Bishop of the Devil

"Lee, can I take the liberty to ask, what is the Clippers' rate of return?" Ballmer asked curiously.

"Ten percent." Richard said firmly.

Under normal circumstances, Ballmer bought the Clippers for US$2 billion. Later, the market value of the Clippers was US$2.2 billion, which is not just a 10% rate of return. It has increased by 10% in five years. In fact, it is as if it has not increased...

"What? This is impossible..." Ballmer said with a frown.

His financial team conservatively estimates that if he acquires the Clippers, the rate of return will be around 25%!

And if it is really only 25%, will Richard be able to buy the Clippers when he is full?

Ballmer instantly didn't believe Richard. He felt that Richard might have deliberately used this statement to discourage him from acquiring the Clippers.

But thinking about it, Richard is not that naive. There is no fool in this room.

"Listen carefully, Mr. Ballmer."

"First of all, the 10% I said is based on the premise that you get the Clippers, not the situation where I get the Clippers. You should know that different people will run the Clippers, and the rate of return will definitely be different."

"As for my ability in this area, I think Mr. Ballmer should know it very well." Richard exuded strong confidence.

When it comes to basketball matters, Richard has absolute confidence.

Ballmer nodded. He admitted that Richard's words were reasonable, but he didn't think that by running the Clippers, he could only get a 10% return rate. Although he was definitely not as good as Richard, there was still no benefit when it reached 25%. questionable.

Richard cleared his throat and continued: "Secondly, the most important reason is that the acquisition price is 2 billion US dollars, and a 10% return rate is already quite good."

…

As soon as he said this, not only Ballmer was surprised, but Paul Allen on the side also opened his eyes wide.

"What? 2 billion U.S. dollars? Lee, are you crazy? Are you going to use 2 billion U.S. dollars to acquire the Clippers? This is definitely something that only a madman would do." Ballmer focused on what Richard said. The acquisition price is US$2 billion.

He originally prepared 1.2 billion U.S. dollars, and if the odds were high, he could add another 100 million U.S. dollars. He felt that this could already defeat all competitors.

But now Richard opened his mouth to spend 2 billion US dollars, which shocked Ballmer.

This is crazy. Acquiring the Clippers for three times the premium? This is nothing but crazy!

The Clippers have a market value of more than 600 million. Richard wants to spend 2 billion, which is not a threefold premium.

…

"What? Lee, you said the Clippers' market value can reach US$2.2 billion in the future?!" Paul Allen obviously has different concerns than Ballmer.

After a brief shock, Ballmer also realized this problem. Can the Clippers' market value reach 2.2 billion in the future?

If the Clippers can really reach US$2.2 billion, then it is quite possible that the Hornets can reach US$1.2 billion.

Seeing the shocked looks on the two old men's faces, Richard nodded.

"God, what will happen in the future? Will the US dollar depreciate greatly? Otherwise, how could the market value of these teams reach such a high level?" Ballmer said in disbelief.

Richard smiled and didn't say much. Some things were better left unsaid.

"Mr. Ballmer, I can tell you the bottom line. My maximum quotation is US$2 billion. You may also know that I can't afford that much cash now, but Paul can help me." Richard was ready to get straight to the point. I had a good talk with Ballmer.

Ballmer nodded. Richard's limit was US$2 billion, but he had no doubt at all.

He also knows very well that even if Richard pays 2 billion US dollars, he will definitely make a lot of money by then.

If he can only have a market value of 2.2 billion by then, then Richard may be worth 3 billion by then.

So he can figure out why Richard is so crazy about buying the Clippers.

However, he still felt a little unsure. What if Richard lied to him about this?

It is essential to be on guard against others. He knows people but not their hearts. He and Paul Allen are old acquaintances, but he doesn't know much about Richard.

It's hard to guarantee that Richard didn't say these words on purpose today to defeat his plan to acquire the Clippers. If he buys the Hornets as Richard said, he might not make a dime.

For a moment, Ballmer's face showed a look of embarrassment. Now things are a little difficult...

He was in a dilemma, and he wasn't sure what to do.

At this moment, he couldn't help but admire Richard. This boy's words actually made him, an old man in the world, hesitate. He was really a terrible young man.

"Steve, what are you still hesitating about?"

"Don't worry, Lee's character is very good. If not, do you think I would marry Tiana to him?" Paul Allen helped persuade Ballmer to give up his plan to acquire the Clippers.

"Besides, we are not joking at all when we say 2 billion US dollars is the limit. Could it be that you want to raise the price with us and take advantage of that idiot Sterling?"

Richard waved his hand and interrupted Paul Allen.

"Mr. Ballmer, let's do this. I can sign a gambling agreement with you."

"If you acquire the Hornets, if the market value of the Hornets does not reach US$1.2 billion in 2019, I will make up the difference for you by then!"

Richard is preparing to make a big move. Money is so attractive that even a super rich man like Ballmer cannot refuse the temptation of US dollars.

Ballmer suddenly became happy. This was the first time he encountered this situation.

If Richard hadn't been worth so much now, he might have thought Richard was a fool...

Wouldn't such an agreement give me an advantage in vain? !

"What if it can reach 1.2 billion US dollars?" Ballmer asked with interest.

"What do you mean, give me a consulting fee of 100 million US dollars?" Richard said with a smile.

"Deal!" Before Paul Allen could react, Ballmer stood up and drank the champagne in front of him.

There is absolutely no reason not to close the deal. In Ballmer's view, Richard is simply sending warmth to himself.

I will definitely make a profit without losing anything. Even if I really give Richard 100 million, I will invest 300 million and get 800 million in return. It will be an extremely cost-effective deal.

Paul Allen smiled bitterly. Before he came, he had no idea that Richard had prepared such a gambling agreement.

If he knew, he would probably dissuade Richard...

But now that the two parties have confirmed their cooperation, he has no room to dissuade them.

Now he just hopes that what Richard said is right, and that the market value of the Hornets can really reach 1.2 billion US dollars in the future.

…

In the eyes of Ballmer and Paul Allen, Richard is really young and impulsive. People of their age would never be able to do such crazy things.

But Richard naturally has his own ideas and confidence.

First of all, it is impossible for the Hornets' market value to be less than 1.2 billion US dollars by then. Richard is very confident about this.

Once the big broadcast contract was signed, with a little help from Richard, the market value of 1.2 billion US dollars was easily achieved.

Secondly, Richard also wanted to strengthen Ballmer's confidence in giving up the Clippers...

If Ballmer joins the competition, Richard has a hunch that Ballmer may even raise the price to 14.5 billion US dollars.

But now that Ballmer has withdrawn from the competition, he can save a lot of money, and he can also make 100 million US dollars in vain from Ballmer, so why not do it.

After the gambling agreement was established, Ballmer treated Richard and Paul Allen to a good meal. Ballmer felt that today might be his lucky day...

I didn’t take any risks and got eight to nine billion US dollars in vain. Who said there wouldn’t be good things falling from the sky?

And Richard is also quite relaxed and happy. With his step-by-step operation, he is finally about to obtain ownership of the Clippers.

Now no one can stop Richard from acquiring the Clippers, not anyone.

After dinner with Ballmer, Richard returned to his residence and called Stern directly.

He told Stern that Ballmer would withdraw from the competition.

Stern was a little shocked. He didn't expect that Richard could really do it, and he could do it so perfectly. It was impeccable.

In Stern's prediction, the Clippers may end up with Richard and Ballmer operating together, just like the previous Buccaneers.

And now Richard has directly asked Ballmer to give up the idea of ​​acquiring the Clippers. In Stern's view, this is simply amazing.

He really couldn't figure out how Richard did it, and what trump card he had to make Ballmer give up his plan to acquire the Clippers without even a trace of resistance.