basketball boulder

Chapter 290 Super Luxury Tax

In this way, the old man hung up the phone with satisfaction.

Li Lei muttered: "However, how could the Heat not sign me? Riley is in a rush to renew my contract."

But after saying this, Li Lei suddenly became less confident.

That year, Houston also gave him a promise...and then.

Promises are sometimes worthless.

Sure enough, while thinking, Bill Duffy speculated: "Mr. West is a guy full of wisdom. I don't think he will do things in vain... Maybe, he smells something."

What's the smell?

During the Eastern Conference finals, Popovich, Bass Sr., Cuban and a group of guys came out to play tricks, intending to tear down the Heat.

In the Eastern Conference semifinals, David Stern hinted that Li Lei would leave Miami.

Li Lei is sure that apart from the Heat's owner Mitch Arison and general manager Pat Riley, there is no third leader in the league who wants Li Lei to stay.

Today's Heat team is the public enemy of the league.

Do these old guys do nothing?
Li Lei didn't believe it.

As far as Stern's image of a dictator is concerned, he will definitely not let a hint go, and he will definitely do more practical things to force Li Lei to leave.

But no matter what, Bill Duffy and Li Lei couldn't figure it out.

……

That is to say, since this night, Li Lei's calls have not stopped.

"Wolf King" Garnett did not know where he got Li Lei's call.

But Li Lei is not surprised, the NBA circle is not big.

Jerry West was able to get Li Lei's phone number, mostly from Eddie Jones, after all, the old Jones is now playing for the Grizzlies.

"Stone, join hands with me, we will be the next OK!"

"The front line we form together will be a nightmare for the entire league. No one can break through us."

……

After that, LeBron James.

"Stone, don't you think we are a match made in heaven?"

"My breakthrough can create better shots for you. And your long shot makes my breakthrough easier."

"We're going to be the most perfect combination in the league."

……

Even the old Miller who just retired helped "Big Bird" Bird make a contact.

"Stone, as long as you are willing to come to Indiana, you are the absolute core here."

"Actually, we have long planned to trade away O'Neal and start rebuilding. You are our cornerstone for the next ten years."

"Reggie and I will teach you all our experiences and techniques."

……

Every promise here makes Li Lei tempted.

Absolute core, invincible dynasty, perfect combination...

These are Li Lei's heartfelt words.

However, Li Lei still followed Duffy's guidance and told everyone that he had agreed to renew his contract with the Heat.

Of course, in a tactful way.

There is no righteousness in buying and selling.

Even if Li Lei doesn't cooperate with these people this time, what about in the future?

Be a man to stay on the line and meet each other in the future.

After dealing with these calls, it was already early morning.

Bill Duffy went back to rest.

Li Lei was also about to take a break when the phone rang again.

Seeing the number, Li Lei was stunned.

"David Stern."

Li Lei's heart suddenly beat wildly.

"Hi, hello! Mr. President, it's so late, don't you still have a rest?"

Stern on the opposite side smiled softly: "I knew you would be very busy in the first half of the night, so I waited until now. I am old, and I really lack energy. I have drank many cups of coffee to last until now."

"Forget it, let me make a long story short."

"This offseason, get out of Miami."

Li Lei: "I..."

Stern on the opposite side directly interrupted: "I'm not ordering you, I'm just telling you in advance so that you can be mentally prepared and think about where to go next."

"Okay, I really can't hold it anymore, it's time to go to bed."

Then, the other side hung up the phone.

beep!
beep!
beep!
Li Lei held the phone and was speechless for a while.

Stern was about to make a move.

But what would he do?

He is the kind of person who has a bottom line, and he must be aboveboard to prevent the Heat from renewing Li Lei's contract.

but……

Li Lei couldn't figure it out, so he went to the next door and called Duffy again.

Two people, did not sleep all night.

No one could have imagined that Li Lei, who had just won the FMVP of the second company, stayed up all night not because of happiness, but because of worry.

……

In the days that followed, the Heat returned to Miami.

The championship parade is naturally indispensable.

The big boss Mitch Arison came to talk to Li Lei in person, promised to renew his contract, and declared: "A little luxury tax is worthless compared to you."

Li Lei, who got the guarantee, was not at ease.

In the following days, the trial training of each team began.

Li Lei accompanied Yi Jianlian and Zhu Fangyu to run around.

Of course, only on the surface.

Secretly, Li Lei got in touch with the general managers and stars of each team.

The NBA has express regulations that teams are not allowed to recruit players in advance before the start of the trading market.

But who really follows the rules?

Within a week of winning the championship, Li Lei received invitations from more than 25 teams.

If the league really wants to find out, can they punish all 25 teams?
The law does not blame the public!
……

It was at this time that Stern made his official move.

During the offseason, the league introduced a new rule: the super luxury tax rule.

Externally, the league spokesperson claimed that it is to maintain the balance of the NBA and prevent some particularly wealthy owners from gathering stars regardless of the luxury tax.

The league also named two owners.

Mavericks' Mark Cuban.

James Dolan of the Knicks.

Cuban is a real fan, and he is willing to spend money to win, and it is not uncommon to pay the luxury tax.

And Dolan is the boss of the American Cable TV System Company, with a lot of money.

In a word, not bad money.

In the 03-04 season, the Knicks paid a luxury tax of $3990 million.

Last season, the Knicks paid another $3730 million in luxury taxes.

You must know that the salary cap of players last season was only 4950 million US dollars.

Really rich!
To curb this, the league has announced that it will introduce super luxury tax rules.

Super luxury tax: If a team exceeds the luxury tax line for three consecutive years, they will be punished more severely than the original.

First, if a team pays the super luxury tax, their penalty is no longer more than 1 cent, and they pay a luxury tax of 1 cent.

From $1 to $500 million, a luxury tax of 1 cents is paid for 2 cent.

From 500 million to 1000 million US dollars, a luxury tax of 1 cents is paid for 2.5 cent.

From 1000 million to 1500 million US dollars, a luxury tax of 1 cents is paid for 3 cent.

From 1500 million to 2000 million US dollars, a luxury tax of 1 cents is paid for 3.5 cent.

……

And so on.

Second, for teams that pay the super luxury tax, 20% of the income of all players will be confiscated.

The NBA originally had custody rules.

At the beginning of the season, 10% of the player's income will be handed over to the league management.

If the team's salary does not exceed the luxury tax line, it doesn't matter, and it will be paid to the players at that time.

But if it exceeds the luxury tax line, the league will confiscate the 10%.

Each player earns less.

This will affect the mentality of the players, which is what the NBA uses to restrict the owners of the teams so that they dare not spend money randomly.

However, some bosses are rich and powerful, and they don't care at all.

If you want to confiscate 10%, then I will give the players 10% more when I sign the contract.

And now, the league has directly doubled the money.

If the boss wants to compensate the players, he will pay an extra 20% of the contract salary when signing the contract.

Some bosses are still rich and powerful, and 10% or 20% don't care at all.

However, the total salary of the team has exploded!
Third, for teams that pay the super luxury tax, the penalty is doubled.

(End of this chapter)