warrior godfather

Florida, Miami.

In summer, Miami Beach is full of tourists, the sky is blue, the water is clear, the waves rushing to the shore stir up fine white water splashes, washing the hot and scalding air, and there are many seabirds hovering in the air, swooping down from time to time , picked up a fish, and then flapped its wings and flew up to sprinkle strings of water drops.

On the bleachers of a resort hotel, Zhang Yu sat comfortably under a parasol, leaning halfway back on a deck chair, sipping a glass of iced Coke, feeling the coolness penetrate into his lungs.

Beside him, Mark Baum and Larry Riley were talking in a low voice. On the other side, Curry, like Jeff Austin and Zhang Yu, were enjoying the summer scenery of Miami Beach.

At this time, the conversation between Mark Baum and Larry Riley came to an end, and he turned to Zhang Yu and said:

"It's a pity that Rick didn't come. Now it happens to be the off-season in Miami, which is the best time for a relaxing vacation."

Zhang Yu smiled and said:

"That's only if there is no hurricane passing through! Rick is busy with the approval of the new arena, and he really has no skills at all, so he can only wait for a later date."

"Anyway, whenever he is free, he can come here. I will arrange a hotel for him at any time." Mark Baum said indifferently.

After the summer league ended, he fulfilled his promise and invited the Warriors players, coaching staff and staff to Miami for vacation, but not everyone was invited to come. Silas was busy organizing the Rockets' lineup and tactics shortly after he took office. Wirtz was so focused on the new arena that he declined Mark Baum's invitation.

None of the players refused. Where to go on vacation is not a vacation. Miami has a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery, and everyone readily agreed. Even training madmen like Butler and Leonard like it very much. After a long offseason of training, it was easy to find a gym and hone my game while on vacation.

Jeff Austin also came here at his own expense. Almost all the free agents under his command have signed contracts. It's useless to worry about not signing, so I might as well take a vacation and relax.

But the agent cannot be insulated from the job. Even when he came to Miami Beach, Jeff Austin still discussed the endorsement contract with Curry.

"...Stephen, I think Nike's contract is better than Under Armour's. Nike offers a higher offer, and they have the best sneaker technology, and they have the most experience in how to develop and operate basketball shoes. Under Armor has never had a relationship with a superstar. I have signed a contract, let alone an MVP-level superstar like you, their announcement and operation are not as good as Nike..."

"However, although Under Armour's quotation is a bit lower, it has the right to share dividends from the sale of signature shoes..."

Zhang Yu heard the discussion between the two, raised his voice and asked:
"Hey, Stephen, Jeff, are you guys talking about the sneaker deal?"

Curry turned his head and said:
"That's right, boss, my sneaker contract with Nike has expired, and I need to re-sign an endorsement contract."

"There should be many brands offering you quotations, right?" Zhang Yu asked.

Jeff Austin nodded and said:
"I have received several contract offers, including Nike, Adidas, Under Armor, Reebok, etc. Among them, Nike and Under Armor have the best conditions, and Stephen has not yet determined which one to sign the contract with."

"Can you tell me their specific quotation?" Zhang Yu asked with interest.

Curry laughed:

"Of course, Nike's offer is 10 million US dollars in 2 years, and it will launch a signature shoe for me every year; Under Armour's offer is lower, 10 million US dollars in 1.5 years, but it comes with a 4.5% signature shoe sales dividend, which is also for me every year. I'm launching a signature shoe."

Jeff Austin added:
"I think the income after signing with Nike is more stable, their sneakers are better and more experienced, and the dividends of Under Armor are illusory. They have not launched a basketball signature shoe before. Signing with Under Armor The stakes are high."

Curry nodded and said:
"Jeff makes a lot of sense, but Under Armour's quotation includes the right to share dividends, and the team they sent was also very sincere in the negotiations, saying that they would do their best to create signature shoes for me, so I am still a little entangled, I don't know Who should I sign with..."

Mark Baum quietly listened to the two of them, and interjected:
"It's not easy. Please ask a professional team to evaluate the future development potential of these two companies. Don't just look at the quotation, the contract can sometimes be deceiving."

Jeff Austin's eyes lit up, and Zhang Yu said with a smile:

"Mark, are you doing investment analysis?"

Mark Baum shrugged:

"I agree with Buffett's words, that is to make value investments, and the endorsement contract is the same, especially the sneaker contract, which is the most important thing for a star, and you must choose the company with more value... How about it, Stephen, I will find someone to make an evaluation report on the development of Nike and Under Armor in the field of sneakers in the next few years, so as to give you a reference."

Curry thanked:
"Thanks, Mark."

Jeff Austin also thanked again and again:

"Then trouble you, Mark, this contract is too important to Stephen, we dare not ignore it, so we have not signed it."

Mark Baum smiled heartily:
"It's okay, it's just a matter of raising your hands. This report will be released within a week. Then you can negotiate with them again."

Curry and Jeff Austin expressed their gratitude to him again, and then Curry looked at Zhang Yu:
"Boss, do you have any comments?"

The other three also turned their gazes over in unison, waiting for his answer.

Larry Riley is used to following Zhang Yu's arrangements, Mark Baum is very convinced of Zhang Yu's business vision, and Jeff Austin is well aware of Zhang Yu's position in Curry's heart, as long as he speaks, even if Curry himself has doubts , will obey without hesitation.

Zhang Yu sat up, picked up the Coke on the round table, took a sip, breathed out a breath of cool air, and said comfortably:
"It depends on your own thinking."

"My thoughts?" Curry wondered.

It was because he was indecisive that he asked Zhang Yu's opinion, why should he depend on his own thoughts?
Zhang Yu said leisurely:
"These two contracts, one is stable and the other is risky. As Jeff said, Nike has a mature technology and operation team. If you sign with them, there will be no problems, but there will be no surprises. Such a big company puts stability first, and will never make any innovations lightly, your signature shoes will not be any different from those of James, Kobe, and Durant, and the endorsement fee is also fixed.”

"As an emerging company, Under Armour's sneaker technology reserves are definitely not as comprehensive as Nike's. They also lack experience in the promotion and operation of sneakers. Your signature shoes will be developed by them, and there will be a lot of risk. But also because In this way, in order to open up the market, Under Armor dares to break through and innovate, and there may be unexpected surprises, from sneaker technology to endorsement income.”

He took another sip of Coca-Cola, and everyone nodded in agreement. Zhang Yu made a very thorough analysis and explained the advantages and disadvantages of the two companies.

"At this time, it depends on whether you want to be rich and safe, or whether you want to be rich." Zhang Yu put down the Coke and said.

"Wealth and wealth are in danger? A little wealth is safe?" Curry looked at Zhang Yu puzzled.

Jeff Austin is also puzzled:
"I can understand that you are begging for wealth and insurance, but what is it about getting rich when you are a little rich? Nike's quotation is also very generous!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said:

"Really? Stephen, if you sign with Nike, how much resources will Nike give you? Before you, there are James and Kobe who have signed with Nike for many years. Their signature shoes have always been the main series of Nike. Du Rand’s signature shoes have also had a very good response in the market, not to mention Nike’s AJ, which invests a lot of publicity and operation energy every year. Nike holds so many series of signature shoes that have already occupied a huge market share. You say they are Do you give priority to stabilizing the basic market, or will you put the treasure on you?"

After his words fell, the three of Mark Baum fell into deep thought, and Curry's face became serious:
"So Nike's contract looks good, but it's not that good?"

Zhang Yu shook his head:

"I can't say that. Jeff is right. Nike's quotation is still very generous. 10 million US dollars in 2 years is definitely the top sneaker endorsement contract, but your endorsement income is only this. In the past 10 years, it will It is the most golden 10 years of your career. This contract will lock in your sneaker endorsement income. After 10 years, Nike will renew your contract with you. The conditions will not be better than this contract. Compared with Under Armour’s contract Wake up, this is Xiao Fu Ji An."

"So what about wealth and insurance?" Curry asked.

Zhang Yu explained:
"Looking for wealth and insurance, it is natural to sign a contract with Under Armor. Under Armor is eager to open up the market in the field of sneakers. If you sign with them, you will be Under Armor's first superstar customer, and you still have Very young, with great potential, the success of Under Armor's decision to enter the field of sneakers depends entirely on the influence of your signature shoes, and they will put all their energy on you."

"You are to Under Armor what Jordan is to Nike. He is the savior of Nike. You are the brave man who leads Under Armor to challenge the dragon of Nike. That's why Under Armor can't wait to give you Dividend rights, they have been looking for an epoch-making superstar comparable to Jordan, and now, they see this potential in you."

After Zhang Yu finished speaking, Curry's expression kept changing, and he murmured in a low voice:
"Jordan to Nike? Is this what wealth and wealth are seeking..."

The atmosphere in the bleachers was a bit dignified. This topic was related to Curry's biggest endorsement contract income in the next ten years. Everyone remained silent, waiting silently for Curry to make a decision.

Zhang Yu smiled and said:

"Of course, this is a big risk. No one knows what kind of shoes Under Armor can make, and if you want to sign with Under Armor, Nike will definitely not sit idly by. They can't get it. You will do everything in your power to suppress your development."

"How will Nike suppress my development?" Curry wondered.

Hearing this, Zhang Yu paused slightly, with a look of memory on his face, and said in a deep voice:
"The first is the slander of public opinion. Nike has a huge influence in the media industry. They will suppress the media's positive reports on you and amplify the negative reports on you. At the same time, they will increase the publicity of their stars and lead the public opinion. The siege against you."

"The second is the selection of various awards. Except for those awards that you have a huge advantage and are absolutely impossible to be left behind, Nike will do everything possible to reduce the honors you can get and suppress your historical status. This kind of suppression will be more obvious when there are fewer awards, such as FMVP, but for awards such as MVP and best team with too many judges, Nike will be powerless."

"Is that all? As long as I play well enough, these are trivial things, right?" Curry wondered.

"What if he doesn't let you play well?"

"Don't let me... fight well?"

"For example, Nike let their signed stars come to the Warriors and share your data and honors. At that time, will you play well, or you will play well, or will he play well?"

Curry widened his eyes and said in disbelief:
"This, this... and this kind of operation?"

Mark Baum was puzzled and said:
"If Nike really wants to do this, it's a good thing for us, right? Wouldn't it be easier to win the championship with one more star?"

Zhang Yu said lightly:
"This is of course a good thing for us, but Stephen's statistics, honors, and even the gold content of the championship will be greatly eclipsed. Nike's goal will be achieved. What they care about is not who wins the championship. They only care about their own market. They will never allow There will be another Jordan, even if it is only possible to become Jordan, it will not work."

Everyone was silent. Zhang Yu's words had a strong taste of conspiracy theory, but except for Curry, the people present were either business elites, big managers, general managers of championship clubs, and after careful consideration, they all felt that Nike really had Possibly so.

They are very clear that everything in this world is based on profit. As long as it is profitable, they can do anything, not to mention the sneaker market involving hundreds of millions or billions of dollars. Nike relied on Jordan to get out of the brink of bankruptcy. They absolutely don't want to see a second Jordan appear.

Curry's current momentum is even fiercer than Jordan's. If it really gets to that point, it is entirely possible for Nike to use this kind of suicide attack.

Curry kept shaking his head and murmured:

"Boss, if Nike really did this, it would be too vicious. If you hadn't brought it up, I would never have imagined that such a thing would happen..."

Zhang Yu smiled and said:

"Okay, this is just my wild guess. Maybe Nike is not as dirty as I thought, but is competing with Under Armour? And this is only after you sign a contract with Under Armour. As a result, as long as you sign a contract with Nike, none of these things will happen. Even if Nike will not give you too many resources, it will also provide you with support in public opinion and award selection. They have worked hard in the league for many years , has a wide and far-reaching influence, and can definitely help you."

Jeff Austin nodded and said:
"That's right, Stephen, Nike spends more than a billion dollars on advertising each year, and their influence in the sports media is too strong. If you sign with Nike, it will have a great impact on your personal award selection and public opinion in the media." favorable."

"Jeff, if I'm not wrong, Nike also has a strong influence on agents and players, right?" Zhang Yu glanced at him and said with a smile.

Jeff Austin's complexion changed slightly, and then he nodded frankly:
"That's right, Nike pays a lot of public relations fees to the major agents every year. I can get hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. Compared with their advertising and endorsement expenses, this is just a small amount of money... But, Stephen, I'm your agent, not a Nike employee, and I'm only looking out for your interests, and you can trust my work ethic. I truly believe that signing with Nike is in your best interest."

Curry met Jeff Austin's calm gaze, hesitated for a moment, and then looked at Zhang Yu:
"Boss, who do you think I should sign with?"

Zhang Yu spread his hands and said with a smile:
"As I said, it depends on your own ideas. Signing with Nike will be very stable. The lower limit is not low, but the upper limit is not high. Nike's AJ is already the limit. There is no room for another 'Curry Brand', but You will have a great advantage in the selection of various awards, and you will be able to get full support from the media. You will receive the same treatment as James and Durant. They can turn black into white, no matter how much you play Too bad, they can all be praised as No.1, second, and third in the league..."

"Signing with Under Armor, the lower limit will be very low, but the upper limit will be high. Your signature shoe series may be in a mess, or it may skyrocket, but you need to face Nike's suppression and strangulation. Of course, with me, you Don't worry about problems in the locker room and the team, and there will be no Nike stars joining the Warriors to launch a suicide attack on you, but the public opinion environment around you will be very bad. Keep proving this, proving that, and as soon as you play a little bit worse, you will immediately be disqualified as a superstar and face a situation where everyone criticizes you."

Curry nodded slowly while listening, his eyes kept changing, and his heart seemed to be in a fierce struggle.

Mark Baum asked:
"No, Ronan, after James left the Cavaliers, he was scolded by the fans every day, and now he can't hold his head up. Does Nike really have that much influence on public opinion?"

Zhang Yu smiled and said:

"You also said that James was scolded by the fans. Don't forget, his decision was made on ESPN's live broadcast. The media has always been very tolerant of him. It's always because James is tired and James tried his best. Believe me, as long as James After winning a championship, the media can immediately praise him to the sky, because he is the face of Nike after Kobe. It’s just that now is the information age, Nike can’t stop the fans’ mouths, and James has lost consecutively It took two years to be scolded so badly."

Mark Baum laughed loudly:
"In that case, you are the culprit. If we hadn't won the Heat this year and James' reputation has reversed, wouldn't he be the real emperor now!"

Zhang Yu shrugged:

"It can't be my fault. Who made James not live up to his expectations, not beating the Mavericks, and then losing to us?"

"Hahaha……"

When the two were talking and laughing, Curry also finished thinking. He looked at the blue and rippling sea in the distance, which seemed to be connected with the sky, and said:
"Boss, I want to sign a contract with Under Armor!"

"Oh? You made a decision so quickly? Don't wait for Mark's evaluation report?" Zhang Yu raised his eyebrows and asked.

Curry shook his head and said:
"You have made it very clear that Nike is so powerful, no matter how you evaluate it, it is based on past data to make predictions, and you must be optimistic about Nike."

Mark Baum slapped his thigh and said angrily:
"That's right! I forgot that this is not a purely commercial investment. In the field of sneakers, who can compare to Nike? No matter how you evaluate it, the result is the same. Unless you sign with Under Armor as a prerequisite, Nike must be I'm not as clear as Ronan after defeating Under Armour!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said:

"Stephen, have you really decided? Stop thinking about it? Jordan is not so easy to be, especially Jordan in the 21st century. Now is the information age, you will be stared at by a magnifying glass all the time, and Nike will never let go But you are a thorn in the side, a thorn in the flesh, even if Jordan plays in this era, he will fall from the altar, after all, he has too many black spots off the court."

Curry nodded heavily and said:
"I've decided! Wealth and wealth are in danger. I believe in my strength. I rely on basketball to speak. I'm not afraid of anyone! Even if I can't be Under Armour's Jordan, I will be Under Armor's Curry instead of Nike's No. [-] player." Two Kobes, two James, two Durants!"

"Okay, have ambition!" Mark Baum praised.

"And..." Curry suddenly smiled, "Boss, you must have a way, right? With you here, I'm not afraid of Nike's suppression!"

Zhang Yu looked at Curry with a sly look on his face, and said with a smile:
"You think highly of me. That's Nike, the giant in the field of sneakers. Believe it or not, in order to snipe you, Nike can casually form a team of the Big Three?"

"I believe it, but I'm not afraid. If they form the Big Three, we can too, right, boss?"

Zhang Yu scolded with a smile:
"Don't think about the Big Three. Dual-core is not a big problem. I also want to save some luxury tax. I will see you playing in the new arena sooner!"

Seeing that Curry had made up his mind, Jeff Austin sighed secretly and said:

"Stephen, now that you've made up your mind, I'll reject Nike and invite someone from Under Armor to discuss a specific contract..."

"Jeff, don't worry!" Zhang Yu suddenly interjected, "Stephen, are you satisfied with the 4.5% dividend?"

Curry's eyes lit up:
"Boss, what do you mean..."

"At least 10% dividends!" Zhang Yu said firmly, "Under Armor needs you now, not you. Since you signed a contract with them at the risk of offending Nike, of course you should get more compensation Jeff, talk to Nike again, put forward the conditions for dividends, and talk to Under Armor after Nike refuses, and use this negotiation with Nike to put pressure on Under Armour, not afraid that they will disagree. "

"Then what if Nike agrees to pay Stephen a dividend?" Jeff Austin asked.

"If Nike agrees, is it still Nike?"

Jeff Austin smiled sarcastically:
"That's right, with so many stars under Nike's command, how could it be possible to agree to give Stephen the right to share dividends? Where will Kobe, James, and Durant be placed..."

"Also, don't sign a 10-year contract with Under Armor, just sign a 5-year contract. It doesn't matter if the endorsement fee is lower, as long as you guarantee 10% of the dividend right."

"Ah? Why is that?" Jeff Austin asked puzzled.

"Will Jordan in 1991 sign the same contract as Jordan in 1996?"