American winner takes all

Chapter 438 LFL, Start (Part )
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Memorial Stadium in the spring and to the inaugural season of the LFL!"

The voice of Madden, the commentator that the audience is very familiar with, appeared in the stadium.

FOX Sports also showed strong support for LFL and sent out the most luxurious football commentary team.

"First, let us welcome the Los Angeles Temptations..."

Following that, the Los Angeles Temptations players, wearing black jerseys, walked into the venue accompanied by a blazing fire. Although the Memorial Stadium was not full today, it still looked very spectacular.

For Memorial Stadium, the game with the highest attendance has always been the USC football game. After the Angels came, the attendance of professional games was on par with the NCAA. Although the LFL game cannot attract the audience to the same extent as the two "big brothers", it still contributes more than half of the attendance because it is the opening game.

More than 50,000 spectators is a huge success for LFL.

Ethan, who was in the box, saw Angela's image on the big screen. As this year's No. 1 pick, Angela was one of the stars promoted in the first half of the league.

Creating stars is a basic way for a sports event to attract audiences.

When a sport cannot find its star player in the first place, then the sport will obviously not be very popular. Similarly, if multiple stars can be named off the top of the head, it means that the sport is in a healthy state of rapid growth.

The specially made masks are also lighter than the helmets used in men's rugby games, and when paired with a transparent mask, the players' faces can be seen clearly.

LFL invested a lot of money to achieve this effect. In order to prevent the reflection of the plastic mask, it found a special coating and spent a lot of money to obtain the authorization for its use, which led to the current effect.

Even the masks are so carefully designed, needless to say, the jerseys on the players not only show the players' curves very well, but the many thoughtful small decorations also lock the attention of the audience in front of the TV.

As the New York Euphoria team took the stage, eagle-eyed viewers quickly spotted Stephanie transforming into a player.

"The girls in Los Angeles Temptation need to be warned that Stephanie is a wrestling champion. They better be careful."

As the match officially began, Stephanie really showed the ferocity of a wrestler. She fought very aggressively and with great impact, and she successfully defended several times.

But after just a few minutes, she was substituted, allowing the audience to keep their attention on the game.

"I have to remind you that LFL games are different from most rugby games. They are no longer divided into four quarters, but into two halves. There are no extra timeouts, but extra time. The time for players to line up is also greatly shortened. The audience must be wondering how the players will discuss tactics in this situation. Don't worry, we have equipped the players with a complete team voice system. They can communicate at any time, and this communication will be open to the public and can be listened to directly on a specific radio channel. This is a first in rugby games."

In the camera, Angela opened the outer shell of the wrist guard on her left forearm and looked at it for a few seconds, as if she was reviewing tactics.

This kind of "tactical wrist guard" is also the first of its kind in LFL.

"We have to run the ball this time. How about using O'Connor?" Angela on the field communicated with the players.

"No problem, I'll clear the way for you."

"Then I have to speed up and attract the other party's attention."

"Good luck, Angela." The team members responded.

Everyone completed the formation while communicating, and the whole process took less than 20 seconds. Angela immediately started charging with the ball. The so-called O'Connor run was more like a quarterback run with many fake moves and required teammates to complete continuous coverage.

As Angela dribbled forward, the entire stadium was in chaos. Players collided with each other, tearing and pulling each other, and the beautiful scenery was displayed for a moment.

The LFL has clear rules against pulling hair, but not clothing, and broadly defines what a cornerback can do to a receiver, all in an effort to ensure the emphasis of the game shifts from passing to running.

"Hiss... I don't know if the young audiences in front of the TV will get excited when they see this scene." Madden couldn't help but sigh.

Besides being charming, Angela's attack was also effective, and she finally made it into the game area, drawing cheers from the audience.

"She did it, completing the first touchdown in LFL history in the way of Ethan O'Connor. It was an iconic moment. Her name will be remembered forever!" Madden said excitedly.

At the same time, the door of the box where Ethan was opened again, and Stephanie McMahon, who had changed her clothes, walked in.

Stephanie finally felt relieved when she noticed the cheers and excited expressions of the audience.

She was afraid that the audience would not accept such a game, and when she looked at Ethan again, there was a bit more pride in her eyes: "The early preparations have not been in vain."

In recent years, Stephanie has heard a lot from her father about the importance of football.

This is a market that is ten times larger than wrestling, and women's sexy rugby is a blue ocean that no one has ever ventured into. The combination of the two represents an extremely high ceiling, and it is even possible to enter the international market with the help of LFL.

"By the way, what reward are you going to give me?" Stephanie nudged Ethan with her shoulder.

"How about letting you be the league commissioner?" Ethan said after thinking for a while.

Stephanie frowned slightly, obviously not interested in this position: "Take me to Europe..."

"That won't work. The LFL has just started. Don't forget that the XFL was also very popular when it first opened last year, but it died suddenly in the middle of the season. We have to prevent this from happening again. You have to stay and deal with any situation that may arise at any time." Ethan immediately shook his head.

Stephanie's throat moved, and she looked a little unhappy, but she knew that Ethan was right.

“Then when you come back, you have to make it up to me…” Stephanie stood on tiptoe and whispered something in Ethan’s ear.

This time Ethan didn't refuse and nodded to show his agreement.

During halftime, Penny began to conduct interviews on the sidelines. Now she is the broadcast director of LFL at FOX Sports, and has worked her way up from a field host to a management position.

Facing the camera, the female players were also particularly enthusiastic. They all had a strong sense of the camera and introduced themselves to the camera one by one.

Under normal circumstances, the players should discuss tactics for the second half at this time, but in the LFL it has become a time for interviews. Obviously, compared with professional games such as the NFL, the LFL is more of a performance-oriented game.

At the beginning of the second half, there were of course some tough talk, but in the end, Los Angeles Temptation successfully defeated New York Euphoria at home.

Los Angeles quarterback Angela also performed very well in this game. After the game, Penny also announced a series of business plans for the players, including the old three things: photos, jerseys, and souvenirs. Everything is similar to the beginning of the Angels cheerleading team. In addition, Penny also previewed the LFL's "Legendary Night" TV show, which is the official hit of the LFL modeled after "Monday Night Football" and is broadcast once a week.

Of course, Ethan also showed up at the stadium after the game to support the LFL and take photos with the female players.

"Keep up the good work. As long as your form doesn't decline, I will make you one of the top stars of LFL." Ethan said to Angela after taking a photo with her alone.

"I'll try my best, boss." Angela smiled slightly. At this moment, she didn't look fierce in the competition at all. Instead, she looked very well-behaved, like a real girl next door.

Those female players with potential who were signed by Ethan before they participated in the draft, of course, have to call Ethan the boss.
That night, Ethan flew directly to London, England, which was the first stop of the Angel Cheerleading Team's European tour.

In the eyes of the British, Americans are often synonymous with "rustic", and they naturally look down on American pop music. Ethan's choice of Britain as his first stop can be considered a counter-measure.

The result was as expected, with not many local media reporting on the incident.

However, Ethan believes that the "Angel Girl" will soon attract attention in another way.

But before that, he still needs to overcome some obstacles.

"Sorry, Simon, I don't want to go back on stage now." Victoria Caroline Adams couldn't help shaking her head. After getting married last year, she took her husband's surname, so now she should be called - Victoria Beckham.

While speaking, Mrs. Beckham frowned slightly, made her signature "disgusted" expression, and looked at her husband.

Her husband was sitting next to her at the moment, giving her encouragement with his eyes.

As for the couple opposite, it is naturally Ethan and Angel Girls’ current manager Simon Fuller.

Simon Fuller shrugged at Ethan, as if to say: See, what did I say? This is not going to work.

Ethan naturally wanted to reunite the Spice Girls and the Angels to gain attention, and Simon Fuller happened to be the Spice Girls' manager, core planner and agent, and it was he who created the Spice Girls' popularity.

But even Simon Fuller had to work very hard to get Victoria out, and her husband also came along.

"Regarding the performance invitation, I think we have made it very clear," Beckham reiterated.

"Okay." Simon Fuller was ready to accept the decision.

"Wait a minute." Ethan suddenly spoke and then looked at Beckham.

“When did you enter the professional competition scene?”

As a famous football star, Beckham was obviously stunned for a moment, but he still responded honestly: "I played for Manchester United's first team in 92."

Beckham won the treble with the team last year and is now the Champions League champion. He is also the core of the team, and his relationship with Victoria is now attracting much attention.

However, his football career has encountered some obstacles this year, and his relationship with his mentor has gradually cooled. The outside world is speculating when he will leave Manchester United.

"I didn't officially get involved in football until 1994." Ethan picked up the teacup.

"Never played basketball before? Then you are a true genius." Beckham laughed stiffly. As an athlete himself, he knew how terrifying this was.

"Where are you planning to go in the future? Inter Milan? Real Madrid?" Ethan asked again.

Beckham shook his head, indicating that such matters were not something he could decide.

"That's right. As players, we don't actually have many choices. And I think it's a waste for you to just be a player. You obviously have such good conditions." Ethan looked at the couple.

Their wedding last year caused a sensation across the UK.

Victoria was originally the least eye-catching among the Spice Girls, but now the situation has completely reversed. Beckham himself has considerable commercial value because of his outstanding appearance, so the two of them are a strong combination.

"Victoria, you don't plan to perform on stage. You probably want to do other things, right? For example, launching your own fashion brand? By chance, I know a giant in the clothing industry. He is the boss of Victoria's Secret and has a complete supply chain and marketing capabilities. I wonder if you are interested?"

"This is a start. Beckham can also create his own business empire after retiring. I think Simon would agree with this, right?" Ethan looked at Simon again.

He mentioned a huge plan that was closely related to the four people present. In fact, Beckham did try this after retiring, and all this was also inseparable from the help of Simon, who was the common agent of the couple and the operator behind the couple.

This time, it was Victoria and the Beckhams' turn to be hesitant.

Victoria announced her retirement from the pop music industry at the beginning of the year, and Beckham fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson. Both the couple were at a critical moment of transformation and were somewhat confused.

Ethan's olive branch at this moment was like a timely help.

"Ethan, I'm actually curious about how you do all this, such as... cheerleading?" Beckham asked cautiously, but was still glared at by his wife.

Ethan smiled slightly: "I will tell you about this when I have the chance. Another thing I can be sure of is that football is far from being fully developed in America. In the future, you may be able to own a major league club like me."

“That may have to wait a few years.” Beckham smiled awkwardly, and it was obvious that he was really tempted.

As for Victoria, although she didn't say much, she asked key questions about establishing a personal brand.

It can be said that Ethan directly impressed the couple with different conditions.

"In exchange, I hope you angel girls can get through this difficult time." Ethan made his request.

"I can try to get the hot girls together again," Victoria said after thinking for a moment.

"Very good, I'm waiting for your good news."

With Victoria's help and Ethan's financial support, the remaining members soon couldn't resist and nodded in agreement.

Within a week, the news of the joint efforts of "Spice Girls x Angel Girls" was announced to the outside world, and the two groups would temporarily combine and work together in the next few months.

As for Ethan, he met with many models under Sarah Douglas during this week. With the example of Monica Bellucci, Ethan dealt with these models one by one.

It wasn't surprising that the news leaked out, but considering the overall situation had been decided, Ethan didn't mind it at all.

Not long after, Sarah Douglas actually sent a middleman to seek peace, but Ethan never expected this middleman.

"In fact, we are all agents. Even if we don't know each other, we have met each other," said Simon Fuller.

Then he brought the news that Sarah had announced her surrender and was willing to take the money and leave.

Ethan even went a step further and hoped to work further with Simon Fuller…

(End of this chapter)