America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 254 Becoming a Giant in Commercial Sports
Indiana, the capital city of Polis.

Conrad Hotel,
Executive lounge on the fourth floor.

In a box facing the street.

Abel stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the bustling and bright city below, as well as the city's busy traffic.

Although the city of Polis is small, it also depends on where it is compared with.

In 2001, there were not many such cities in the world.

After 2010, with the crazy evolution of rabbits, more and more cities began to build crazy infrastructure.

After that, all kinds of bustling night cities in the West, except for a few places like Manhattan or the City of London.

The prosperity at night will be surpassed by the rising China.

This made the young rabbits who went abroad in that era feel very uncomfortable.

After visiting many cities in these capitalist countries.

Many people would say in their hearts——"That's it?"

But that's later.

At present, the United States still dominates.

After watching the scenery outside the window for a few seconds, Abel turned around, with his back to the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, looked at the middle-aged white man in the room and said with a smile:

"Mr. Mosley. I have the financial reports of Jedson Entertainment for the past two years. Don't worry about how I got them, anyway, they are accurate. In these financial reports, most of Jedson Entertainment's business is profitable Yes, only a small part is a loss."

"There is nothing wrong." Abel said to the FIA ​​vice president in front of him, to Max Mosley:
"The part of Jedson Entertainment's loss-making business appeared on the American Grand Prix of Formula 1 they hosted."

Jedson Entertainment is a company on the US side, which is mainly engaged in media, hotels and some tourism businesses.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the United States hosted the F1 Formula One race in the United States, which was undertaken by Jedson Entertainment.

For this reason, Jedson Entertainment has to pay the FIA ​​and F1 every year, which is close to 800 million US dollars.

As for Max Mosley, he is one of the current FIA vice presidents.

FIA, the abbreviation of World Automobile Federation, is the organizer of F1, which is equivalent to FIFA's status in global football.

Max Mosley was also clear about these things that Abel said.

Most of the organizers of Formula 1 competitions held around the world every year can make money.

The United States is very evil.

It is obviously one of the countries with the largest number of cars in the world.

Car culture has long penetrated into every aspect of this country.

However, as the top competition in racing, Formula 1 racing has been unacceptable in the United States for many years.

In the United States F1, even in the late 70s to the mid 90s, was in a state of complete suspension.

It was not until 1998 that a company stood up and hosted the F1 Grand Prix in the United States.

That company was Jedson Entertainment.

This company has hosted F1 in the United States for three times, and this year is the fourth time.

The first three times, except for the first year when I made some money.

After the second and third times, I didn't make any money.

In parallel time and space, it is precisely because of this reason.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, after 2007, stopped hosting the F1 American Grand Prix.

Because I never made any money.

After several years, a new victim came out and took over again.

FIA, the organizer of Formula 1 racing, is also very helpless about this.

To some extent, FIA's attitude towards the United States is a bit like their counterpart FIFA's attitude towards rabbits more than ten years later.

Looking at Abel who told these truths, FIA Vice President Max Mosley looked at him:
"Mr. Smith. We all know these situations. But the reality is like this, and we can't change anything."

If it can be changed, and the FIA ​​can do it.That doesn't have to be done by Americans or Abel.

The FIA, which wants to make money from Americans, has already taken the initiative to do so.

"Leave it to me." Abel said suddenly, "I can change this situation."

Hearing Abel's resolute tone, Max Mosley frowned: "Mr. Smith, what do you mean?"

"Give me the F1 American Grand Prix." Abel said:

"Then the FIA ​​backed me up and let me buy the F1 holding company."

Hearing Abel's request, Max Mosley opened his mouth silently.

The vice president quickly reacted, and immediately said: "I'm afraid it will be difficult, Mr. Smith."

"I invited Bernie Ecclestone, he will come here to discuss with me tomorrow." Abel smiled and said:

"Maybe Bernie Ecclestone will agree, maybe he will say no. But this is my attempt to introduce F1 more successfully to the world's largest car-consuming country."

"I believe this is what the FIA ​​wants to see the most. You don't want the country on wheels, the richest and most influential country in the world, but there are not many traces of F1."

Max Mosley was silent.

after awhile.

The vice president of the World Automobile Federation, he said softly:
"Then why do you think you can succeed? The FIA ​​and F1 Holding Company have been working hard for decades and have not been able to achieve, can you do it?"

"Of course I can." Abel immediately replied confidently.

"Why?" said Max Mosley.

"Because I am the boss of Smith Media. Because Smith Media is about to acquire NBC Television Network, and because Smith Media is about to become one of the largest media groups in the United States."

Abel looked at Max Mosley, "As long as I become the boss of F1, then F1 will get the biggest promotion in the United States. I believe that as long as the means are right, F1 can also become the same as the big four in the United States." The league is just as welcome."

Max Mosley had a sense of being persuaded.

The reason why F1 has been ignored in the United States for a long time is that the ratings are not good.

The reasons for this are known to the FIA ​​and F1 holding companies themselves.

That is, on the American side, F1 did not allow many American giants to share the benefits.

Of course, Americans will not vigorously promote things that are not beneficial.

It's a lot like how football is treated here in the US.

If there is a giant in the United States to promote it vigorously.

With the prevalence of American car culture, coupled with the huge influence of F1 among racing fans all over the world
F1 has never been less successful in the US than in Europe.

But if...if the power of the F1 holding company is to be surrendered.

Max Mosley doesn't think the FIA ​​and Bernie Ecclestone will agree.

"It's still hard," Max Mosley said:

"Mr. Smith. Even if I agree, the FIA ​​will not necessarily agree. I am just a vice president. Even if the FIA ​​agrees, Bernie Ecclestone will not agree. More importantly, you and I both understand that the last What matters is the attitude of those car companies."

Abel knew what Max Mosley meant.

On the surface, the FIA ​​has the most power over Formula One racing.

In terms of actual holding and control, it is actually the F1 holding company founded and established by Bernie Ecclestone.

If you go back to a deeper level, the real power of F1 lies with those car companies.

The FIA ​​has obtained the influence and reputation of F1, and the F1 holding company has obtained actual interests and control rights.

The real behind-the-scenes of F1 are the car companies that benefit from it.

The three parties are indispensable, and the mutual compromise and cooperation between the two parties have created the emergence of the F1 formula car.

"If you don't talk about it, how will you know the result?"

Abel said: "You can take what I mean and go back to the FIA ​​headquarters."

Max Mosley nodded and said: "I will definitely do this. Please rest assured."

Abel smiled, and Max Mosley left worried.

As soon as Max Mosley left, Abel was alone in the box for a few minutes.

A few minutes later he called in David Jones.

"What is Miss Li doing now?" Abel asked.

"Miss Anna Li, drinking coffee and reading a book in the cafe next to the executive lounge."

"Miss Jessica Lee, just arrived at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Miss Bush."

David replied.

"Let's go." Abel stood up, "I'm going to see the elder Miss Li."

David smiled back.

Surrounded by his entourage, Abel left the business box in the executive corridor.

When passing the lounge hall, halfway through the walk, Abel heard someone calling himself.

"Mr. Smith? Mr. Smith? Mr. Smith?"

In this kind of place, few people will make a lot of noise.

Once someone makes a loud noise, it is easy to get everyone's attention.

Abel also looked over, and he saw a dozen meters away, an old white man who looked like five or sixty years old and wearing glasses was blocked by his bodyguard, waving to him.

Abel felt that the old man looked familiar, and David whispered in his ear at this time: "It's David Stern, the president of the NBA."

When David reminded him, Abel also remembered the identity of this little old man.

After thinking about it, Abel said to Edward, "Let Mr. Stern come over, and we'll go back to where we were just now."

After a few minutes.

David Stern and Abel came to the business box where Abel and Max Mosley stayed just now.

"Mr. Stern, hello, I'm Abel Smith, and I'm the owner of the Houston Rockets."

In the box, Abel smiled and reached out to the little old man David Stern.

David Stern looked a little flattered, not sure if he was putting it on.

He quickly held Abel's hand with both hands, shaking and laughing:

"Mr. Smith being able to join the big family of the NBA is the happiest thing for me this year! My name is David Stern, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Abel pressed lightly, and David Stern immediately let go of his hand.

The two sat down separately in the business box.

"How did Mr. Stern come to Polis? I remember there is no basketball team here?"

"Oh, there seems to be." As soon as he finished speaking, Abel remembered that there was an NBA basketball team in Polis called the Indiana Pacers, and the home arena was still called the Conseco Arena.

David Stern smiled wryly, Mr. President of the league, he didn't think Abel was making fun of the NBA by not immediately thinking of the Indiana Pacers.

Because in fact, at the top of this country.

Many big shots really don't pay much attention to the NBA.

This is mainly because in this league, black occupies too much proportion.

It has been so much that it has suppressed the white that the big shots value.

This makes the NBA league, in the upper class of this country, especially the stubborn white class.

The NBA league is regarded as an unpopular stuff, and is regarded as the most infamous ball game.

David Stern and the league have been trying to change that.

Many methods have been adopted in the middle, such as more lenient judgments for white players, and others.

However, in a sport like basketball, black athletes who are born with stronger jumping ability have greater talent.

The alliance has nothing to do about it and can only let it go.

After David Stern smiled wryly, he explained to Abel:

"I'm here for the Indiana Pacers. I'm talking to Herb Simon, Melvin Simon, some league stuff."

Melvin Simon and Herb Simon are the owners of the Indiana Pacers.

These two old men are the founders and owners of Simon Property Group.

If the wealth of the two brothers is divided, it is roughly the same as Ikana's father.

Together, they can be ranked around 380 on the list of the richest people in the United States.

"Oh." Abel nodded, "I came here to watch the F1 American Grand Prix. I bought two F1 teams and came to see their performance."

"Two F1 teams?" David Stern asked in surprise.

Abel shrugged:

"That's right. One used to be called Prost Racing, and the other used to be called Flying Swords. Now they're called MGM and Tesla."

David Stern had heard of both teams.

As the president of the NBA, he is one of the most familiar with the operation of commercial sports on the planet.

David Stern knows a lot about global business sports.

Including Formula 1, which is far more influential than the NBA, has higher ratings and higher profits.

"Two F1 teams. As expected of Mr. Smith." David Stern said with a smile:
"You are the first person in history to own two F1 teams, and you are also the first American to own an F1 team."

Abel looked at David Stern, and he said quietly:
"Actually, I could have become the man who owns two NBA teams at the same time. This is also a world record. Unfortunately, Mr. Stern, you don't allow it."

David Stern would love to give his mouth a bite.

This is which pot is not mentioned but which pot is mentioned.

The president of the NBA league laughed awkwardly: "The situation in the NBA league is different from the situation in Formula 1 racing. Please forgive me."

David Stern wasn't telling the truth.

The NBA league is actually blunt.It is a commercial league composed of 30 teams.

Thirty teams are the major shareholders of the league.The league official is the management and chairman recognized by these shareholders.

Under normal circumstances, when the interests of shareholders are not involved.

League officials have extremely high power over the NBA.

But if the interests of the vast majority of shareholders are violated, the alliance official will only become a display.

Fortunately, most of the time, these thirty shareholders have never been in the same heart, and their interests and needs are different.

Only in this way can the officials of the NBA league have the greatest power in the league.

Abel wanted to own the thing about two NBA teams.

This obviously violates the interests of the rest of the team owners, that is, the shareholders of the league.

It is absolutely impossible for these shareholders to agree to this request.

In this way, it is absolutely impossible for NBA officials to agree with Abel's idea.

Abel didn't know this at the beginning, and the advisory group later explained the situation to him clearly.

Knowing that it was really difficult, Abel canceled the idea.

This is mainly because his obsession with the NBA is not very deep.

If Yao didn't have the feelings of Yao, then Abel might not even have the slightest interest in the NBA.

This idea was rejected, and Abel didn't do it anymore.

It's just a joke about David Stern at the moment.

If it's Hudson's Bay Town Square, something he's obsessed with deeply.

With Abel's character, even if he knew that the success rate was very low, he would still go for it.

Looking at David Stern, Abel's heart suddenly moved, and he said again in a leisurely voice:

"By the way, Mr. Stern, the Rockets' performance this season is too bad. I'm so bad that I'm not in the mood to watch the team's games live. Can't the league give some help to such a weak team?"

David Stern thought you were being too direct.

Even if you want to cheat, can you be more tactful?
And in the NBA, who doesn't know that the Houston Rockets have started to completely suck after you bought them.

In many games, we don't even play a show, half of the main players rest, and all of them are put on the bench.

Outrageous fucking opened the door, outrageously home.

David Stern had to force a smile and said:
"No problem. With the current results of the Houston Rockets, there is at least a 15% chance of winning the No. [-] pick. If you can get the No. [-] pick, and then get the No. [-] pick, then the Houston Rockets have great hopes next year Rising."

"Only 15%?"

Abel said: "The probability is too low. Not to mention 50%, at least [-]%?"

David Stern is embarrassed: "For the sake of fairness in the league, the probability of 15% is actually very high."

Abel nodded as if in approval, then he smiled at David Stern and said:
"This year's talent show will also be held in New York, right?"

"Yes. At Madison Square Garden," David Stern said.

The NBA Draft is generally held in New York, either at the home court of the Nets or the Knicks.

"If I'm free then." Abel smiled: "I might go to watch it live."

David Stern immediately said: "What you said is true?"

There has never been a top rich man who went to the NBA to watch the game live.

But in baseball and football, especially baseball.

Not to mention the top rich, the great leaders of the United States often appear.

From this point, we can see the attitude of the upper class in the United States towards the NBA.

If Abel goes to the draft this year, he will become the richest viewer in NBA history and the highest status viewer.

In the beginning, this was also the reason why Abe bought the Rockets and the NBA passed almost in seconds.

At that time, the NBA hoped to see Abel in the auditorium of the basketball stadium.

Who knew that Abel had bought the Rockets for so long and never went to a game.

"Yes." Abel smiled, thought for a while and thought that he should add more chips, which might be more stable.

He added to David Stern:
"At that time, I might call Warren over. If Paulson is interested, I will pull him over."

who is warren

Who is Paulson?
David Stern did not react immediately.

Fortunately, the name Warren Buffett is too loud in the United States.

David Stern quickly thought of Buffett.

From Buffett's identity as a financial giant, Paulson of Goldman Sachs came to mind.

David Stern was even more excited at the thought that these two would go.

However, the more exciting things for David Stern are yet to come.

"Oh. That's right." Abel continued to smile: "If our respected Mr. Bush is free, I might invite him as well. I just don't know if he is interested."

When Abel hadn't finished speaking these words.

David Stern's heart was already beating fast.

(End of this chapter)