Rebirth of wealth and freedom starts from the World Cup

As the referee's whistle sounded, the lights in the Oracle Arena suddenly focused on the center, announcing that the much-anticipated seventh game of the NBA Finals had officially begun.

Zhao Zixuan, Li Yanning, Yuan Shiwei, Zhang Lei and TikTok CEO Mao Yourong sat in the prime seats in the first row. Their hearts beat to the rhythm of the game and they were fully focused on this basketball feast.

At the beginning of the game, players from both teams quickly got into the game, the offense and defense transitions were compact and intense, and every score was accompanied by thunderous applause and cheers from the audience.

As the game progressed, the scores rose alternately, and every exciting attack and defense brought the atmosphere to a climax.

Zhao Zixuan and Mao Yourong would occasionally take out their mobile phones to capture and share the exciting moments of the game through short video apps, and feel the shock of this peak showdown with fans around the world.

The videos they posted quickly caused a sensation on the platform, and countless netizens felt the tension and passion of the scene through their perspective.

During the halftime break, Zhao Zixuan and his friends stood up and went to the VIP lounge on the sidelines to take a short break. Many sports celebrities and media people gathered here, and everyone exchanged their views on the game in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Zhao Zixuan and Mao Yourong also took this opportunity to have a brief conversation with several NBA officials to discuss the possibility of in-depth cooperation between the NBA and short video apps such as Tianlai APP and TikTok in the future. Both sides are full of expectations for the future prospects of cooperation.

In a corner of the VIP lounge, Zhao Zixuan and TikTok CEO Mao Yourong found NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. This was a rare opportunity for face-to-face communication.

Adam Silver welcomed Zhao Zixuan and Mao Yourong, and the conversation between the two sides took place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Zhao Zixuan directly proposed the intention of cooperation: "Mr. Adam, we are very optimistic about the prospects of cooperation between the NBA and short video platforms such as TikTok and Tianlai APP. Basketball is a global sport, and short videos are one of the most popular media today. We believe that through in-depth cooperation, we can convey the charm of basketball to more young people and open up new markets for the NBA."

Adam Silver agreed: "Your ideas coincide with our strategic goals. The NBA has always been committed to attracting young audiences through innovative ways, and TikTok and Tianlai APP are undoubtedly powerful tools to achieve this goal. We are very happy to explore various possibilities, such as exclusive content cooperation, live broadcasts of events, interactive activities, etc., to enhance fan participation and experience."

Mao Yourong added: "We can also jointly develop some customized functions, such as real-time game predictions, player challenges, virtual goods trading, etc. These are effective means to enhance user stickiness and improve platform activity. We are willing to invest resources and work with the NBA to create an online community of basketball culture."

Adam Silver's eyes lit up after hearing this: "This sounds very attractive. We can set up a special group to coordinate and promote the cooperation projects between the two sides. I believe that as long as both sides work together, we will be able to create a new era of basketball entertainment."

The dialogue between the two sides was constructive and forward-looking, and the proposals of Zhao Zixuan and Mao Yourong received a positive response from Adam Silver.

They agreed to launch a cooperation plan immediately after the meeting, set up a working group and refine the cooperation plan, so that basketball fans around the world can enjoy a more colorful basketball experience in the near future.

After discussing business matters, Zhao Zixuan hesitated again and again, but finally couldn't help but ask Adam Silver a question that had been in his mind for a long time.

"Mr. Adam."

Zhao Zixuan's voice was deep and powerful. "This year's NBA Finals was full of controversy and speculation. Some people said it was a rigged game, and some even claimed that you were behind the Game 7. Some people said it was the darkest 'black whistle' in history. What is the truth?"

Adam Silver's face became solemn when he heard this, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

He responded calmly: "Mr. Zhao, I completely understand the doubts you and the fans have. But I want to make it clear to you that every NBA game, no matter how crucial, is conducted under strict rules and supervision. Every decision made by the referee is based on the rules of the game. We will review every game to ensure fairness. The so-called 'black whistle' is pure nonsense and is not supported by any substantial evidence."

Adam Silver's voice was filled with unquestionable authority as he continued, "The NBA league operates according to a strict system. No one, including myself, can unilaterally decide the outcome of a game. The outcome of the game ultimately depends on the performance and efforts of the players on the court. We respect every minute and every second of the game because it embodies the sweat and dreams of the athletes."

"We feel the same about the outside world's doubts..." He spoke slowly with deep sincerity, "As the leader of the league, we have the responsibility to maintain the fairness and sportsmanship of the game. We encourage constructive criticism, but we will resolutely refute those unfounded accusations. We are committed to rebuilding and strengthening public trust through transparent communication and effective measures."

Adam Silver's words were powerful and expressed his position and determination.

Zhao Zixuan listened to Xiao Hua's explanation and gained a deeper understanding of the NBA leader.

He realized that from Adam Silver's perspective, facing external doubts, it is his unshirkable responsibility to maintain the fairness and image of the league.

As the conversation continued, Zhao Zixuan raised another pointed question: "I heard that the NBA is considering cooperating with gambling companies. Will this arouse greater doubts from fans?"

Adam Silver heard this and a confident smile appeared on his face.

“The issue of working with gaming companies is indeed something the NBA is exploring. We recognize that legal sports betting has become an integral part of the sports economy around the world. By working with qualified gaming companies, we aim to bring them into a regulatory framework to protect the rights of fans and prevent illegal gambling from eroding the integrity of the game.”

"Of course, we fully understand the fans' concerns."

Adam Silver pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and continued, "Any cooperation will strictly abide by laws, regulations and ethical standards. We are committed to establishing high standards of industry norms with our partners to ensure that all operations are transparent and legal, while strengthening the education of players and employees to enhance their awareness of gambling risks and prevent any misconduct."

“We firmly believe that through reasonable supervision and transparent cooperation, we can not only effectively curb the negative impact of illegal gambling, but also bring a stable source of income to the league and support the continued development and popularity of basketball. Of course, we will pay close attention to the feedback from all walks of life to ensure that the cooperation model is widely recognized and supported.”

Zhao Zixuan listened quietly, thoughts about the future direction of the NBA surging in his mind.

He suddenly realized that as the world's leading sports league, the NBA's decisions not only affect the fairness of the game, but also the future of the entire sports industry.

Adam Silver's answer demonstrates the NBA's foresight and responsibility in facing the challenges of the new era.

Zhao Zixuan realized that the progress of any industry requires finding a balance in change. It is necessary to embrace change while adhering to core values, and to inject continuous vitality into the prosperity of sports through innovation and cooperation.

At this moment, Zhao Zixuan was comparing in his mind the different styles and leadership approaches of Adam Silver and former NBA Commissioner David Stern.

David Stern, one of the most influential presidents in NBA history, with his foresight and determination, has pushed the NBA from a relatively small sports league to a global super brand.

During his tenure, the NBA achieved international expansion, attracting many international stars to join, and also introduced a number of reforms to enhance the viewing experience of the game and the overall competitiveness of the league.

In contrast, Adam Silver faced different challenges and environment after taking over as commissioner.

Silver has shown an open and innovative attitude in dealing with emerging issues such as cooperation with social media and legalization of gambling. He seems to pay more attention to connecting with the younger generation, using the power of digital media to attract a new generation of fans, and is constantly exploring new business models and cooperation opportunities to adapt to the rapidly changing sports entertainment market.

Zhao Zixuan realized that each NBA president has his or her own unique leadership style and mission of the times.

During David Stern's tenure, the NBA transformed from a domestic league to a global brand. His leadership and strategic vision laid a solid foundation for the league's internationalization.

He promoted a series of reforms that not only improved the viewing experience of the game, but also successfully attracted audiences around the world, making the NBA one of the most popular sports leagues in the world.

Adam Silver, building on the foundation laid by Stern, further pushed the NBA into the digital age.

He was keenly aware of the impact of technological change on the sports industry and actively embraced social media, digital media and emerging technologies, enabling the NBA to stay closely connected with the younger generation while also opening up new business opportunities.

Adam Silver's leadership style is more open and inclusive. He encourages innovation and courage to try, leading the NBA to explore new areas such as cooperation with gambling companies, aiming to bring additional revenue to the league.

Although the two NBA commissioners have different leadership styles and challenges, their common goals are always the same - to expand the NBA's influence around the world and enhance its brand image while maintaining the fairness of the game and the rights of athletes.

Whether it is David Stern’s globalization strategy or Adam Silver’s digital transformation, they are all aimed at achieving the long-term development and sustained prosperity of the NBA.

"Mr. Zhao, I heard that someone placed a $2 million order at MGM, betting on the Cavaliers to come back and win the championship. That person is you, right?"

Adam Silver's question was so sudden that Zhao Zixuan almost couldn't react.

Zhao Zixuan's brows slightly furrowed. He was surprised and dissatisfied with the information leakage of such a high-value bet. In the high-risk gambling industry, protecting customer privacy is usually regarded as an extremely important part, especially for bets involving huge amounts of money, confidentiality is even more important.

The order he placed with MGM should have been a confidential matter and it was impossible for ordinary people to get wind of it.

It is outrageous that Mao Yourong knew about this, but it may also be that she has extensive connections in the United States and has access to certain channels of information that ordinary people cannot control.

But Adam Silver also knew about this, which made Zhao Zixuan a little unhappy.

Is it possible that there is no confidentiality mechanism when placing orders at a big bookmaker like MGM?
If everyone knows what they are betting on, then what is the point of playing?
Zhao Zixuan met Adam Silver's intriguing eyes and responded calmly:

"Mr. Adam, I understand your curiosity about this topic, but I want to emphasize that personal betting behavior is private information. Generally speaking, I don't want it to become a topic of public discussion. I believe that whether it is MGM or other gambling institutions, they should maintain the highest confidentiality standards for customers' betting details."

After hearing this, Adam Silver immediately realized that his question might have touched a sensitive area. As the commissioner of the NBA, he is well aware of the importance of maintaining customer privacy, especially in matters related to gambling.

He quickly explained: "Mr. Zhao, please allow me to apologize for this. My original intention was not to invade your privacy, but news about large bets in the industry often attracts widespread attention, and sometimes this information is circulated through informal channels. I fully understand and respect your emphasis on privacy. The NBA and I will ensure that the privacy security of all participants in the cooperation related to gambling is protected."

Zhao Zixuan nodded and accepted the explanation, but he also secretly remembered this point. In the future, when making similar bets, he will pay more attention to choosing institutions with a good confidentiality record.

The experience reminded him that when handling sensitive information, even seemingly trustworthy channels can still be at risk of leakage.

At this time, Mao Yourong, who had been listening silently, couldn't help but interrupt and said, "Mr. Adam's question is also my question. I am also curious, why are you so bold to bet 2 million US dollars on the Cavaliers to win the championship?"

She had asked the same question before, but unfortunately Zhao Zixuan had evaded the question. Now she asked it again, hoping to get a satisfactory answer.

Facing Mao Yourong's questioning, Zhao Zixuan smiled mysteriously. He looked at her, the depth and charm in his eyes were heart-stirring, as if there was a silent understanding between them.

He paused for a moment before saying, "Investment, whether it's the stock market, real estate or sports betting, is essentially based on the analysis of information and predictions of the future. Before making such a decision, I conducted a lot of research and data analysis, including team performance, player status, injuries, opponent weaknesses, and even psychological factors and home field advantage."

"of course."

Zhao Zixuan continued: "No analysis can guarantee 100% accuracy. There are too many variables in sports games. However, when I combined all the information and found that the Cavaliers had advantages that were underestimated by the market in certain key aspects, I thought it was an opportunity worth betting on. Moreover, high bets are often accompanied by high returns. As long as the winning rate is slightly higher than public expectations, huge profits can be generated."

"also."

Zhao Zixuan looked at Mao Yourong deeply and added: "Whether in sports or in business, sometimes taking risks is necessary. But this does not mean acting blindly. There are detailed calculations and evaluations behind every decision. In this case, I weighed the risks and rewards and thought it was an acceptable bet."

Mao Yourong glanced at him sideways, thinking that this man was not telling the truth, but she also knew that she would not get anything out of him by asking directly.

So, she snorted heavily and said, "A return of 20 billion US dollars, you really dare to think about it!"

Zhao Zixuan smiled and said nothing.

Adam Silver appreciated Zhao Zixuan's insights. He said: "Mr. Zhao, your decision-making process and analytical ability are impressive. Whether in sports or business, it is a rare quality to dare to take risks and make well-thought-out decisions. Your investment is not only a trust in the Cavaliers, but also a unique interpretation of the NBA brand and the results of the game. Regardless of the outcome, this spirit deserves respect."

Zhao Zixuan smiled at Adam Silver's comment. He knew that in the business and sports circles, such a big bet would indeed arouse widespread discussion and attention.

He said: "Mr. Adam, thank you for your understanding and support. NBA games are full of charm. I believe that everyone who loves basketball can find their passion and dream in it. My bet is also an expression of this passion."

Although Mao Yourong found it difficult to understand Zhao Zixuan's gamble, she suddenly realized that perhaps it was this extraordinary courage and keen insight into the market that made a young successful investor like Zhao Zixuan.

She no longer questioned it, but was just curious about why Zhao Zixuan seemed to make a lot of profit every time he made a super double investment. How did he do it?

To be honest, this man hides too many unknown secrets.

She suddenly had an overwhelming desire to uncover his secrets. (End of this chapter)