American Life

Chapter 224 Grand Prix, you have full control
The meeting with Bernie came much earlier than Charlie expected. Tamara called Charlie almost the next day.

Then Charlie turned around and contacted Sumaner.

"The other party has agreed, and the formal meeting will begin next, so your subordinates can prepare relevant materials." Charlie said slowly.

"We have prepared additional public relations expenses for the F1 Grand Prix to be settled in Abu Dhabi." Sumaner continued, and he had already promised Charlie last night.

There was no local technology and no market, but there was no shortage of money. The only thing that could be given to Charlie was money.

And that's exactly what Charlie needs.

The amount was equivalent to the previous remuneration, which was million U.S. dollars. Charlie accepted it as soon as it was good. He couldn't go too far in extorting money. Besides, there was still room for cooperation between the two parties in the future.

This is also the conclusion that Charlie came to after thinking for a long time. From the initial bidding to the subsequent requests, it can be seen that the other party intends to establish contact with him. It cannot be just to make friends. Everything is based on business. On cooperation.

"Very good, then we'll meet at Bernie's private residence tomorrow." Charlie hung up the phone.

Arriving at Bernie's mansion, it was still Tamara who welcomed Charlie and Sumaner.

"Father is already waiting for you two in the room."

Outside Bernie's secluded mansion is a vast golf course, and there is a standard conference room in the basement.

After sending the group inside, Tamara exited the room, leaving only Bernie and two young assistants.

"Are you Charlie Rossi?" Bernie, who had white hair, looked at Charlie.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Bernie."

Bernie Ecclestone shook hands with Charlie first, followed by Sumner.

Not to mention Sumaner, even Charlie felt a little surprised. He was just a lobbyist at best this time, but Bernie valued himself more.

Then Sumaner's men began to introduce the entire project plan, and at the same time began to use the computer to link to the large screen to project the plan.

However, after less than 10 minutes of introduction, he was rudely interrupted by Bernie.

"You guys have no experience in preparing for large-scale events, and you don't know enough about F1. This is a piece of shit that everyone dislikes!" Bernie made a dissatisfied voice, and began to directly reprimand him as if facing his own subordinates. stand up.

"Do you think you can get things done by finding me directly? You have forgotten why you failed, and the only value you have in finding me now is to let me refuse in person."

Bernie's attitude completely caught everyone present by surprise. No one could have imagined that as soon as he came up, he would directly kill the potential cooperation.

Sumaner wanted to speak several times, but didn't know where to start. He looked at his subordinates, who were looking at him with the same pleading eyes.

In desperation, Sumaner once again looked at Charlie for help.

Don't always count on me, I'm just an assistant!Charlie cursed in his heart, so he pretended not to see...

There was really no other way, so Sumaner had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "We will make changes based on the relevant scale of existing events, and we also need more relevant opinions from FOM."

"It's hopeless." Bernie covered his forehead with a terrible look, and then looked at Charlie sitting next to Sumaner.

“What would you do if you were the applicant?”

The way he asked questions was very much like a teacher testing his students.

Charlie pondered for a moment: "I am not able to host the F1 race now, but if I have a reason to host it, then given the current situation, I will try to transfer some of the benefits, such as finding other partners."

"Listen, this is a qualified business decision. There is no shortage of buyers for oil. From this perspective, F1 is the same. From Monaco to Hamburg to Milan, everyone is queuing up. Give me a reason to choose you. ” Bernie then started applying pressure.

Sure enough, it was an old fox.

Charlie heard it. From the initial refusal to the unhurried request, it was obvious that he wanted Sumaner to make concessions.

In the end, Sumaner relaxed.

It wasn't until this moment that Bernie finally had a smile on his face, and he spoke unhurriedly: "Do you know the F1 Grand Prix that just ended in Las Vegas not long ago? Our cooperation with the local area is very It went well, we gave a large amount of money to the local area, and we also helped promote the local area for free. There were tens of thousands of spectators who came to observe the event in person, and the prices of local hotels doubled in a short period of time.”

"This is also my arrangement for Abu Dhabi. We will take full responsibility for the production, operation and broadcast of this event. You don't even need to provide manpower. In addition, given that we are the first world-class event to be settled in Abu Dhabi , can you give us some corresponding discounts? As you know, even though there are more and more F1 events, the profitability is mixed."

"As long as your conditions are right, I will consider long-term cooperation." Bernie said briefly.

What followed was a series of tug-of-war. Seeing Sumaner gradually being pushed to the edge, Charlie suddenly said:

"As someone who has experienced it, I also hope that the cooperation can continue for a long time, but it is obviously difficult for us to agree to the condition of maintaining the same price for seven years. It is better to change the rental price of the corresponding venue to increase year by year, and let Mr. Sumaner go back and give an explanation. What do you think?"

"Yes, yes, that's what I want to say." Sumaner said repeatedly as if grasping a life-saving straw.

Bernie looked at Charlie again, this time his eyes became quite unkind, but Charlie didn't react at all.

"Well, this is the only condition I can agree to." Bernie shook his head.

In essence, the general conditions of this contract are very generous for FOM, not only has the initiative, but also can rent the relevant venues at a price far below the market price.

And what can Sumaner get?Just less than one month’s rent and a nominal commission.Abu Dhabi is not as attractive to tourists as Las Vegas, and most of the potential revenue cannot be realized.

But then again, Abu Dhabi also got the "event hosting experience" it wanted most, and it also got some international exposure.

As for whether this business is worthwhile for Sumaner and the others, Charlie cannot give a specific answer.

As for the remaining details of the contract, Bernie and Sumaner left it to their men to negotiate.

"I won't leave you to eat. I'm afraid you won't be used to it. By the way, Tamara seems to have something to ask you. I'm afraid you have to stay here for a while." Before going out, Bernie suddenly spoke to Charlie again. .

What else is she doing?Isn’t it all over?
Charlie didn't ask any more questions and took the initiative to stay.

After Sumaner left, Bernie looked at Charlie and said very displeasedly: "You are an American, when did you get involved with them?"

"It's a long story. What do you want from me?" Charlie asked.

Bernie shook his head and told the truth: "She is not looking for you, but I am looking for you."

So, deliberately moving out the daughter, is it because you don't want Su Maner to worry too much?You don't want to ruin your relationship with the other person.

"It's still early, come over and have dinner with me and my daughter." After saying these words, Bernie turned and left.

"I this afternoon..." Charlie tried.

"You want to discuss with Richard Branson this afternoon? He is not in the UK at all." Bernie said directly.

What does this old man want?
Although he insisted on leaving and the other party could not stop him, Charlie finally chose to stay.

At the dinner table, Charlie met Tamara again, and she was also surprised that she would appear here.

There was no other family at the dinner table except Tamara.

During the break, Bernie began to ask Charlie constantly, from how to bind Sumaner, to his current work, and his future strategy.

Some Charlie chose to answer, such as how to get on the line with Sumaner. As for future strategies, Charlie did not talk much.

"Hollywood is a high-risk place. Those producers will try to take money out of your pocket, but they are still within the scope of the law. The stupidest thing in the world is to use your own money to make a movie. ." Bernie bluntly expressed his disdain for Hollywood. According to his tone, Hollywood is a complete scam.

In a sense, what he said was actually not wrong.But if the movie succeeds, the return will be far better than any other investment method in the world.

And Charlie, of course, knows which movie will be successful.

"Compared to movies, sports events are the real way to make money. The best drama can be performed without a script. Hollywood will never be able to do this. Do you know WWE? Find a few muscular guys who have never gone to school. Wrestling and beating on the stage can be valued at tens of billions of dollars. The commercial value of the Premier League is seriously underestimated. I thought you were hanging out with Sumaner to buy that Premier League team."

Yes, the commercial value of the Premier League has risen rapidly in the past decade, but the threshold is still unattainable for Charlie now.

After the meal, Bernie actually pulled Charlie out of the house and asked Charlie to play golf with him.

"Have you ever played golf before?" Bernie took Charlie into the showroom. Charlie saw a signed photo of Bernie and Tiger Woods hanging on the wall.

Seeing Charlie shaking his head, Bernie added: "Then you have to learn from me. This will be very useful to you. The rich OLDMAN likes this thing the most. Do you know why?"

"Because golf is expensive and decent enough?" Charlie tried.

"You only answered the superficial characteristics, but ignored the essence." Bernie took out the golden clubs displayed in the cabinet, which also had Tiger Woods' signature on them.

"The German philosopher Simmel said that any fashion is essentially the product of social class distinctions and a symbol that distinguishes social classes." Bernie put on a sun hat.

"Because it needs to be distinguished, it has the value of existence and is respected by others. My two little daughters don't understand this. They only care about whether it is glamorous and eye-catching. It is really a stupid idea. ” Bernie shook his head.

He even took the initiative to help Charlie choose the equipment, and then Charlie and Bernie got on the golf cart and went deep into the venue.

"The last young man who came to this venue was Tiger Woods. Do you want to know what you two have in common?" Bernie asked, holding the handrail and looking at the lush and neatly trimmed lawn.

This time, without waiting for Charlie to reply, he took the initiative to speak.

"You have achieved results that are unmatched by your peers, but you are too immature and want to indulge yourself. He has quite a few female companions in private, and he enjoys it."

"You have the same problem as him. Never, never, take women too seriously. When you reach a certain level, these things will happen naturally. Even if you are dating those Hollywood female stars now, you may be just like ordinary people. It’s as simple as going out to buy a pack of cigarettes, you know what I mean?”

"Actually, your two daughters work very hard. You can give them a chance." Charlie continued.

"No, they are not qualified. They will only serve as your assistant this time."

"Wait..." Charlie once wondered if he heard wrongly.

"Yes, this winter's Grand Prix will be dominated by you. I am old and my energy is not what it used to be. I should give young people more opportunities." He didn't seem to be joking at all.

"No one among the young people in the company can catch my eye, why don't I look for it from the outside?"

"Are you curious why I chose you?"

"I see the shadow of me in you." Bernie swung vigorously, and the golf ball drew a parabola in the air...

·
"Thank you for helping me resolve the crisis at the meeting today. If it's Bernie's conditions, I won't be able to explain them when I go back." Sumaner's attitude on the phone has become extraordinarily sincere, and he no longer has the pride he had before.

"In addition, His Highness sincerely invites you to go to Abu Dhabi. He is very much looking forward to meeting you. From what I can see, your relationship with us will become closer after this trip, which will lead to further cooperation. ." Sumaner said.

Charlie talked about Bernie's arrangement, so naturally he had to inform the other party about it.

Sumaner expressed warm welcome to this.

"Since Bernie is willing to transfer his rights to you, it will be more convenient for us to communicate."

Looking at it this way, any compensation given to Charlie Rossi before was very cost-effective.

Two days later, Charlie and Keira left the UK and came to Abu Dhabi.

This His Highness is younger than Charlie imagined, and feels about the same age as himself.

"Now that we have a basis for cooperation, we can now talk about investment." After going around in such a big circle, Charlie could finally put the investment matter on the table.

"Of course, since you have helped me so much, this investment cannot go away." The young man did not miss his words.

"In addition to investing in your technology company, I am also planning to talk to you about a bigger business this time." He said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)