NBA: Sharks at the peak, guard the basket!

Chapter 154 Sneaker Brand Battle, Converse Jedi Strikes Back!
United States, Massachusetts, Converse headquarters.

An emergency meeting is being held to discuss the quotation plan for Lin Hong's endorsement contract.

Converse was once a giant in the basketball world, controlling more than 90% of the NBA's sneaker business.

Dr. J in the 70s, the black and white duo in the 80s, these superstars who were once astonishing, all once galloped on the court wearing CONVERSE basketball shoes, invincible.

Even in 1991, Converse once became the only officially designated sneaker in the NBA.

However, after that, Adidas and Reebok invaded from Europe, Michael Jordan helped Nike rise rapidly in the United States, and quickly seized the sneaker market. Converse suddenly turned from prosperity to decline, and the sneaker market share fell off a cliff, almost crazy.

You must know that the NBA issued a clear rule for players not to wear brightly colored sneakers at that time, so Jordan could only continue to be active on the court with a $5000 fine.

Jordan wore the Air-J1 to shine on the court, averaging 28.2 points per game, becoming the best rookie, selected to the best rookie team, the best second team in the NBA, and the All-Star starter.

And Nike's air cushion concept, signature shoe concept, coupled with bold and unassuming color schemes, Nike's series of combination punches have ruthlessly cut off waves of young people from Converse like leeks.

As Jordan and Nike hit the ground running, Converse, the giant, finally got into a mess.

When Nike spared no effort to sign contracts with stars, Converse also signed "Auntie" Larry Johnson and "Magic" Johnson, two potential stocks, trying to reproduce the old legend of "Black and White Shuangsha".

In order to compete with Jordan's air-cushioned shoes, Converse also launched its own fist cushioning new technology: oil pack.

But this system has more flaws than its bright spots. Due to the imperfect technology, the oil pad is easy to break, which has become the dead spot of the product.

With Nike soaring into the sky, Adidas, Reebok and other heroes have risen together, Converse, the former ruler, has been declining, showing its decline.

While Jordan was leading the trend of crazy forwards and guards, Converse went against the current and signed two major insiders, "Postman" Malone and "Bug" Rodman.

These two insiders not only failed to compete with Jordan's Nike, but made Converse worse.

Today's Converse is already on the verge of bankruptcy, frantically trying.

"Everyone, we don't have much time left."

Seeing the embarrassment of the executives of the companies in front of them, like ants on a hot pot.

The founder Moore Converse, who has been silent for a long time, suddenly looked up:

"We cannot estimate the value of Lin Hong."

"But I know who can define his true worth."

as he said.

No one present at the scene could estimate the true value of Lin Hong.

It's like a concept that cannot be defined with concrete numbers.

However, can someone give the exact value?
"Who??"

Converse executives at the scene raised their heads and focused their attention on Moore Converse.

"consumer."

"Consumers can define Lin Hong's value and at the same time pay for Lin Hong's endorsement fee!
Moore Converse's loud speech silenced the panicked executives of Converse.

No one is a fool if he can be in a high position. When he rolled his eyes, he quickly understood what Moore meant.

"But wouldn't this be too risky? Chairman, this is not right..."

"John, we need to take a long-term view. For the current plan, we can only give it a go!"

Moore Converse interrupted the other party's speech with a wave: "Listen, there is a limit to the offer we can make.

But the purchasing power of consumers, theoretically, has no upper limit! "

Like Moore Converse said.

Converse can give Lin Hong's endorsement annual salary, and eventually there will be a numerical upper limit.

2000 million is not enough, so 3000 million? !

But the endorsement contract with an annual salary of 3000 million US dollars has far exceeded the limit that Converse can bear.

However, if consumers are willing to pay the bill, it's fine.

Simple example.

If Converse can follow the example of Nike and create a brand new independent sub-brand for Lin Hong.

Share with Lin Hong all the products of the brand, including sneakers, clothing and various accessories.

In this way, how much money Lin Hong can get depends entirely on his own charisma and fan stickiness.

The lower limit of this number can be very low, and the upper limit can be very high!
Moreover, Converse does not need to hurt its muscles and bones, but only needs to produce and sell these products according to market demand.

"Lin Hong, is it really worth it for us?"

"Of course, this is our chance!!"

Moore Converse firmly believes that if Converse wants to turn around and get out of the brink of bankruptcy, then Lin Hong is definitely the best choice!

Or even the only option.

"Michael Jordan and Nike were not valued by us back then, and then we lost almost all of the basketball market share. If we don't value Lin Hong today, then what we lose will be the brand of Converse!!"

Moore Kuang's deafening scolding finally woke up the management of Converse as if they had just woken up from a dream, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"So, this time I will personally lead the team to Los Angeles to talk to Lin Hongcha about endorsement."

Moore Converse did not get angry and made a decisive decision.

The news that he was going out in person immediately made the entire conference room fall into dead silence.

You know, the original Michael Jordan couldn't let Moore Converse do it himself!
In other words, Lin Hong's value in the eyes of Moore and Converse has far surpassed that of Michael Jordan.

Even if you look at it in combination with the China + Los Angeles market, the value of Lin Hong is likely to exceed that of Michael Jordan.

Go out in person?

necessary! !
At the same time, the United States, Los Angeles.

Lin Hong's residence.

Representatives of Reebok, Nike and Adidas gathered together and prepared to fight.

After Bill Duffy glanced at everyone, he said slowly: "Everyone, we are all acquaintances, so I'll get straight to the point.

Our team is extremely optimistic about Lin's future. Considering Lin's unparalleled advantages in this basketball desert in Asia, we

I think Lin will become the best basketball player with the highest commercial value after Jordan.

So you can directly come up with the final quotation to discuss with us, without wasting any more words. "

Bill Duffy spoke eloquently and confidently, as if Lin Hong had become a world-class superstar.

Reebok's representative shook his head and laughed, "You're very good, but I have to remind you that insiders don't sell shoes. This is the iron law of basketball."

Bill Duffy was obviously fully prepared, and said with a smile: "If you regard Lin as a traditional insider, then I think it will be difficult for our cooperation to continue to deepen.

Because I have deep doubts about your company's professional ability, let's go back and look at Lin's highlights!

Check out Lin's explosive performance in November!
In the history of the NBA, no 2th position with a height of 15 meters can play like this! ! "

"The most important thing is that Lin is still handsome, ten times more handsome than Patrick, Bishaq, and David!
He will make women step into sports brand stores and pay for sneakers, even Michael Jordan can't do it! "

The person in charge of Reebok was silent.

Adidas representatives were also quiet.

Obviously they also agree with Bill Duffy's words, especially about Lin Hong's appearance.

She has a slender figure, with curvaceous muscles all over her body, coupled with a handsome face with determination and sunshine in her delicate appearance.

Indeed, compared to the gorilla Ewing, Lin Hong is indeed more than ten times more handsome, and he can be regarded as handsome and handsome.

"Bill, I think you are too optimistic about Lin's development in the Asian market. In Asia, especially China, can the people there really afford basketball shoes that start at hundreds of dollars?"

The representative of Adidas also stood up.

"No offense, sir, but I think you need to do your homework.

China is progressing at a high speed and developing rapidly, and various indicators of people's livelihood and living standards have undergone tremendous changes.

All in all, the numbers don't lie, and you can do your research. "

Lin Hong was very satisfied with Bill Duffy's eloquent talk.

In the end, Bill Duffy fought against the Confucian scholars and won the greatest benefit for Lin Hong.

Reebok finally decided to give Lin Hong a 6-year, 9000 million dollar sneaker endorsement contract.

At the same time, he played the brother card, saying that Lin Hong and his good brother Iverson will cooperate in shooting sneaker advertisements.

Adidas gritted its teeth and gave Lin Hong a 5-year contract worth 9000 million US dollars, focusing on corporate culture and heritage, in short, drawing big cakes.

"Lin, if you can sign Converse, we firmly believe that you will lead Converse to become the No. [-] sports brand in the NBA!"

That's right, when the salary cannot be raised to the 2000 million level.

Adi can only play one hand of emotional cards.

After all, they are half of the NBA.

Nike fired Lin Hong and offered Lin Hong a 6-year endorsement contract of 1.2 million U.S. dollars.

In terms of endorsement quotations, Nike is still as grand as ever, directly rubbing Adidas + Reebok on the ground.

Moreover, the person in charge of Nike made it clear that he would design the first signature sneaker for Lin Hong.

The endorsement annual salary of 2000 million U.S. dollars is Nike's greatest sincerity.

"Lin, I think Nike is very good. Their quotation is really full of sincerity."

After sending away a group of sneaker giants, Bill Duffy gave his own opinion: "To be honest, Nike has suddenly emerged and has shown the potential to become a sports giant."

"They are willing to give a rookie a sky-high contract of more than [-] million yuan, which is enough to show how much they value you."

In the case of Converse and Puma standing still.

The sky-high endorsement contract offered by Nike is indeed the best choice.

"Don't worry, wait and see again, Converse and Puma should not be able to sit still."

Lin Hong was really not in a hurry.

Nike has long recognized the great value hidden in Lin Hong, and offered an unprecedented offer, while Converse, the leader who is in dire need of the dwindling West Mountain, definitely has a high offer, not a low one!
"Perhaps, Converse has withdrawn midway and has not continued to participate in this endorsement battle?"

Bill Duffy is clearly more inclined to sign to Nike.

Converse is still waiting and watching, who knows if they will be discouraged and quietly withdraw from the battle for Lin Hong.

After all, the skinny camel is really getting skinny.

Nike, this is a real deal of 6 million US dollars in 1.2 years!
"Bill, do you think Converse will miss this opportunity?"

The smile on Lin Hong's face disappeared suddenly: "If they are really so short-sighted and withdraw from this endorsement battle, then Converse deserves to be acquired by Nike."

Bill Duffy was also infected by Lin Hong's confidence.

indeed.

If you don't even fight for players of Lin Hong's level, how can Converse compete with giants like Adidas and Nike!
as predicted.

While the two were chatting freely.

Bill Duffy got a call from Converse headquarters.

"Are you sure? Mr. Moore Converse is coming to Los Angeles in person?"

Bill Duffy in front of the phone was extremely surprised: "Okay, I see!"

hang up the phone.

Bill Duffy's face was very complicated, "Lin, you are right, Converse really made a choice."

"Mr. Moore, President of Converse, Mr. Converse, will come to our door to negotiate an endorsement contract with us!"

Reebok Adi sent only project managers.

Nike has a higher structure, and the general manager is sent.

However, this wave of Converse is full of noodles.

The founder of the company came out in person!
What is a card face?

This is called TM's face! !

"Well, when are they going to Los Angeles?"

"I've already boarded the plane, and I can arrive in Los Angeles before eight o'clock in the evening at the latest."

"Well, it's okay, I'm going to the arena to train."

Lin Hong is very clear.

What kind of quotation + signing plan will Converse give? Nike has soared into the sky, and even has a greater advantage than Adidas Reebok.

And what kind of answer will the desperate Converse give?
Even the chairman has come forward in person, don't be too disappointing.

Saying goodbye to agent Bill Duffy temporarily, Lin Hong went to the training hall to start the daily training in the afternoon.

In the morning, because he was busy with signing and negotiating, Lin Hong asked coach Harris for half a day off.

Silver Fox Harris had just won the best coach of the month, and was in high spirits at the moment. When he heard that Ai was going to talk about tens of millions of dollars, he nodded in agreement.

When Lin Hong arrived at the training hall, as soon as he walked into the locker room, he was rushed up by the team and headshot him with pouring cold water!

"Mr. Yue Best, are you surprised or surprised?!"

"Lin, you did what Michael Jordan couldn't do!"

"You're so cool dude, you deserve it!"

"Don't look at me, Lin, this is Dale and Byron's idea, it's really not me!"

Faced with the threat of Lin Hong gearing up, Youngke resolutely throws the blame away.

Although he is the one who likes splashing water the most, this idea is really not his idea.

Only Scott and old Curry on the Lakers can figure out such an old Jianghu's style of doing things.

However, Lin Hong didn't care whose idea it was.

Kobe was the closest to him, and he was the one who worked the hardest when he was just splashing water.

Well, sorry!
In the locker room of the Lakers training hall, there were bursts of moaning and moaning, which made people's scalp numb.

No one knows exactly what happened inside.

All I know is that when the Lakers came out of the locker room, they all looked sad, as if something unspeakable had happened.

Kobe Bryant was even worse, his face was as black as charcoal, and his resentment was so strong that he couldn't let it go!

In the next training session, he frantically named old Curry and Scott on the political side.

I can't beat Lin Hong, can't I vent my anger on you two old fellows?
Byron Scott and the old Curry hate each other.

Obviously you were the most ruthless in splashing, and if you were caught, you put the shit bowl on the heads of us two big brothers?
If you have the ability, go to Lin Hong to be tough!

What kind of skill is bullying us two old guys?
Young Ke simply doesn't talk about Wude!
However, the red-eyed Black Mamba doesn't care about this, he catches and bites whoever he catches! !

After finishing the team training, Lin Hong returned home early.

Because the Converse team headed by Moore Converse, just arrived in Los Angeles, they went straight to Lin Hong's residence in Los Angeles.

They dare not delay for a moment.

I was afraid that Lin Hong, a cash cow, would pass by them and fall into the arms of his opponent if he was a second late.

……

(End of this chapter)