Hong Kong Entertainment: Kung Fu Superstar 1981

Chapter 294 League Cooperation

Twenty minutes later, in a coffee shop not far from the venue.

Zhang Yang and Lewis were sitting on one side, while Robert, the boss of IBF, was sitting opposite, accompanied by the owner of the venue. After they each took a sip of coffee and sat firmly, Robert took the initiative to speak.

"Mr. Zhang, you can expand the league on Hong Kong Island. I believe you are also a qualified businessman, so we don't have to go around in circles. To be honest, I am very interested in the prospects of your league. I am here this time. The United States should also hope to hold the league here, right? Maybe I can help you."

"There is no need to use the word help, Mr. Robert. A good business will benefit both parties, right? So if you have any cooperation plans, why not tell me directly." Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

"You are indeed a good businessman." Robert smiled, then paused before continuing, "My plan is very simple. I can invest more than 60% of this American mixed martial arts league, and I will let our IBF professional The event operations team will allocate manpower to build venues in various places and contact long-term broadcasters."

"Mr. Zhang, these are the most critical and difficult problems for you to solve. I believe I have shown enough sincerity. As for you, what you need to be responsible for is to provide early players and technical support. If you are willing to continue If you stay in the United States for long-term development, you can also serve as the CEO of the league..."

"A little interruption."

Zhang Yang raised his hand to stop Robert from talking.

He narrowed his eyes and said: "I think you just ignored the two most important issues, the league's shareholding, and who is the real manager responsible for all this. Without discussing these two issues clearly, it will be difficult for us to continue talking. .”

Seeing that Zhang Yang directly exposed the most acute problem with just one sentence, Robert couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. In the business world, there are many people who like to talk in circles, but obviously Zhang Yang in front of him is not one of them.

"Since you want to discuss this first... well, to be honest, because in our new cooperative league, most of the personnel and relationships need to rely on the influence of our IBF, and the subsequent long-term operations cannot do without us. Help, so I hope to occupy 60% of the new league."

"As for the issue of actual managers, I have already said that I am happy to hire you to serve as the chief operating officer and executive president of the new league, but after all, we IBF are the largest equity parties, so when problems arise, I think we should It also has decision-making power, and a board of directors is a good way to solve problems, right?”

Robert said it easily, but Zhang Yang knew it very clearly. He asked for 60% of the shares and already had absolute say in the board of directors. What would happen even if he became the CEO?

As long as the board of directors model is adopted, in the face of absolute share suppression, if Robert wants to have his own way, Zhang Yang can't stop him at all, and if the lifeline of his league is in the hands of others, Zhang Yang will never allow it!

"Mr. Robert, to be honest, I have no interest in your proposal."

"Before you provide a new plan, I can tell you my bottom line. First of all, I must maintain at least 51% of the absolute controlling rights in terms of shares. Secondly, I will firmly hold the core power of the league in my hands."

"Don't think I'm greedy or overbearing. If you don't want to, you can create your own IBF mixed martial arts league, but not in my name. I need to tell you clearly that mixed martial arts is the product of my hard work. I will just keep it in my hands and I will never allow it to deviate from my original intention.”

"If you can accept this condition, it is possible for us to continue talking."

After speaking, Zhang Yang took a sip of coffee and quietly waited for Robert's reply and answer.

Robert frowned and his expression looked very tangled. He couldn't help but raise his head and glance at Zhang Yang, and then couldn't help but said: "Mr. Zhang, I can understand your persistence, but don't forget, this is America. If you don't look for As a partner, many things become difficult.”

"Who says I don't have a partner?"

Zhang Yang smiled, then raised his hand and patted Lewis on the shoulder next to him.

"A member of the American Kickboxing Association Hall of Fame and the founder of kickboxing is sitting here. I believe Mr. Lewis will be happy to help me contact partners. As for the broadcaster, I have a good cooperation with CBS. This is already one of the top five radio stations in the United States. , and I am also cooperating with Warner, you should have heard that they will release my movie."

In order to dispel Robert's doubts, Zhang Yang quickly listed several examples. But in fact, Zhang Yang knew very well that among these partners, except for Lewis, who was relatively reliable, both CBS Group and Warner Group were just a cover for Zhang Yang's bluff.

Indeed, these two companies do have the possibility of subsequent cooperation with Zhang Yang, but this kind of cooperation is just like the conditions Robert gave Zhang Yang today. It will definitely be very harsh and require a little bit of modification.

Even on Warner's side, there is a risk of collapse at any time.

But so what?

It is impossible for Robert to know the details inside. Zhang Yang just needs to let him understand that he is not the only one who can do it. After proving his other options, the negotiation status of both parties will quietly change.

Because IBF is not unique, but Zhang Yang and his league are.

In this way, a long silence continued in the coffee shop.

Robert pondered, Zhang Yang had no intention of urging him.

It took nearly twenty minutes for Robert to come back to his senses from his thoughts and speak slowly.

"I may be able to accept your conditions, but what can IBF get?"

"With 30% of the equity, I will become the second shareholder of the league after me. The operation of the league in the United States will be jointly operated and handled by you and Lewis's Kickboxing Association. In return, you can choose sponsors and broadcasters. People from your two families will be in charge, and the league can also conduct cross-border transportation with IBF."

"Cross-border transport?"

Robert was startled. Obviously, this was a new word that he had never heard before.

Zhang Yang glanced at him and said with a smile: "If the audience likes it and the players agree, I can allow the players in the league to participate in IBF related events, or you can also let the IBF players join the league, and this is not us yet. The limit of what can be done.”

"I heard that entertainment-based professional wrestling is not very popular in the United States? As long as we become bigger, we may be able to integrate them into our banner at any time. Everything will become interesting, right?"

Listening to Zhang Yang's description of the future scene, Robert let out a long sigh of relief.

"Mr. Zhang, once again, I have confirmed that you are indeed an excellent businessman. I will seriously consider the proposal you mentioned. Give me some time and I will contact you again."

After Robert finished speaking, he stood up and left the cafe.

Zhang Yang looked at his back, smiled and shook his head.

Whether he was moved by his own vision or because he had no choice, at least Zhang Yang believed that what Robert said in the end was not a lie. He would consider it carefully and give Zhang Yang a satisfactory answer.

(End of this chapter)