NBA backer king

Chapter 123 Mammoth, signature sneakers

"Hey, Larry, let's do an interview."

At this time, a big red-haired man came with a photographer, but it was Bill Walton, the league's retired Hall of Fame superstar.

The red giant Wharton got rid of his stuttering problem last year, and then officially entered the commentary world and became a commentator for ABC TV.

"OK."

Larry Bird nodded.

"Old K, I just saw that you had a good interaction with Larry. You know him very well, don't you want to be interviewed together?" Bill Wharton asked.

"These Americans call that interaction?" Sun Zhenping and Su Qun who were a few steps away were dumbfounded.

"Yes, I have some impressions of him. His performance is good, and he can always make those actresses scream, high and low." Old Wang nodded.

"Puchi, haha..."

The laughter of Magic Johnson and others sounded from behind.

"Rookie, die!"

Annoyed, Larry Bird swung a pair of old punches at Old Wang again.

"Haha, well, Larry, now I'm going to ask the question, the camera is on."

Bill Wharton's face was already smiling like a chrysanthemum, and he hurriedly stepped forward and pulled Larry Bird away.

As soon as the angry bird heard the camera was turned on, he quickly turned to face the camera and changed his face. His angry expression instantly turned into a smile, then he waved and smiled kindly: "Hey, hello, I'm Larry Bird, your friend."

"Hi everyone, I'm your friend, old K, the restricted area sweeper." Lao Wang also waved from behind, and began to rub Larry Bird's camera.

"Ahem, restricted area sweeper? Old K, is this your new nickname?" Bill Wharton asked curiously.

"Yes, what I thought of just now, what do you think?" Old Wang said seriously.

"Very cool." Bill Walton nodded.

"A nickname like shit, is it cool to have my big bird?" Larry Bird said disdainfully.

"Of course, Big Bird is cooler, especially suitable for the profession of adult movie star." Old Wang nodded.

"Hahaha……"

This time everyone around burst out laughing, the cameraman couldn't hold the camera steady, and the lens was shaking non-stop.

"Let's fight, rookie, let's not die today!"

Larry Bird stopped accepting interviews, and rushed towards Lao Wang with his old fists.

"It's over, fighting again?" Sun Zhenping and Su Qun were dumbfounded repeatedly.

"It's not really a fight, it's just a joke. Tie Jun and Larry Bird met for the first time, and it seems that they get along well." Zhang Lili laughed.

The two were making a fuss, and many stars came to the scene, including Jordan, Dameng, David Robinson, Barkley and Dan Marley.

"Damn rookie!"

When Qiao Dan saw Wang Tiejun, his eyes immediately turned red, and the nameless anger rushed straight to the top of his head.

"Big Bird, do you dare to bully my brother?"

When Barkley saw it, he rolled up his sleeves and ran up, followed by Dan Marley.

The villain Barkley has an unusual relationship with Larry Bird. He is an old enemy. He once choked Bird in a game during his rookie season.

On November 84, 11, the Philadelphia team played the seventh regular season game of the new season against the Celtics. Larry Bird and Dr. J fought. Barkley stepped forward to persuade Larry Bird to choke Larry Bird from behind.

"Fat pig, what do you want to do?" Hearing Barkley's voice, Larry Bird immediately left Lao Wang and turned around quickly.

Barkley shook a pair of big fists with a smile and said: "It's just right, I have learned Wang Baquan now, let me test its power on you?"

"What bastard punch?" Larry Bird asked curiously.

"It's just punches for bastards." Lao Wang kindly explained later.

"Puchi, haha..." Barkley and Dan Marley laughed.

Larry Bird knew at a glance that Wang Tiejun hadn't said anything good, glared at him, and scolded angrily: "Rookie, you and Barkley are a bad pair of bastards together, 100% fit."

Barkley and Old Wang looked at each other, and suddenly burst out laughing.

"Two bastards!" Larry Bird cursed helplessly.

"Look, Mr. Sun, that's Barkley, a superstar in the league. He takes good care of Tie Jun in the Suns. They have a very close relationship." Zhang Reasonable introduced.

"I have seen him. He was also a member of the dream team in last year's Olympic Games." Sun Zhenping nodded excitedly.

"He's called Flying Pig, and he's not tall enough. He flies in the sky to play. Do you want to interview him? Let's go there." Zhang Lili said.

"Sure!" Sun Zhenping nodded hastily.

Several people came forward and moved aside. Zhang Lili nodded to Lao Wang, and then said to Barkley, "Charles, can you accept our interview? We are China CCTV Sports Channel."

"Zhang, aren't you old K's personal trainer, chef, and nanny? How many jobs do you have?" Buckley asked with a strange expression.

"I came here temporarily to help today." Zhang Lili said cheerfully.

"Okay, you can ask." Barkley smiled.

Wang Tiejun did not participate in the CCTV interview and returned to his seat.

Magic Johnson said at this time: "Rookie, let's talk?"

Lao Wang glanced at the magician and asked curiously: "I know you, Barkley said that there were many girls lining up outside the locker room waiting for you to pick, and you would give the rest to your teammates, is that true?"

Magician Johnson said embarrassingly: "The past is unbearable. You really are not likable, and you can't even chat."

Speaking of this, he suddenly turned his upper body and asked in a low voice with curiosity: "Are you really that with Julia Roberts?"

Lao Wang sighed and said: "The past is unbearable. That night made my legs weak for a week. I am very tired, but if I have another chance to choose, I hope my legs will be weak for a month."

"Damn boy, you really don't know how to chat." Magic Johnson cursed.

"Haha..." Old Wang laughed triumphantly.

"Hey, kid, what do you think of the Lakers?" Magic Johnson said.

"What can I think? Liars, movie stars, the Lakers are not an NBA team, but a Hollywood actor training class."

Lao Wang couldn't help but said angrily.

Magic Johnson stays, is this what you think of the Lakers?

"Asshole rookie, you have to show some respect to the Lakers." Bellekin next to him said angrily.

"NO! Although I am going to sign a contract with CAA, I will definitely not participate in the actor training class." Old Wang shook his head decisively.

The two magicians looked at each other, shook their heads helplessly, and stopped asking this question.

They were actually entrusted by Lakers general manager Jerry West to test Wang Tiejun.

Although Divac is very good, West thinks Wang Tiejun is better, and he is considering trading Wang Tiejun with Divac.

He had submitted a trade application to the Suns earlier, but Divac was not the bargaining chip, but two role players. He was immediately rejected. Wang Tiejun played better and better, and he had no chance. However, he did not give up and was still waiting for the opportunity.

At around 11 o'clock in the evening, Pharaoh returned to the hotel, and just after taking a shower, Gemalone appeared in front of him with a smile on his face.

"Old K, I have good news for you. You have a sneaker sponsor." Jamalone laughed.

"What's going on?" Old Wang was so shocked that he almost dropped the towel around his body.

Jamalone laughed and said: "During this time, I have been talking about sneaker contracts for you. As a CAA A-level signatory, you must have a signed sneaker contract. This is your status symbol. To become a real sports star, this is essential..."

"Talked about?"

Lao Wang felt a surprise, is this a gift for him?Sure enough, signing with CAA was the right decision.

Then Jamaloni took out a thick contract and briefly introduced the contents.

3 million U.S. dollars for 450 years, 150 million U.S. dollars per year. This is the price that Gemaroni negotiated after exhausting his words. The Mammoth Company, which is about to go bankrupt, really can't afford more money. This is a new sum of money invested by the boss, Weeks.

The specific payment method is to pay 50% of it on the signing date, 30% after one year, and the remaining 20% ​​when the contract ends.

This contract seems to be bigger than the contract between Jordan and Nike back then, and there are no restrictions, but it is actually far inferior to Jordan's contract.

There were still three conditions in Jordan's contract that year, namely the best rookie and All-Star, and an average of 20+ per game. If these three conditions cannot be fulfilled, Nike has the right to terminate the contract, but he only completed these three conditions in one year and got all the money.

In 84, the highest endorsement contract in the league was the contract between Lakers star James Worthy and New Balance, which cost $1 a year. Jordan’s $15 a year was a sky-high price. Moreover, Nike also promised Jordan a share of the sales of sneakers, and gave him a Lamborghini when he signed the contract.

However, for a rookie, a center who does not sell shoes, and is not an American, it is unbelievable to get this contract. Without CAA operation, it is impossible. You must know that there are not many stars in the entire league who have signed sneaker contracts. The vast majority of active All-Stars do not.

For example, O'Neal, when he entered the league last year, Nike and Reebok chose him at the same time, and his only requirement was to have his own signature sneakers.

But Nike refused, unwilling to give a contract for signed sneakers. The reason is that the center does not sell shoes. The three super centers are like this. They are not optimistic about O'Neal's future.

It's funny that they gave Mourning such a contract on the grounds that Mourning is not as tall as O'Neal and can sell more shoes.

In the end, Reebok gave O'Neal a signing contract, and the amount was very large, 5 million US dollars for 1500 years, 300 million US dollars per year.

So Wang Tiejun was able to get this contract, it is really a credit to CAA, otherwise even if he became an All-Star, basically he would not get this kind of signature sneaker contract.

This era is not the era of Yao Min ten years later. In that era, the domestic economy began to develop and there was a huge consumer market, but now the domestic consumer market does not have such a large consumer market. Wang Tiejun, let alone the United States, even if he is in China, even if he is not released from labor camps, his commercial value is not very great.

Even, there is not even the concept of a celebrity in China now, including stars in the entertainment industry, and there is not even the concept of the entertainment industry.

Getting this good news before going to bed made Comrade Wang so excited that he didn't sleep well. He was confused and didn't know when he would fall asleep. When he woke up and looked at the time, it was already 12 o'clock at noon.

After getting up, taking a shower, eating and drinking, it was past one o'clock.

At this time, in a business hall of the hotel, the CAA press conference was almost ready, and some media reporters also began to appear.

At exactly three o'clock, Wang Tiejun, Gemma Ronnie, and Mammoth Company President Weeks appeared at the press conference.

In front of the media, Wang Tiejun signed two consecutive contracts with CAA and Mammoth.

The media reacted greatly to this, and the following voices of discussion have been heard all the time.

"Mr. Maloney, is CAA planning to officially enter the NBA by signing Old K?" a reporter from the business section of the New York Times asked.

"We have this plan. CAA hopes to open up new fields and has been trying." Jamaloni smiled.

"Ninety-five percent of the All-Stars in the league do not have signed sneaker contracts, and Old K is not even an All-Star. Why did CAA choose him?" the reporter asked.

"This is a matter of our business strategy, so it's inconvenient to tell me." Gemma Ronnie smiled.

"Mr. Weeks, why did you choose Old K?" A reporter asked.

Weeks said firmly: "I am optimistic about the development of old K in the NBA. He has shown great potential now, which makes me very excited. Mammoth will fully support him..."

After the press conference, Wang Tiejun received a signing fee of US$100 million from CAA, and a check of US$225 million from Mammoth Company, and received US$325 million. This is the most money he has received, and the odd numbers on the check dazzled his eyes.

"What the hell, it's close to [-]% of the tax. I have to hire an accountant to help me avoid taxes." This was his first thought after he came back to his senses.

"Congratulations to the host, you have won your first signed sneaker contract in your career, and you will be rewarded with 1000 points," the system said.

"Double happiness comes to the door, cool is just one word!" Lao Wang said happily.

After the press conference, it was time for dinner. We had dinner with Weeks and Jaymaroni, and the three chatted while eating.

Listening to the two people's high-spirited talks about opening up the Asian and Chinese markets, Wang Tiejun felt a little restless. I'm afraid these two people have too good ideas. If they lose money in the future, there is a high probability that they will lose money. They won't cut me up for selling meat, will they?

He doesn't know about other Asian countries, so he said domestically, who would buy such expensive sneakers?Besides, who in China knows him now?
At [-]:[-] p.m., the Delta Center is already overcrowded. There are not many places for entertainment in the city at night, so sports games are especially popular.

The news that Wang Tiejun got a signed sneaker contract has been widely circulated, and the biggest reaction is not the outside world, but the NBA.

Most of the All-Stars don't have this kind of treatment. It's incredible for them that a Chinese who has only been in the league for two months can get such a contract, and he is a big center.

Suddenly, all kinds of envy, jealousy and hatred, all kinds of bitterness, all ran out.

This All-Star was broadcast live across the United States by ABC TV, and the commentators were Bill Wharton and his partner John Hanks.

"Bill, I bet Mammoth will go bankrupt soon." John Hanks said solemnly.

"Tell me your reasoning." Bill Wharton laughed.

"They spent money to sign Old K, for what? I can be sure, not for the commercial value of Old K in the United States, because there are countless NBA stars with higher commercial value than Old K in the United States." John Hanks said with confidence.

"That makes sense. So what are they for?"

Bill Wharton nodded, and asked a new question.

"Obviously, it's for the Chinese market."

John Hanks said in a very positive tone.

"Oh, I think you're right when you say that, because Mr. Stern has also been working on developing the Chinese market."

Bill Wharton suddenly realized.

"but……"

John Hanks changed his words, shook his head sadly and said, "I can also say with certainty that the mammoth is digging its own grave."

"Why?" Bill Wharton was shocked.

With a prophetic expression, John Hanks said: "Mr. Stern has been exploring the Chinese market for several years, has it achieved any results?

No, no, this time China CCTV broadcasted the All-Star broadcast live, and Mr. Stern provided it for free. They have not spent money to broadcast an NBA regular season yet.Could it be that the Mammoth company also wants to give its sneakers to the Chinese for free? "

Bill Wharton was startled, and smiled helplessly: "That's definitely impossible, but China is so big, there should be some sales, right?"

John Hanks shook his head again and said: "As far as I know, basketball has little influence in China. Few Chinese people know about the NBA, and few people know who Old K is. So, will someone spend money to buy Mammoth sneakers because of him? Look at the scene, are there any other Chinese reporters besides China Central Television?

So when Mammoth, which has been unable to sustain itself, invested huge sums of money to develop the Chinese market, if it cannot get a return, the only result is bankruptcy. "

"John, it's really possible when you say that." Bill Wharton laughed.

John Hanks proudly said: "So Mammoth made a stupid decision. In fact, although Old K's performance is passable, he is not worth a signed sneaker contract."

Bill Walton didn't object to this sentence, and nodded a little bit, because many stars who played 20+10 data did not have signed sneaker contracts.

John Hanks continued: "Old K is currently facing the three super centers and Shaquille O'Neal, his losses are far greater than his points, which is completely incomparable with the three super centers and Shaquille O'Neal.

These four centers can not only score by themselves, but also limit opponents' scoring, and their offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency are equally excellent.

And old K is completely impossible. His ceiling is too low. Facing these powerful guys, he can't provide his own contribution to the team. He has a negative efficiency on the court. "

Bill Walton thought for a while and said: "Old K's athletic ability is really mediocre, not only restricting offense, but also restricting his defense, especially he rarely participates in the team's defense.

But John, you can't compare him with the three super centers and O'Neal. It's not fair. He is not a center of the same level as the four of them.

If you want to compare, the first-class center should be the level that old K is trying to catch up with. His strength is still at the second-rate level. He can only be compared with the second-rate center, at most with the first-rate center. "

"That's right." John Hanks nodded and smiled.

(End of this chapter)