Legend of Xiangjiang Tycoon

After reaching a preliminary share transfer agreement with Jeribas, Curatos Blank negotiated with Reebok’s controlling shareholder Paul Falman, and finally, on March 30, the price was 90 million US dollars. Acquired 51% of Reebok shares in Paul Farman's hands.

The NBA is headquartered in the "Olympic Tower" building at 645 Fifth Avenue in New York.

On April 2, Li Zhiwen and Li Zhiwen took Curatos Blanc, He Chaoqiong and bodyguards to stand downstairs in the "Olympic Tower" building.

When passing by, pedestrians will involuntarily stare at Li Zhiwen. There is no way. Li Zhiwen is so weird. The combination of yellow, white, and black people will not let people notice.

After a while, Li Zhiwen led everyone upstairs with an elevator under the guidance of the front desk, and came to a conference room in the NBA headquarters.

At this time, an old man and a middle-aged man were sitting in the conference room waiting for them.

The old man is naturally Lario Bryan. This person was the Secretary of the U.S. Postal Service from 1965 to 1968. He was twice elected as the chairman of the U.S. Democratic National Convention.

In 1972, Lario Bryan was secretly installed a bug in the office of the Chairman of the Watergate Building, which triggered the famous "Watergate Incident".

In 1975, Lario Bryan was appointed president of the NBA, and O'Brien's first major event after taking office was the successful merger of the ABA, which solved the problem of soaring wages and declining box office due to the vicious competition between the two leagues. The three-point line was established in 1979.

In Li Zhiwen's impression, Lario Bryan left in 1984, and shortly after Lario Bryan left, the NBA named the Champions League the Lario Bryan Cup.

The middle-aged man is David Stern. He was originally the legal counsel of the NBA and was promoted to vice president of the league not long ago. On February 1, 1984, David Stern became the president of the league. .

David Stern is the longest-serving president of the NBA. During his tenure, he has successively signed broadcast agreements with major television networks in the United States, allowing the NBA to be broadcast live to people all over the world.

David Stern actively cooperates with major companies. In his tenure, Nike and Adidas have sponsored the NBA, so he can be said to be Li Zhiwen's helper this time.

David Stern also formed the American Dream Team, making the NBA more concerned.

Of course, as far as China is concerned, the most famous story of David Stern in China is that David Stern went to China for the first time in 1989, and his purpose was to negotiate with CCTV to broadcast NBA games.

After waiting more than an hour in the cold spring, David Stern finally met the leaders of CCTV, and then through various methods, CCTV agreed to broadcast.

Li Zhiwen took Curatos Blank and He Chaoqiong into the conference room, stepped forward and said to the old man: "Mr. O'Brien, hello." Then he turned his head and said to the middle-aged man: "Mr. Stern. ,Hello."

"Unexpectedly, the owner of this acquisition of the Lakers turned out to be a Chinese American, hello, sir." Lario Bryan said.

"Mr. O'Brien, you are wrong. I am not of Chinese descent. I am from Hong Kong and my name is Li Zhiwen." Li Zhiwen said.

"Oh? I didn't expect to be from Hong Kong, Mr. Li, with all due respect, do you know basketball? Do you know how NBA teams work? You know that the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most important teams in our league. I don't want to give the Lakers to a boss who knows nothing." Lario Bryan said bluntly.

Li Zhiwen was not angry with Lario Bryan's words, if all this were to be angry, I am afraid Li Zhiwen would be angry these days.

Li Zhiwen said calmly: "Of course, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Jeribas asked me the same question not long ago, and even ridiculously said that as long as I name the players in each position of the Lakers, I promised to sell my shares. Give me."

"The result is as you thought, I came to you, I won't say more about this simple question, let me talk about my understanding of basketball first."

"...Mr. O'Brien, the three-point line you designed last year will bring epoch-making significance to the NBA. Of course, you still don’t see this benefit. After all, the players now are all set. At this time, the children watching the NBA understand this change, so many thin players who are currently not suitable for the NBA will break into the NBA because of the three-point line."

When Lario Bryan heard Li Zhiwen's analysis for the first time, he didn't care. He thought that an Oriental knows what basketball is. Basketball is a team sport. The Chinese can only play small **** like table tennis.

But the more Lario Bryan listened to Li Zhiwen's analysis, the more he felt that this person should not be underestimated. His understanding of basketball even surpasses that of many basketball coaches and basketball players today, although Lario Bryan does not understand basketball.

And David Stern on the side also heard many points and good ideas in Li Zhiwen's words.

As for Curatos Blank, although he is an amateur basketball enthusiast, his "small ball tactics" proposed to Li Zhiwen and his predictions that there will be five players of the same height on the court, and the position of basketball will become different in the future. Vague and other views are sneered at.

On the other hand, He Chaoqiong looked at Li Zhiwen with a fanatic look. She didn't understand basketball at all, but she felt so handsome when she looked at Li Zhiwen to give directions to Jiangshan.

Lario Bryan was silent for a while, and said: "Mr. Lee, I'm sorry for my previous insults. Your views have impacted me a lot. I admit your knowledge in basketball, but why is it the Lakers, even if anything else? Either team is fine."

"To tell you, our NBA league is at a loss, and the Lakers are one of the few profitable teams. Maintaining the stability of the Lakers is a must for our league, otherwise the NBA may not be able to sustain it."

Li Zhiwen thought for a while and said: "First of all, I am a Lakers fan, so the Lakers are my only choice."

"Secondly, I have the confidence to make the Lakers better. The Lakers have players I like. I can make the Lakers a different style of play from other teams."

"You have to know that the current NBA teams start off with defense, and the game is terrible, but I can make the Lakers game more enjoyable, although the Lakers still focus on defense."

"The third aspect is that I can make the Lakers famous, so as to promote the development of the NBA and other teams."

"I will not sell the first row of seats on the sidelines of the home court. I will reserve them for Hollywood stars and invite them to watch the Lakers game. You also know the media attention and brand effect brought by the stars."

"I will hire a Hollywood first-line production team to produce the coolest promotional videos for the Lakers, so Mr. O'Brien, please trust my ability."

Lario Bryan thought for a while, stood up and stretched out his hands and said: "Mr. Lee, you successfully convinced me. Happy cooperation. I hope the Lakers will do better in your hands."

"Of course, I love the Lakers team, thank you for your trust, Mr. O'Brien." Li Zhiwen also reached out and held Lario Bryan's hand.

After Li Zhiwen and Lario Bryan finished shaking their hands, they did not choose to leave, but sat back in their positions.

Lario Bryan and David Stern had some surprises. The conversation between the two parties has been completed. Is there anything else Li Zhiwen has?

Li Zhiwen smiled and said to Lario Bryan and David Stern: "Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Stern, the Lakers are over. Now I am the chairman of Reebok and the chairman of Hong Kong Universal Television. , I want to have in-depth cooperation with the alliance."

Lario Bryan and David Stern were a little surprised. They didn’t expect Li Zhiwen to have other identities, but after thinking about it, it became clear that the owner of an NBA team does not regard the team as a ticket, presumably this son is also Without exception, Lario Bryan said: "Mr. Li, you surprised me too much. Could you please tell me, what kind of cooperation do you want to carry out?"

"Mr. O'Brien, on behalf of Reebok, I want to win the exclusive endorsement of NBA team jerseys and shoes." Li Zhiwen said with a smile.

"Impossible, not to mention that sandknit has already won the jersey production rights for ten teams. Even the sneakers we cannot restrict players from wearing Reebok sneakers." Lario Bryan hasn't spoken yet, David in charge of business Stern had already spoken.

"Oh? Yes, Mr. Stern, you may have misunderstood what I mean. Since Sandknit has won the jersey production rights for ten teams, I hope that the rest of the team jerseys can be made by Reebok."

"In terms of jerseys, Reebok has adopted new technology and designed a new jersey that can effectively help players wick away sweat. You also know how hot the players play a game." Li Zhiwen said.

"As long as the price is right, I think the league will agree to Reebok's sponsorship." David Stern said.

"One hundred million dollars, a lifetime contract." Li Zhiwen said.

"Oh, sir, you are a robbery, and the league has no habit of signing a lifetime contract." As a shrewd Jew, David Stern knew the importance of slack.

"Well, Mr. Stern, you won. Since there is no habit of signing a lifetime contract, how long is the longest time? I like stability instead of renewing a few years." Li Zhiwen said.

"Fifty million dollars for a twenty-year contract," David Stern said.

"Mr. Stern, to paraphrase you, you are a robbery. Now the total market value of the entire NBA league is only 400 million U.S. dollars. Based on the development of the league, I don’t know if there will be an NBA in twenty years. , As a result, your 20-year contract is only 50 million US dollars." Li Zhiwen said with a surprised product.

David Stern's face was a little red, and he retorted: "Mr. Li, since you are willing to sign a lifetime contract, you must be optimistic about the development of the alliance."

"Mr. Stern, as far as I said before, it is venture capital. I am willing to bet, but for 20 years, I am not willing. Besides, there are only twelve teams' jersey production rights, 50 million is too high. Yes." Li Zhiwen said tit-for-tat.

"Then I listen to Mr. Lee?" Lario Bryan stopped David Stern and said.

"Twelve teams, 40 million US dollars, 30 years of jersey production rights." Li Zhiwen said.

David Stern wanted to say something more, Lario Bryan said in a final word: "No problem, I agree."

"I want to print our Reebok brand logo on the game jersey." Li Zhiwen said.

"Without this tradition, the league does not have this tradition." David Stern said.

"Traditions are all established by predecessors, and history is created by humans." Li Zhiwen retorted.

"Add ten million dollars, I agree." Lario Bryan said.

"Deal!" Li Zhiwen said quickly, for fear that the two would regret it.

To print the brand logo on the NBA game uniforms, Nike will have to wait until 2015 and beyond, and Li Zhiwen only paid 10 million U.S. dollars to do it.

This will greatly improve Reebok's exposure rate, after all, Reebok's current sales in the United States are only 1.5 million US dollars.

"Two gentlemen, let's continue talking about jerseys. I'm not saying that players are not allowed to choose their own branded sneakers. You should know that the star players in the league are a minority after all, and more of them are ordinary players. I just provide them with sneakers. ."

"Now the players in the league are almost wearing Converse canvas shoes, and they are only a low-top version. My God, this is simply murder. How poor is the wrapping and cushioning of such sneakers? Players have to put on several layers of socks. To protect my ankles."

"We Reebok designed a shoe that protects the player's ankle, and only then used our Reebok's latest cushioning technology." Li Zhiwen said.

In fact, after Li Zhiwen bought Reebok, he did not go to Reebok to see it, nor did he have the cushioning shoes Li Zhiwen said, but this is not important. As long as Li Zhiwen wins the NBA shoe contract, Li Zhiwen can change the shoes. I don’t know how to design, copy, and the AJ series is in front of Li Zhiwen. As long as Li Zhiwen tells the feeling of using AJ, designers who want to come to Reebok can do it.

Lario Bryan and David Stern don’t pay attention to the players’ ankles. They pay more attention to how much money the league can get in the shoe contract.

So David Stern said: "How much money can Mr. Li sponsor?"

Li Zhiwen took a sip of the coffee on the table, and instead of answering directly, he asked, "I don't know what Mr. Stern meant."

David Stern was dumbfounded by Li Zhiwen's rhetorical question. It took a while before he came back to his senses. After thinking about it, he said: "50 million US dollars for a 20-year contract."

Li Zhiwen wanted to say something. David Stern said directly: "Mr. Li, you have to know that sneakers and jerseys are not the same. Anyone except fans will buy jerseys, but sneakers can be worn in Switzerland."

"Well, so happy cooperation!" Li Zhiwen said with a smile.

Hearing Li Zhiwen's words, David Stern breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid of Li Zhiwen's bargaining.

"What about the broadcasting rights of the TV station?" Li Zhiwen asked.

David Stern said the chicken thief: "No need for this aspect. At present, the NBA only has a market in the United States, even if Mr. Li has made contributions to the NBA."

Li Zhiwen shook his head. David Stern considered himself a fool. If he didn't sign the contract, the NBA could withdraw the broadcasting rights at any time. Li Zhiwen finally made the market bigger, and finally made a wedding dress for the NBA. Li Zhiwen can't do it.

Seeing Li Zhiwen shaking his head, David Stern exclaimed. No wonder many people say that Chinese are as smart as Jews. David Stern didn’t believe it before. Now through Li Zhiwen, David Stern agreed with this point of view. I have to pay attention to the Chinese market early.

And Li Zhiwen did not expect that he would let David Stern pay attention to the Chinese market earlier, so he went to stand guard at the China CCTV building when he took office.

"What does Mr. Lee mean?" David Stern said.

"The exclusive broadcasting rights of the entire Asian region for 20 years are 50 million US dollars." Li Zhiwen said

"Mr. Lee, exclusive broadcasting rights are impossible, and 50 million dollars is too low." David Stern said.

"Mr. Stern, you must know that the NBA is blank in Asia, and it takes a long time for me to promote the NBA." Li Zhiwen said.

David Stern still shook his head and said, "Mr. Li, you can't count it like that. Don't you look at the benefits after the promotion is successful?"

"What does Mr. Stern mean?" Li Zhiwen said.

"70 million U.S. dollars for 20 years of broadcasting rights, but not exclusive." David Stern said.

"Impossible, then my promotion was in vain." Li Zhiwen retorted.

David Stern thought for a while and said, "Mr. Lee, the exclusive broadcasting rights for the Asian region for $70 million for 20 years, except for mainland China. Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau can be broadcast by you."

Li Zhiwen was a little surprised. He did not expect that David Stern would have taken a fancy to the Chinese market so early, so he said: "Mr. Stern, mainland China is still very poor now. Many villages do not necessarily have a TV. Why do you watch? China market."

"The Chinese are hardworking. Isn't Mr. Li a good example? I believe that China will develop rapidly."

Li Zhiwen was a little discouraged. He didn't expect that his excellence had made David Stern interested in Red China. This was shooting himself in the foot.

Li Zhiwen thought for a while and said, "Mr. Stern, your terms are fine, but I want the broadcasting rights in the mainland."

David Stern thought about it, this is okay, let Li Zhiwen first promote the basketball career in mainland China, and then it’s okay to find another TV station in China. UU reading www.uukanshu.com said: “Yes, But mainland China is not the exclusive broadcasting right."

"Understand, happy cooperation!" Li Zhiwen said.

"Happy cooperation, Mr. Li, you are the best businessman I have ever seen." Lario Bryan said.

"Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Stern are also excellent. I believe that the league will get better and better under the leadership of the two." Li Zhiwen said.

"Of course, Mr. Lee is also welcome to join the NBA family." Lario Bryan said.

"Thanks to the two presidents, the Lakers also need the support of the two presidents." Li Zhiwen said.

Later, Li Zhiwen and Lario Bryan, under the witness of the lawyers of both sides, initialed the cooperation agreement. The specific contract David Stern suggested to hold a grand press conference to announce that it could invigorate the NBA market. After all, signing such a contract. The big contract can also stabilize the NBA. The current NBA is turbulent and undercurrents.

Li Zhiwen will naturally not disagree, so that Reebok's reputation in the United States can be opened up, and this is a good thing for both parties to win.