When Su Xi turned on the TV, the draft lottery had ended. But CBS is still interviewing people involved in the draft.
Suhi watched an angry Grizzlies general manager Jerry West on television and said: "This selection system is just ridiculous."
For grizzly bears, that's certainly the case. In fact, they only have a 6.4% probability of getting the No. 1 pick this year. Based on this probability, they can only get the sixth pick at most. However, they were lucky enough to get the second pick in the end. However, when they got the second pick, this pick was transferred to the Detroit Pistons...the Detroit Pistons who are currently playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.
This goes back to 1997, when the Pistons and the Grizzlies completed a deal. The Pistons traded Otis Thorpe, the All-Star at the time, for a protected first-round pick in 2003. This protected restriction is very special: First pick protection. In other words, unless the Grizzlies win the No. 1 pick, any other picks they get will be transferred to the Pistons.
The Pistons got the second pick in the draft for no reason, which makes people look forward to their next season.
In addition, Cleveland narrowly missed the first pick.
The Denver Nuggets only received the third pick.
The Raptors received the fourth pick, and the fifth pick went to the Miami Heat. And so on: Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, SuperSonics, Grizzlies (from Rockets), SuperSonics (from Bucks), Magic, Celtics ….
"Honestly, when I got the fifth pick, my first thought was: Yes, I won't be traded." Heat player Caron Butler said with a smile on his face during an interview on TV .
Then Susie saw the interview with Joe Dumars. He was thanking God that he was the luckiest person in the lottery.
In contrast, Jerry West was so angry that he vomited blood. He is making drastic changes to the Grizzlies, and he hopes to create a super youth army in Memphis. If they didn't have that 1997 deal, their operation would be very successful this year. Because they have two lottery picks.
"At that time, we were really like a baby bird that had just learned to fly, an expansion team. We were a young team that desperately wanted veterans with talent and leadership skills. And the opportunity was there. That's where we can trade a guy like that. Our research and our bets tell us that Otis Thorpe can help our basketball team both on and off the court." The TV station interviewed the Grizzlies President Jackson, this is how he explained it.
Su Xi found it interesting. He liked hearing such stories.
Then, he felt a little embarrassed.
Because the topic changed, the commentator began to discuss: "The Grizzlies' most promising player this year is Suhi the Lamb. Jerry West has expressed Suhi's appreciation, and they currently lack a strong point guard. Drafting Suzy the Lamb with the 13th pick is a position worth taking, he is the MOP after all.”
"And West has a soft spot for the 13th pick."
So said a senior analyst on TV.
Su Xi felt like he was eating something on his own head. He didn't even know where Memphis was or what players the Grizzlies had.
One second he was lamenting that the Grizzlies were really unlucky, and the next second they were confident that he might be drafted by the Grizzlies.
The draft is really a game full of suspense.
At this time, Su Xi received a call.
After three and a half hours of intense negotiations by Alan Goodwin, he finally brought accurate news to Susie.
"Jack, I tried my best."
"However, the results are satisfactory."
Aaron Goodwin started like this, and then he said: "Nike is willing to offer you a five-year contract of $45 million, with an average of $9 million per year. This is already the highest contract in the history of the NBA. Second only to the upcoming signing LeBron James contract."
"Although Adidas and Reebok both have strong intentions to sign, I feel that even if they can spend a little more money, their operation and promotion are not as good as Nike. Nike is too experienced in the field of basketball shoes. They successfully promoted Michael Jordan. That's why I recommend you work with them."
"It's just that their contract terms also include some mandatory requirements for the Best Rookie Team, Rookie of the Week, All-Star, and Player of the Week."
Aaron Goodwin said honestly to Su Xi: "I really can't help you get more. This is beyond the bounds of my imagination. I originally thought you could only get an average contract of six to seven million US dollars at most. .”
Su Xi nodded: "Okay, thank you for your work. If I sign a contract with them, I will pay you a commission as soon as possible, and I will also give you a little extra reward. Although it does not reach the average of 10 million annual salary.”
Aaron Goodwin over there was very happy and said, "Jack, are you willing to sign with them?"
"No, I want to talk to them again." Su Xi said, "You can give them my phone number. For such an important cooperation, we also need a formal meeting."
Arrangements were quickly made by Aaron Goodwin. He walked into the conference room and handed the phone to Phil Knight.
Phil Knight said on the phone: "Hello, Jack. I'm Phil Knight. I admire your skills and wisdom very much, and your training attitude even more admires me. This is something I am willing to cooperate with you." important reason."
"Thank you very much for giving me this unprecedented contract. I want to know, what height do you think I will reach in the NBA?" Su Xi asked straightforwardly.
Phil Knight was silent for a while on the other end of the phone. He put the phone on the table and clicked on the speakerphone: "This is a very difficult question. I want my best assistant Vaccaro to answer your question. . He once single-handedly discovered Michael Jordan, and he has an innate talent for judging the potential of players."
Phil Knight told Vaccaro Suhi's questions.
Vaccaro and everyone else did not expect Su Xi to ask this question.
However, Vaccaro thought about it, and he said seriously: "Jack, I am Vaccaro. I am the person in charge of a comprehensive evaluation of you in this business cooperation. My answer is that you will become an NBA player." Star players, because you have amazing market appeal and popularity, are like Beckham in football. Even if he is not the most powerful football king, he is a star with a very high market value."
"OK, I probably know what you want from me."
Su Xi calmed down and continued, "I have a proposal."
"I decided to take a gamble with you with 5 million U.S. dollars. I can sign a 5-year contract with you for 40 million U.S. dollars."
As soon as Su Xi said these words, Alan Goodwin looked nervous. He even wanted to hang up the phone directly: Hey, hey, hey, you just throw away the 5 million I finally negotiated? Then just give it to me! According to the original market price, you should also give me 5 million.
At this time, Su Xi's voice continued to come through the receiver.
"I need a bigger reward. During this contract, if I become an All-NBA player, I need an additional $10 million. If I win the Best Defensive Player, I need an additional $10 million. If I become NBA regular season MVP, I need to add another 20 million US dollars. If I win the NBA Finals MVP, you have to give me another 20 million US dollars. If I win the Finals MVP or the regular season MVP, you still need to give me another 2,000 US dollars. Thousands of dollars.”
After Su Xi said these words, the scene was silent.
They never expected that Su Xi would give up 5 million and then propose such a shocking treaty.
He actually felt that he could be selected for the All-NBA Team, the Best Defensive Player, the regular season MVP, the Finals MVP, and even the regular season MVP and Finals MVP.
Although the amount he mentioned was huge.
However, as long as he achieves any of them, he will be a first-line superstar. And if you achieve two of them, you are a superstar. If you achieve three or more, you are a historical superstar.
While everyone was still in shock, Phil Knight made the final decision: "Jack, I made a bet with you. I will give you two more. As long as you achieve any of them, I will open a separate production line for you to create your own signature shoes." . If you win the regular season MVP or the finals MVP, I will give you 5% of the signature shoe dividend. However, I will add another one. After 5 years, under the same offer, we have the right to match."
"Yes," Su Xi said, "but I require that when signing the contract, 50% of my guaranteed contract amount will be paid."
This condition is very harsh, and the expressions of Nike staff changed drastically. It is never customary to pay 50% upfront. Moreover, such a huge amount of money is enough to send many eighteen or nineteen-year-old boys into the fallen world.
"Yes!" Phil Knight said: "However, the remaining guaranteed salary will be paid on an average annual basis. If you cannot enter the best rookie team in the first season and have not been selected three times or more in the first two seasons, The best player has not been selected as an All-Star in the first three seasons, and has not been selected as the best player of the month for 4 times or more in the previous five seasons. We reserve the clause not to pay the remaining contract salary."
"Okay." Su Xi was confident.
Everyone was stunned. They didn't expect the negotiation between the founder and Su Xi to be so... straightforward? Or rather straightforward.
But something more spontaneous happened later.
Phil Knight said: "Your strong self-confidence impressed me. Therefore, we do not need you to pay 5 million US dollars for the bet, we will still provide you with a 5-year contract of 45 million US dollars. You are the most arrogant and most arrogant person I have ever seen. The most arrogant and confident player, I like your personality."
The Goodwin brothers looked at each other and were dumbfounded.
What's happening here? The 5 million we negotiated desperately for, and you push it back and forth, what do you mean?
Is the three-and-a-half-hour verbal sparring with me a dispensable entertainment tool?
Vaccaro immediately understood what Phil Knight was thinking.
This is why he gave Jordan an extra Ferrari on the day he signed with Jordan.
Why?
Now that cooperation has been reached, be more generous. The bond must be made thoroughly. No one likes to find something lost.
Moreover, he was able to get Phil Knight's seemingly 'reckless' bet.
If you just listen to their conversations, you will feel very unprofessional and emotional.
But, study carefully. You'll find that everything is well thought out on both sides. Su Xi uses retreat to advance, releasing strong self-confidence.
Phil Knight struck while the iron was hot and pushed the already extremely difficult bet even further.
In fact, as long as Su Xi reaches any point, they will laugh from ear to ear.
If Su Xi is lucky enough to achieve two points, they will celebrate with champagne. The business returns at that time will be absolutely unprecedented.
Signature shoes are sure to sell out.
As for Phil Knight’s final comment on dividends from signature shoes, it’s too difficult. How many people in NBA history have won the Finals MVP consecutively? Since the beginning of the award, only Shaquille O'Neal, Olajuwon, and Michael Jordan have achieved it. Duncan, Bird, Magic, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Chamberlain have not achieved this.
There are several more regular season MVPs, from ancient times to the present: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Jabbar, Moses Malone, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and the newly born Ty Tim Duncan.
Once you reach this level, you can already compete for the number one active player.
Is it outrageous to give dividends to the number one active player in sneakers?
What's more, he is a point guard with the most handsome appearance in history and the vast Chinese market.
No matter how you calculate it, Nike will not lose money.
Make money with blood!
Win-win!
A win-win is when Nike wins twice.
…
