Legendary Basketball Tycoon

Chapter 3: Game with Stern (recommendation)

April 11, 1990, New York City, United States.

Building 37 on Wall Street, this is a room on the first floor of the office building of American Trust Company and American Chase Bank.

Outside the chairman's office, Angel, the newly appointed assistant chairman, is tidying up her appearance so that she can appear in front of the new boss with her best posture.

And there is an old man sitting on the sofa in the office. The old man is still playing with his newly bought mobile phone, talking on the phone to his wife who is far away in China.

A 6-year-old boy was looking at some information on the desk. (There is no way, Lao Liu can neither speak English nor manage, and of course he does not have the consciousness of being a rich man. Since his son can do it, let him come and act as a salted fish.)

For more than a month, from the creation of the "Tianhan Empire Consortium" to today, the consortium has gradually moved on track. No, I bought a piece of land on Wall Street and prepared to build a building as the consortium headquarters.

Liu Yu's other investments are also in full swing, and even the managers in the consortium are basically recruited from headhunting companies.

Angel knocked on the office door with excitement.

"Come in."

A childlike voice came from inside.

An Qier had already been surprised, she had been here for more than a month to investigate the inside of the consortium carefully.

She knew that the little boss inside was a child prodigy, and many ideas were not made by her old boss, but tasks assigned by the genius inside.

Angel's admiration for the little boss can't be added. Pushing the door in, I saw the little boss looking through the information, and the old boss was making a call (Is the painting style a bit wrong? It should be the other way around, ha ha)

"Sorry, little boss, this is the information you want for each team in the NBA. It has already been sent."

"Hehe, it's okay, Assistant Angel, you should call me the English name Bruce. In the United States, I will use this name, and it's just that you are here. Could you please find a way to call the NBA president Mr. David Stern? A phone call and said we will meet him at the NBA headquarters tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll do it right away." After speaking, he put the materials sent on the table and went out.

"Boy, you think about it. You really want to buy an NBA team. What does that basketball team do? Can't we go back to China to buy one? Why buy one in the United States?"

The old man complained about staying in the United States for a long time. If he hadn't bought a basketball team for this kid, he would have returned to China a long time ago, and he would still call his wife to make soup.

"Dad, the NBA is the best league in the world. Our Chinese basketball is incomparable. So you can buy a team to play and train talents for the country. Why not do it."

"There is also that as more and more Chinese players land in the NBA, as a team that supports Chinese players, the market is not known, so look forward."

Liu Guangrong and Liu Yu are also patriotic. This can be explained by the fact that Liu Guangrong was injured when he served as a soldier for the country.

Liu Guangrong didn't say anything, and continued to play with his newly bought eldest brother's phone.

Liu Yu is also looking at the information he just sent. As a senior basketball fan, he knows that he must choose a city with good geographical conditions and a market. It does not rule out Asian bosses.

This is a bit of a school examination technique. There, the top ten cities in the United States, there must be cities that are not suitable, and there are many suitable second-tier cities.

For example, in the east:

New York is definitely ranked first. As New York's signature, the Knicks will definitely not let an Asian control.

New Jersey and Philadelphia, either the cities are too small, or there is not much Chinese foundation, they definitely cannot be chosen.

For Boston, this is actually possible, but Liu Yu wants to control all the management of the team. Boston legend "Cardinal" Arnold Auerbach, you can seize power from him. Big guys gather, none of them are fuel-efficient lamps, so there is no need to go to this muddy water.

Chicago Bulls, the city was too chaotic in the 1990s, and his own life matters, Perth.

Orlando is the only city for other Eastern teams, where there is Disneyland, but it's a bit smaller.

In the west:

For Los Angeles, the Lakers should not think about it. Old Buss won’t sell it. Moreover, Liu Yu’s last life is the Lakers, so he didn’t even think about it. When he thought of entering the league, he would find time to dismantle the Lakers’ lineup and ask him not to. So arrogant. For another Clippers, the owner Donald is an idiot, or a racist. He was kicked out of the league in his previous life and was forced to sell the team. It was really miserable. (The Clippers can stay in preparation)

Let’s talk about the Golden State Warriors. They won three championships in the past four years. They have always been a strong team. The problem is that the team’s home is in Oakland and not in San Francisco. Although they are not far apart, they are not as prosperous as San Francisco. It would be more troublesome to move to San Francisco. , The only bright spot is the solid foundation of the Chinese. (Can be used as a spare tire)

The next one is definitely a team that fans love and hate in previous lives. The Houston Rockets are already here, and friends who know it all know it well, so I won’t mention it. (Can be prepared)

Seattle, I have to talk about it. In his previous life, Liu Yu liked the city very much. Not only did the Chinese have a solid foundation, but it was also a big city engaged in finance. Many American companies were set up in Seattle. So when the Thunder boss moved to another city in his previous life, Liu Yu was sad for a long time. So in order to realize their dream, the Sonics must stay in Seattle. Even if they can't become their own team, they must give this team to someone who truly loves this city.

The other Western teams ignored it, mainly because Liu Yu didn't look at it.

After closing the information, Liu Yu stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking into the distance, watching the crowds and vehicles coming and going on Wall Street in New York and the tall buildings standing next to him, thinking about what...

After a while, Liu Yu returned to his desk and wrote down a few plans for the acquisition of the team, and prepared to hand it to Stern tomorrow so that he could help with the selection. (Yangmou, just try Stern's attitude towards his Asian boss.)

The NBA was founded on June 6, 1946. The headquarters building is located at the Olympic Tower at 645 Fifth Avenue in New York City.

And Liu Yu and his son and the assistant to the president, Angel, are sitting in a Ford sedan that is unique to New York City.

The three discussed things along the way, and the car slowly stopped to the parking area in the Olympia Tower.

I got out of the car and walked into the building. I saw the huge NBA sign not far away and walked in.

Fifteen minutes later, in a conference room, Liu Yu was a little nervous. After all, he was facing the most famous "dictator" David Stern in history. Although both of them will be dictators, their aura is not. Now owned by the little Liu Yu.

The new "dictator" is waiting for the arrival of the old "dictator". Will this be a meeting between Mars and the Earth?

As the door slowly opened, David Stern, the "dictator" in NBA history, walked in. The little old man looked radiant.

"Welcome, welcome guests from far away from China!"

"Dear Mr. David Stern, hello, I am glad to meet you." Liu Guangrong was speaking Chinese while holding Stern's hand, and Angel, the assistant president next to him, was in charge of translating.

Both sides sat down.

"I don't know why Mr. Liu came to the NBA?"

Stern knew that this newly-launched nouveau riche had nothing to do. They were all in New York. Such a big thing happened, the little old man was still quite gossip and paid attention to it.

But what made Stern wonder was that yesterday he received a call from the assistant of the upstart, saying that he was coming to visit today. Stern didn't know what the upstart wanted to sit in, so he was always guessing.

"That's it, Mr. President, my son likes basketball. I'm not discussing this with my family and preparing to acquire an NBA team in the United States."

Ah, Stern stood up in shock, but he was not shocked. This upstart who had created so much wealth when he first arrived in the United States wanted to buy an NBA team. Are you kidding?

"Mr. Liu, are you sure you want to buy an NBA team?"

Stern asked hurriedly.

"Of course, I never make a joke, or else Stern and my son talked, everything is up to him."

Stern looked at Liu Guangrong and Liu Yu, who was still a child, with a little annoyance. They were extremely speechless. You asked a child to talk to me about such a big thing. Make sure you didn't play with me.

At this time, Liu Yu knew it was his turn to play. The following is the contest between him and the old man.

"Dear Mr. David Stern, you can call me Bruce Liu, this is my English name."

"My father has already said that, yes, we really want to buy an NBA team, so we came to the NBA headquarters to meet with Mr. President today. I just wanted to ask Mr. President how to buy an NBA team. After all, we also I don't understand."

Stern listened to the trivial words and was sure it was not a joke. He was also calculating in his heart. Since the establishment of the NBA, no foreign owner has ever acquired it, and it is still Asian. It does not mean that you can buy with money. You have to consider all aspects. Factors such as whether other bosses in the league will oppose it, whether players will strike, whether fans will make trouble, etc.

After all, there was still a lot of racial discrimination in the United States in the 1990s. The United States is a country of freedom of speech. Although these people don't know clearly, they still oppose it and do damage.

When Stern was considering the pros and cons of the upstart father and son acquiring the team, Liu Yuchao, Liu Guangrong and Angel nodded.

Liu Guangrong knowingly said: "Mr. President, can you let your assistant take me for a tour? My son will stay here. To be honest, I haven't seen the glory and prosperity of the NBA headquarters yet!"

Stern heard this and knew that Xiao Wudian wanted to say something private to him, and after nodding his head, he asked his assistant to take Liu Guangrong and Angel to go out together.

"Little Bruce, do you know that this decision you are talking about makes me very embarrassed!"

The dead old man wants to bargain and receive benefits from it. (Here to explain this benefit is why I help you open this back, what the alliance can get, this does not refer to the benefits such as red envelopes.)

Yes, why do people risk being boycotted by the players' union and the opposition of the team owners and management to help you?

Liu Yu sighed, knowing it wouldn't be that simple, took out several team plans from his briefcase and handed them to Stern one by one.

"Mr. President, I know this is difficult. So far in NBA history, no wealthy foreign businessman has ever bought an NBA team."

"The United States is a free and democratic country, and it will also have a positive attitude towards foreign investment in its own country."

"So it's reasonable, reasonable and legal for me to buy an NBA team. Besides, the NBA doesn't stipulate that non-Americans can't buy it!"

"Mr. President, if you can help me with this, I can make the NBA the top two influential existence among the four major leagues in the United States."

"Oh, how do you become the second most influential in the United States?" Stern looked down upon Liu Yu and said.

Now in the four major leagues, the NFL has always ranked first in the United States, even if the previous life Stern brought the NBA to the second position, he can only look up to the NFL. Let alone the MLB, which is currently ranked second, it is not surpassed by the current NBA.

"Mr. President, I know that you visited Yanjing last year. You want to promote the NBA in China because of the huge market in China."

Liu Yu didn't panic, thought for a moment and said.

"How did you know?" Stern was a little shocked, because this is not a secret, and adults will understand it, but it's different from this little bit. This little bit must be a genius, Stern thought.

"I can help you open up the market in China."

"Really?"

"But there are a few conditions. First, I will try my best to help the NBA open up the Chinese market, but I need you to sign a letter of commitment."

"A promise that no matter who the management and each team owner or player in the league makes inappropriate remarks to China in the future, the league must first make heavy penalties, apologize at the slightest, and expel the league at the worst."

Liu Yu, who was reborn from a previous life, knew that the nasty little fat man and the bald head did the things that angered the Chinese fans. Of course, he had to say hello in advance.

In a word, the little fat guy and the bald head must die. As long as Liu Yu enters the NBA, it is impossible for them to rise to the top safely.

"This is impossible. The United States is a country with free speech. We will not use this to punish those who speak."

Stern slapped the table and said angrily, still daring to threaten Lao Tzu.

"Mr. President, please calm down. I am not against freedom of speech. I just say that those who say freedom of speech should not talk about the issue of national sovereignty."

"You are right. Freedom of speech can be said, but when it comes to national sovereignty, it cannot be solved by just talking about it. China has always valued sovereignty and will not allow anyone. Saying this, I just hope that the Alliance will resolutely crack down on such people."

"You also know that every country has different cultural traditions. Our Chinese cultural traditions are different from those of Western countries."

"In the United States, racial discrimination can't be said, right!"

"You need to know that with the promotion of the NBA in China, more and more people like the NBA. If the above remarks are made, what do you make the fans in China who like the NBA look at, will you give up the NBA because of this sentence."

Stern calmed down, because he knew that he waited for an hour in the Yanjing CCTV building last year to promote the NBA. It is not easy to know how much. If this happens, he would not even think about it. He doesn’t. The work he is willing to do has been abandoned, and he is unwilling to be destroyed by anyone. He is determined to be the greatest president in the history of the NBA.

"I agree." There was no way, Stern compromised in order to promote the NBA's market in China.

"Okay, second point, I believe you have seen the team plan I gave you. My idea is to expand the league and re-establish a new team."

"Do you want to establish there?"

Stern never dared to look down upon this little bit, knowing that this little bit slipped and didn't keep his hands, it was difficult to deal with.

The reason for asking this little bit about this is that Liu Yu's plan to acquire an NBA team has become the same. After reading the plan and the content of the selected city, I know that this is not a good mistake.

You may ask why you simply agree.

That’s because Stern knew that after the Liu family had made a lot of money in the United States, they also established a company. Should such people not invest in the construction of their country after returning to China? The other side helped promote the NBA.

"Of course it's New York City, and it's still in Manhattan."

"You are crazy, you don't know that New York is the Knicks' territory, do you dare to grab food in the Knicks' territory?"

The old man was very irritated, and his heart went down for a while, like a roller coaster.

"There are many cities in the United States, you can choose other cities, or you can buy an existing team."

"NoNoNo, I just like New York. Los Angeles can have two teams. Why can't New York have it?"

"Mr. President, New York is a big city and an international metropolis. If I choose a few Chinese players to join the team, isn't New York the home team of China!"

"Do you want me to choose those small places? You know, big cities will promote the NBA faster."

Liu Yu wickedly seduced Stern.

Stern fell into lovesickness, MD, is this little thing specifically for Lao Tzu? One thing is more difficult than the other. It's not counted. The key is that I have to agree. The Asian market has too much interest. This kid is right. With this kid, NBA promotion will develop faster.

The more Stern looked at this little thing, the more satisfied he was, just like watching a rare treasure.

Wait, I can't always compromise, this kid takes all the benefits, can't he let him vomit blood? Stern thought about the way cunningly.

"This is not easy. You also know that the Knicks are the face of the NBA. You and the Knicks are playing against each other. Our league needs to do a lot of work in all aspects."

Damn, this dead old man is also a master who doesn't suffer.

"I know it's difficult, so I didn't plan to set it up this year. I think it's the most appropriate time to join the NBA family in 1992."

"In the past 1-2 years, I have asked Mr. President to help me take care of it. I know that joining the NBA family requires an initial fee, and I am willing to pay this initial fee."

From 1988 to 1989, there were four candidate teams to join the NBA: Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves. The four teams originally joined the league and paid an initial fee of $32.5 million to the league.

It is 1990. If it was established in 1992, it would cost about 50 million in franchise fees. This is a small amount of money for Liu Yu, who is now rich in wealth.

As long as he can join in, he doesn't feel bad about how many shots he makes.

"The other thing is that I fully support all the decisions made by Mr. President in the boss meeting."

This is the big head, and what Stern wants most. There is an alliance to support him, and there are many things that can be changed. For "dictator" Stern, nothing is more important than mastering the NBA.

I didn't see the old man smiled with satisfaction after listening.

This is no way. The most important thing to enter the NBA is to have a good relationship with Stern. Without his help, there will be many things that will be difficult to hype in the future, such as... (Everyone knows)

"I need Mr. President to help me get the agreement between the New York side and the team owner's meeting."

"In addition, I will first establish the framework, build a new team in Manhattan, and also need to build a new arena. In this regard, I don't know if Mr. President can help me find someone who is familiar with the hype of NBA team management. "

Yes, this little bit is quite witty and polite, unlike some bosses in the league who often yell at him.

Stern looked at Little Bruce very lovingly.

"I can introduce you to a good managerial talent, Stu Jackson."

"At the moment Stu has been waiting for work at home, he may be able to help you."

Stu Jackson, that was an old friend of Jerry West. When Jerry West left the Lakers in his previous life, he went to the Grizzlies to join the then president of operations Stu Jackson.

Interesting, so interesting. I just don’t know how to dig Jerry West. This is just here. What a sleepy encounter with a pillow!

"Okay, since Mr. President introduced him, he must be very capable, so it's up to him."

Stern looked at him with satisfaction. This kid is not bad. He knows to sell my name. He doesn't even have an interview. Admission is straightforward and promising.

Stern is going to go back to his office to make this call as soon as possible, let Stu help the Bruce prepare for the team as soon as possible, and at the same time decide to inform all the bosses in the past few days to come to New York for a meeting to discuss the expansion of the league.

At this time, Liu Guangrong also returned to the conference room. He glanced at it and knew that he had already talked about it, and it was time to say goodbye.

The two parties exchanged phone numbers and agreed on a time for the Liu family and his son to come to the team owner's meeting next time.

Before leaving, Stern kindly picked up the little bit, and said softly and gently: "Little Bruce, you are welcome to visit me at the Alliance Headquarters at any time."

After speaking, he gave Liu Yu a personal phone number of his own.

"Okay, sir, if you need Bruce's help, please tell me that we Chinese are all friends of the NBA."

Liu Yu said milkily.

"Okay, haha, goodbye little Bruce."

"Goodbye."

The group left the NBA headquarters building and sat in the car. Liu Yu immediately changed his expression. He was no longer joking, but rather serious.

Because he knows that there are many people in the league team owners, it should be said that the vast majority of people do not want yellow races to join the league. They are very arrogant and despise the yellow races, so Stern's work will definitely encounter very big obstacles.

Another thing is that New York is not as good as Los Angeles. Although there are many Chinese, they are still at the bottom of society in this city, so the Chinese district in New York is very weak.

Liu Yu also knew that there was no way to retreat at this point, so it was better to just be cruel and insist on doing it with those people to the end.

This requires the Liu family and his son to expand their influence in the United States. Politics will not be touched. This is a matter of discussion between the two father and son.

Then take the mass line, and Liu Yu immediately gave the highest order to Angel who was sitting in the co-pilot.

"Angel, after you go back, immediately notify all the deputy managers of the company to come to the office for a meeting, remember that all the deputy managers, the managers are still working normally, and also get He Miao."

"Ok."

After the notice was given, the manager of the company and the confused He Miao all came to the meeting room.

Old Liu still sits in the lead, and Xiao Liu sits next to him. In fact, everyone has known this month that Xiao Liu has the final say in the company.

"Please come, everyone, that is to say about the company's arrangements."

After returning, Liu Yu and Liu Guangrong discussed in the president's office.

"What are you planning to do? Buy living supplies, such as bread, vegetables, pork, etc., as well as soap and laundry tubs that you usually use."

"Excuse me, let me interrupt the president. I don't know what to buy these things for?"

Yeah, all were puzzled, they were all talking in a low voice.

"Quiet, I know everyone will feel very strange. Our Tianhan Empire Consortium hasn't done much since its establishment, so I can tell you clearly now."

"I will answer the questions raised by Manager Ryan. Our Tianhan Empire Consortium has decided to invest 50 million yuan to purchase daily necessities. After purchase, we will distribute all of them to the poor and backward places in the United States."

Ah, everyone in the conference room was shocked. This is unreasonable. Doesn't it mean that all the rich are very picky? It hurts for a long time to take a bit of meat from the rich people's mouth. This is so great for father and son.

"Although the Tianhan Empire Consortium is still present in front of everyone in the form of a company, it will definitely make the word consortium worthy of its name in the future."

"What is the sole purpose of the Tianhan Empire Consortium? I will tell you now that it is to serve the people. Just as our great chairman of the Chinese State said, our Tianhan Empire Consortium also centers on this."

Liu Guangrong said excitedly that this was a joint decision made by him and his son. Apart from the NBA elements, the consortium was originally established to be a rich man and to help more people in need, because later the money will be for the Liu family and his sons. It's equivalent to paper. What's the use of more money?

Therefore, Liu Guangrong strongly supports his son's idea to expand the influence of the Tianhan Empire consortium by sending living supplies to the slums of the United States.

Everyone in the conference room stood up excitedly and applauded.

"Deputy General Manager Tom is responsible for the distribution of living supplies this time, and He Miao assisted, and everyone else listened to the deployment of Deputy General Manager Tom."

"Tom, I hope that most of the living supplies this time will be purchased from countries that produce more and are cheap. The reason for this is to use every penny as much as possible into the hands of people in poor areas."

"Finally, I said hello in advance. I hope that all the fifty million dollars can be used by those in need. If someone in the company embezzles the money, I will be held accountable."

"In addition, a press conference will be held tomorrow to present the concept of our Tianhan Empire Consortium to media reporters and friends across the United States."

"I see, BOSS."

Tom said happily. He knew that everyone in the company knew that they had followed the right boss. This is a good boss who is willing to consider others.

After the meeting, the Liu family and his son left the meeting room and gave the meeting room to Tom to arrange work.

Back to the president's office, Liu Guangrong said triumphantly: "Xiao Yu, how about it, your dad just now, I did a great job!"

"Dad is awesome!"

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like