In America, the winner takes all.

Chapter 128 "Legendary" Sponsor (24)

The "stocky" man opposite Ethan stretched out his hand.

He looked like a large penguin or a marmot, with a round face, a round belly, a short stature, and the straps of his pants were almost stretched out of shape.

"Hello Simeone." Ethan shook hands with him.

Ethan knows the Wilson brand, he sees it every day.

The gloves he is currently using are produced by Wilson, a relatively professional manufacturer of rugby sporting goods.

It mainly produces "helmets", "protective gear", "gloves", and the most important one - "football".

As a sporting goods company founded in 1913, Wilson has a deep connection with the sport of rugby.

Since 1941, Wilson has been used as a professional game ball in the American League and National League at that time, and this practice has been maintained to this day.

All game balls, including the NCAA, NFL, and CFL (Canadian Football League), are provided by Wilson. This sporting goods company also mainly takes a technical route. For rugby alone, it continues to carry out technological iterations and applies for a number of patents.

It can be said that Wilson is still very professional in making these related sports goods, so much so that even though Nike is willing to provide several times the sponsorship, it still cannot get the league to switch to it.

However, sporting goods companies that are deeply involved in technology research and development often don't pay much attention to marketing, and have been gradually marginalized. In terms of the most profitable jerseys and sneakers, Wilson can't even compete with Nike, not even Reebok. It was squeezed into the sporting goods accessories market with the smallest market share, and gradually became a second-tier brand, and its brand influence was limited to the United States.Ten years later, it was acquired by Amer Sports for US$2 million, becoming a brother to Arc'teryx and Fila.

“The company attaches great importance to cooperation with schools, including USC (University of Southern California), FSU (Florida State), UT (University of Texas), UM (University of Michigan), St. Thomas Aquinas High School (St. . Thomas Aquinas High School) are all supported by our company providing rugby equipment." Simeone explained.

"There are not many sporting goods companies like Wilson who are deeply involved in the youth training system and sincerely provide assistance in cultivating young players." Grace also echoed from the side, looking at the bright smile on her face, she must have learned a lot just now .

"BHHS has achieved an impressive record this semester. It has not lost in any competition. This result is also very eye-catching in the country. The national championship is about to be held. At this critical moment, Wilson decided to compete with The school has reached a strategic cooperation..." Simeone continued.

His words also explained why he visited bhhs at this time. It was because the Normans were about to start playing in the national championship, which would usher in a huge wave of exposure. For companies, of course it has sponsorship value.

Then, Simeone lowered his head and looked at the position of Ethan's feet. Ethan had not changed out of his sneakers at this time.

"As far as I know, Ethan, you have not had any dealings or exchanges with other sporting goods companies." Simeone said implicitly.

It can be said that more than half of the reason for sponsoring BHHS is Ethan O'Connor's personal relationship.

The Wilson Company certainly doesn't have the opportunity to connect directly with Ethan O'Connor personally.

"So, the school has agreed to let you wear Wilson's sneakers to participate in the national championship. This is one of the conditions of the sponsorship." Grace had already agreed to the offer.

"But I haven't agreed yet." Ethan shook his head.

Her feet grow on her own body, so the school doesn't say what shoes to wear. Grace makes her own decision.

"Of course, Wilson will give you some friendly help." Simeone said directly.

"Just wearing sneakers?" Ethan asked again. This was also the most important reason why he had not agreed to sponsorship from a big brand before.

Wearing sneakers should just be wearing sneakers, without any other conditions.

"Of course, it's just a gift of some sports equipment." Simeone said.

As a second-tier brand, even if it wants to operate, it does not have the ability to operate.

As for Robert Greenberg (founder of SKECHERS), Ethan could only say sorry to him.

From a long-term perspective, Wilson and Robert Greenberg do not actually conflict, and there may even be opportunities for three-way cooperation.But in the short term, Ethan can only choose one person, of course Wilson, who is willing to invest directly and is more professional at the same time.

Ethan nodded: "I know a friend who has a good relationship with me. You can contact her directly."

Ethan gave Simone the phone number of Susan, his agent.

"One more thing, I have a new proposal." Ethan continued.

"Compared to inviting me over, I think my teammates are also worthy of attention. They are also a group of very talented and hard-working young men." Ethan suddenly mentioned his teammates.

Nowadays, media reports about the team are gradually increasing, and the players have gained a certain degree of fame, otherwise the name "Power Rangers" would not have emerged.

I can accept gifts from sporting goods companies like Wilson, and the same can be done by my teammates, but the strength and reputation are a few levels lower, and the "price tag" is a little lower.

"Don't think too much. I'm just providing a suggestion. This is not included in my discussion with you." Ethan added.

The implication is that Ethan himself and his team members are two different things and do not interfere with each other.

"If you need it, I can also help you contact my teammates. After all, we are together every day, which is very convenient." Ethan continued.

"This matter... we still need to make a specific assessment." Simeone did not give a definite answer.

"You have to know that we are still unknown now. Maybe in one month, we will be the national champion. If you want to negotiate with my teammates by then, the price will be different from now." Ethan mentioned.

Simone did not give a definite answer in the end. The California marketing director obviously had to go back and discuss it with his colleagues in detail. Ethan expressed his willingness to give him some time.

When Ethan and I walked out of the sports director's office, they found that it was completely dark outside.

Kate was waiting for him at the door of the office, with her coat still covering her legs.

"Is the matter settled?" Kate stood up gloomily. She waited for Ethan all afternoon.

"To be precise, not yet, I need to talk to my teammates now." Ethan said to her.

Ethan went straight to the dressing room, and Kate followed suit. Ethan asked her to wait for him in a warmer place, but she insisted on following him.

The teammates had gone home by now, and there was silence in the locker room. Ethan immediately took out his cell phone and called Flea first.

"I just got home, what can I do?" Flea asked.

"It's like this, I just met with the person in charge of Wilson Sporting Goods Company..." Ethan briefly explained the situation just now.

"It's possible, I'm just saying it's possible, this company will contact you or your family in a few days to discuss...sponsorship."

"Oh, this is illegal! If I get caught, I will never be able to enter the arena again, at least in the NCAA arena!" Flea immediately objected.He also has a clear plan for his future.I'm afraid it will affect my future.

"In fact, any famous amateur athlete will go through this choice, you just don't know it. And each of them chose the same answer. This is something I only learned when I participated in the All-Star Game, Peyton Mann Why would Ning choose the University of Tennessee instead of Mississippi State despite being called a traitor?"

"If you ask me, maybe it's because of his cleverness, or maybe a little interest mixed in. This is inevitable. We live in a modern society, not a rugby utopia. Think about your parents? Think about what they have paid for you. How much, should they get some reward?" Ethan comforted.

The flea on the other end of the phone didn't respond for a long time.

"Of course, I'm not forcing you to make a choice. In fact, the choice is still in your hands. I'm just telling you that there is one thing that you need to prepare for. For example... you need someone with rich negotiation experience. I’m here to help you get the best interests for you, make sure that everything is secret enough, and also make sure that it has nothing to do with you on the surface. Yes, that’s right, the person I’m looking for meets this condition. Also, if I remember correctly, your father is A truck driver whose mother is a field worker working in Hollywood, it seems that he is not qualified for this job..." Ethan mentioned deliberately.

Just say the words "I have someone here, I can help you" directly to the flea.

"Who are you looking for?" Flea couldn't help but ask.

"She is a friend of mine. She works in a big agency and is responsible for handling the negotiations for large-scale performances by big stars, which cost tens of millions or hundreds of millions of dollars. She will help me handle this matter." Ethan said a little Said exaggeratedly.

"Rice's mother?" The person on the other end of the phone was suppressing a smile.

"Uh..." Ethan didn't expect him to say it directly.

"Can I ask her to help me deal with this matter?" Flea continued to ask.

After all, compared to his parents, Hollywood's "big" agents are the most reliable.

"Of course, I think I should be able to help you. After all, we are teammates, and..."

"And I'm the first one in the team to be optimistic about you. I helped you become the main player at wide receiver." Flea immediately talked about what happened before.

"Yes, but she is also very busy and will leave this matter to the people around her, which requires some costs."

"commission?"

"Yes."

"Okay, of course you have to pay a commission. After all, I have only met Rice's mother, so I can pay the commission." Flea agreed.

"Well, if Wilson Company is really willing to sponsor you, we will officially start negotiations." Ethan hung up the phone.

Then he called other main players, and what he said was very different from that of a flea.

Except for two teammates who could take the initiative to take on the work because their parents were working in Hollywood, and Rice, a special person, everyone else agreed to let Ethan provide "paid help."

At first, Kate did not disturb Ethan, but wandered alone in the dressing room. When she heard the specific content of Ethan's call, she came over and looked at Ethan curiously.

"You look exactly like Sarah Douglas when she called other models." Kate naturally understood Ethan's purpose.

"Yes, to be precise, he is a human resources broker." Ethan shrugged, but admitted it.

There is no doubt that the world of high school sports has always been in a gray area due to various restrictions.Teammates are trivial things that can only be used to practice their skills.

But if you consider that you are now in 1994, when so many future sports superstars have not yet emerged, and you are backed by professionals like Lisa, this business is not impossible.

To give an inappropriate example, if you get up at four o'clock tomorrow morning, you might see a black man playing basketball on a field in Los Angeles.

"Do you know IMG?" Ethan raised his head and asked Kate Moss.

"Of course I do." Kate Moss nodded.

Since 1984, after IMG acquired Zoli Agency, the largest model agency in Europe at the time, IMG has become a well-known model agency.

What she didn't know was that she would also sign with IMG in the future.

In fact, IMG, which is well-known in the model agency industry, started out as a sports agent and is still a giant in the sports agency industry. This is IMG's main business.

"Okay, I've finished handling my own affairs, now it's time to talk about our affairs." Ethan put down his phone.

Kate had been standing by just now, and only took the initiative to speak after making sure that she had ended everything. Although she was quite clingy at times, at least she was quite honest at critical moments.

"I came here this time to collect debts and settle accounts from you!" Kate's expression suddenly became sharp.

　When writing this chapter, I decided to speak from my heart.

　　Because of various reasons, for example, this is a topic recommended by the editor, and the editor has been reading it and telling me what I should write and what should not be written.In addition, the content of the book itself is "fragmented" and is a platter. The readers themselves have different opinions, and there is really no frame of reference.

　　All the above reasons lead to one result: my writing is very awkward, very awkward, and very constrained.

　　You may not be able to tell, but some places are really weird.

　　Many of the plots are "Xiao He only shows off her sharp points", and I dare not expand on them because I have too many worries.Worrying about gains and losses, being cautious to the point of tying yourself up.

　　This caused my mentality to become more and more tense, and I had to do a long time of mental construction before starting to code every day.

　　This awkward state continued until yesterday.

　　I think I need to try to make a change.

　　Because people can't be suffocated to death by peeing, right?

　　Therefore, it is necessary to let go of some worries, boldly push forward, and boldly move forward.

　　In terms of rugby, you still have to be a star, so that you can meet the needs of plot advancement.My goal is to be detailed, interesting, and interesting.

　　As for positioning, this book is not about "the growth of a player", but "the growth of a star". The difference between one word and one word is actually quite large.

(End of this chapter)