When pride still matters

Chapter 388 The Price of Growth

The All-Star Weekend in New Orleans is a show, a show for the NBA to show its humanistic care. Although they cannot bring any substantial help to the local area, as long as they send the message that "the NBA stands with New Orleans" to the outside world, it will enough.

Yu Fei heard that Jordan had also come to New Orleans and said some strange things about himself.

However, Yu Fei didn't care what Jordan said, because it was useless. When a person no longer plays, his words have no weight, unless he is willing to lower himself like Magic and add the attributes of a media person to himself.

But just look at what Jordan did after retiring, and you know he wouldn't do that.

His class has jumped. He is now a businessman and a boss, and everything he does must be considered for his own business.

Therefore, when such a person makes some strange remarks about the recent civil unrest in the SuperSonics, people will be sensitive to the grudge between him and Yu Fei.

Since there is grudge, how convincing is this statement?
After Yu Fei arrived in New Orleans, in addition to promoting his own brand on behalf of Reebok, he also had to meet Clay Bennett.

Every year, the NBA holds about four or five top-level summits.

The first time is during the All-Star Weekend, the league will hold a high-level summit at the All-Star Game venue, followed by the owners’ summit in April, the summary meeting in June - of course, you can also say it is a spoils-sharing meeting - and End of year annual meeting.

What is its content? Simply put, citizens have had enough of being threatened one after another by major league franchises, and taxpayer dollars should be spent in more important ways. However, they did not block the road.

Mayor Nick Nichols passed a Stadium Financing Opinion Act some time ago.

Yu Fei nodded, he had heard about it, but this bill sounded bluffing, but it actually gave the SuperSonics a chance.

"Fry, do you know anything about the new bill?"

It's just that they don't want to hear teams blaming the arena for poor management anymore. Therefore, if a team can prove that it can bring competitive effects to the local area, and if they have a better arena, they can create more revenue, the city government will consider financing the plan to build a new arena.

Yu Fei looks like a shareholder of the club, and he cares more about whether the Sonics are making money than many people around Bennett.

During this period, if there are any major issues that require the bosses to give their opinions, impromptu meetings will be held.

The bill was approved by 77% of the citizens, so the city government passed the bill.

There's no denying that the Sonics are making money.

Yu Fei has brought amazing profits, activated a stagnant market, and rekindled hope among Seattle basketball fans, but what about getting the city government to approve a financing plan to build a new arena for the Sonics? The polls are still not showing any signs of relief.

Bennett can wait, but he doesn't know if the league is willing to wait.

The show in New Orleans this time is not only the work of the league, the companies represented by the bosses also want to show their faces, so the bosses of each team have come to the Jazz City.

As long as they prove they can make money, this bill won't be a problem.

Bennett asked straight to the point.

"I know, but I also know that this is not a problem." Yu Fei said, "We can achieve profitability this year."

Yu Fei opened the file and took a look, only to realize that this was the latest financing plan.

When Bennett decided to keep the Sonics, he discovered how difficult it was.

This is tantamount to directly killing the Sonics' hope of passing a new financing plan within the year. They will need to spend a year or two to prove that they can make money.

"Take a look at this." Bennett took out a document. "I will make this document public at the meeting later."

Moreover, this is a large amount of money that Bennett never thought of before acquiring the Sonics.

Bennett plans to build a luxury arena in the bustling downtown area that will cost $4 million. He needs $3 million in financing from the city government, and the remaining $1 million will be raised by the Sonics themselves.

"Yes, very good." Yu Fei said after reading it, "I have some good news here."

Bennett believed that the good news must be related to him: "I think you will be willing to share this news with me."

"Of course, this is closely related to the team." Yu Fei said with a smile, "I asked Warren some time ago if he was willing to invest in our new arena, and he gave me the answer a few days ago."

Bennett naturally knew that the Warren Yu Fei mentioned was referring to Buffett.

"What did he say?" Bennett asked.

Yu Fei said: "He is willing to invest 20% of the capital."

Bennett felt like his body was heating up, 20% of the funds, which is 8000 million US dollars. It's not a huge amount for Buffett, but it's a move that shows Buffett is bullish on the Sonics' future in Seattle.

With Buffett taking the initiative, is he still worried that he can't find anyone to invest?
The crazy thought that he might be able to raise the money without city financing lasted only a few seconds.

Bennett knew he needed city financing.

It has to be the city government.

This is the kind of political correctness that belongs to NBA baby physique.

The city must provide financing to show that Seattle supports the Sonics. Because some NBA teams are in big cities and some are in small cities, not every team has such good conditions as the SuperSonics, and it is impossible for them to find large amounts of financing funds. So, Seattle must support the Sonics -- just like all major NBA cities must support their NBA teams --

Otherwise, even if there is a new arena, it will still not be in line with the league's wishes. But no matter what, with the help of a figure like Buffett, great things can be expected.

Bennett found that Da Fei looked more and more friendly.

He can win, he is responsible, his business value is extremely high, and he can even attract investment.
"By the way, Clay." Yu Fei said like Bennett's ally, not his player, "You know, my mother is a businessman, and she is also interested in investing in new arenas, if it meets the regulations. , she is willing to provide 5% investment.”

As a result, the US$1 million that Bennett should have raised has actually been collected?

Some people say that Da Fei is not easy to deal with? Unruly? No respect for the boss?

Does it matter?

If this person can bring last season's bottom team to the top four in the Western Conference, can make the team that lost money last season become profitable halfway through the season, and can also attract an investment of 100 million US dollars from the boss, even if he wants to As the God of the team, Bennett would not say a word "no".

Bennett now believes the league is willing to give itself a few years to do this.

Things are getting better, they just need time.

"Fry, you play well from now on."

Bennett said before leaving.

"What about you, sitting at home counting money?"

Yu Fei joked.

"Of course, shut up those bastards!" Bennett picked up the financing plan, as if there was wind at his feet, "I remembered what your slogan was."

The lifelong Oklahoman strode with a fighting spirit and yelled, "Save our Sonics!"

This is an abstract image that words cannot describe.

Yu Fei still liked the way Bennett looked loyal to his hometown when he was negotiating with him.

However, this is good, at least Yu Fei can be sure that the biggest uncertainty within the team has disappeared.

Bennett is really on his side now. As for why, that's not important. It may be because he sees Seattle's development potential, it may be because he hopes to continue making money for him, or there may be other reasons, which are not all important.

He made the best choice for Fei, and that was enough.

The morning after communicating with Bennett, Yu Fei, as the face of the alliance, participated in the painting work of the disaster area in New Orleans, and pretended to preside over the meeting to rebuild New Orleans.

The highlight of the day was the Rookie Challenge.

The SuperSonics have Durant on the rookie team and Roy on the second-year team.

This experience was so novel that Yu Fei didn't know who to support.

Before the game started, Durant ran to the sidelines like an apprentice and asked Yu Fei what he needed to pay attention to.

"Today is not a good time for KD to play." Yu Fei said, "I hope you don't pass the ball."

Durant asked: "Is the pass bad?"

"The only connection you have with this group of people is tonight, and the only thing you have to do tonight is to show off and let everyone see what you can do."

The duel between the first and second grade gave Durant a familiar feeling.

This low-talent level confrontation mode brought him back to his college days, and he showed his unique talent. However, the advantage of the second grade is too great.

Even if someone with All-Star ability like Roy doesn't play much, the performance of others is enough to beat the first graders to nowhere.

Then, Daniel Gibson, the second-year guard from the Cavaliers, had a great touch and made every shot. All 33 points in the game came from outside shots.

He made James stand up and cheer several times, which was eye-catching.

In the end, the second-year player defeated the first-year player and Gibson was elected the MVP of the rookie game.

James, who was at the scene, was also interviewed, and his words were a bit harsh for someone: "I have been telling Daniel to take bold action, and he did it. This is how he should behave. I have always wanted to protect him under my "I'm very touched to see him doing so well and I'm so proud of him."

"When I retire, I will definitely remember what happened tonight."

Gibson delivered his acceptance speech.

"Kevin played well tonight, but it's a pity that they lost tonight." Yu Fei said in an interview, "This is the price of growth."

"When LeBron talked about the difference between him and you this morning, he said that he will not be as successful as you. He has his own way of success. What do you think?"

“It’s so refreshing to hear someone talk about success who doesn’t know what it is.”

(End of this chapter)