Fist King, I don't think it will damage your current status in the boxing world.In fact, as long as you survive a round and last longer than Tyson, you will win. "

"what?"

Herbie Heide felt humiliated and wanted to punch the agent in front of him.

He asked angrily: "Eddie, why did you reject King of Iron Fist's request for a unification fight?"

Eddie Hearn smiled and said: "I just delayed them and forced them to give in. I think they will definitely contact me again, and then we will get more benefits."

Herbie Heide gritted his teeth, thinking that the Iron Fist King and Tyson's combined income from a boxing match exceeded [-] million US dollars, and his heart moved.

As Hearn said, he is only 26 years old. Losing does not mean waiting for the future. Once he wins, it will be a big win.

Moreover, Tyson has lost, and he lost so miserably. If he loses to the Iron Fist King, there is nothing unacceptable.

……

On the 25th, Philip suddenly came to Zhou Quan and excitedly took out a stack of photos.

"what?"

Zhou Quan was startled and took a look at it. His eyes widened at the first photo.

"Adam Silver?"

The first photo was of a bench with a homeless man wearing glasses hiding on it. Although the image had changed drastically, he still recognized it. Isn't this Stern's former special assistant?

Philip was overjoyed: "He couldn't find a job and didn't pay his mortgage for three months. Then the bank sued and sealed his house. Now he sleeps on bench No. 154 in Central Park in New York, which is his new home."

"Haha..." Zhou Quan laughed.

Philip pointed to the photo in Zhou Quan's hand and smiled: "The information I got is that the league has purged more than 300 people from the headquarters to the teams, including 37 executives and 68 referees, but I have not let others go. I only followed the eight senior executives at the headquarters, including Adam Xiaohua. Four of the eight people are now bankrupt and three are sleeping on the street, all here."

"good."

Zhou Quan flipped through the photos and explained with a smile: "No need to spend energy on them in the future, it's not worth it."

……

On the 26th, the Southeast Asian financial turmoil finally affected the US stock market.

The Nasdaq index fell 6.8% that day, and the circuit breaker mechanism was triggered during the session.

(End of this chapter)