"Agent?" Li Ao was stunned for a moment, and then shouted: "If you want to see me, just call me directly! Even if my phone is turned off during training in the afternoon, you can still go to the dean's office of the School of Computer Science. Didn't I leave my contact information? Any notes?"
"Leo!"
Vivian gave a soft drink and finally stopped Li Ao's rampage.
She was really afraid that Li Ao couldn't help but give him a slap. It was fine before, but now that Li Ao was a public figure, there would be more trouble, although she was also shocked and angry.
Pulling the handbrake, Vivian got out of the car, looked at the middle-aged man in front of her who looked to be in his 40s, and asked in a gentle tone: "Sir, is it because I am not in the office that you have not been able to contact us successfully? ?”
The man said awkwardly: "No, I contacted Leo on the phone before, but he refused to meet me. I didn't want to give up. I heard that he was training here, so I came here to wait for him. I saw him sitting in the car and stopped me. You guys, I want to fight for it again.”
Middle-aged people actively looking for work?
Li Ao felt much less impatient and asked: "Are you an independent agent? Sorry, although I don't think all independent workers are incompetent, I still hope to go to a brokerage company with a complete work team."
"No, no, no, I'm not an independent agent..." As he said this, the man took out his business card and handed it to Li Ao.
Li Ao took it and looked at it... His arm was pulled. He bent down and put his head close to the head of the assistant aunt next to him, and looked at it together.
Vivian took one look and knew why Li Ao refused.
A big company, a proper big company.
IMG Entertainment Group, a large and prestigious brokerage company.
During this period, not only sports agencies, but also entertainment companies want to sign Li Ao...
Li Ao remembered that he seemed to have received a call from someone from this company.
He complained: "Uncle, although I am handsome, I don't want to join the entertainment industry."
He didn't expect that he just complained, and the other party reacted fiercely as if he had been stepped on: "Uncle? I'm only 30 years old! Not much older than you!"
Vivian + Li Ao: Σ(☉▽☉“a!!!
The two of them looked up and down at the overly vicissitudes of life in front of them. He was only 30 years old?
Li Ao complained again: "You look like this, can you blame me for being mistaken for your age?"
The man had the urge to throw up his sleeves and leave, but he still resisted it, changed the subject forcibly, and asked: "Can I delay your time? Our company is not only an entertainment agency, but also has a professional sports department. In fact, we have never In terms of striving for more benefits for players, we have an advantage that other agencies do not have..."
This time Li Ao was more patient and listened to what the other party had to say.
For no other reason, the other party looked too miserable and he couldn't bear to interrupt.
If you want to refuse, wait until the other party has finished speaking... eh, wait a minute.
He picked up the business card and looked at the name again... Jeff Schwartz?
Is it that Schwartz?
After the other party finished speaking, Vivian was ready to get in the car and drive away. Unexpectedly, Li Ao said: "I'm a little interested. Let's chat for a while. Have you had dinner?"
…
A few minutes later, the three of them arrived at a coffee shop.
Li Ao did not talk about the agent immediately. Instead, he made insinuations and asked a lot about the other party.
He didn't know if this Schwartz was the Schwartz he remembered who had climbed to the top ten of Forbes' global sports agents list. If he got the wrong person and ended up joining an entertainment company, it would be great fun.
The chatty attribute came into play at this time, and he got a lot of useful information during the conversation.
Jeff Schwartz was born in 1969 and only turned 31 in a few months. He graduated from the University of Chicago Law Department and later went to Temple University to complete his master's and doctoral studies. He became a doctor of law at the age of only 26. Got an iron job in Washington.
But I resigned from my job as a court clerk after half a year. I had too little money and too many things to do, and I was not happy to endure it anymore.
After resigning, IMG took a fancy to him. Because he was passionate about sports since childhood, he joined the sports department of IMG Entertainment. He was originally asked to be the deputy director of the legal team of the sports department, but after two years of working, he had enough. Sitting in an office every day, I took the initiative to get demoted and lowered my salary to find a job as an agent...
When Li Ao inquired about the other party's details, he asked the hospital assistant's aunt to contact Liam to check. The feedback received showed that it was true that Schwartz resigned after half a year of academic qualifications and working in the federal court. The photos were also here. It's this anxious face.
Later, the matter of joining IMG was not found out. Liam just asked the company's legal affairs. Because of Schwartz's outstanding college experience, he could get information feedback immediately, but he was not afraid that the other party was lying. If he really signed the contract, he would definitely go there. Liam’s people from the other company will bring him with him, so he doesn’t have to worry about being cheated.
After giving an overview of his situation, Schwartz began to tell Li Ao his career plans for Li Ao.
When it came to talking about work, Schwartz was no longer so embarrassed. He took out a pile of information and talked non-stop.
Li Ao also listened very seriously, although he felt that the other party seemed to underestimate him... but if he said it too exaggeratedly, he would think that the other party was exaggerated, which made him feel more pragmatic.
Career planning will definitely change as your career progresses, and this matter is not that important.
The question before Li Ao now is just one - is the opponent's new recruit agent worth the risk?
He even wants to sign a mature and experienced agent to help him handle the chores off the court, so that he will not be interfered by off-court factors and affect him from doing the things he likes.
After thinking for a while, he made up his mind.
Everyone is so young, give it a try!
Even if I chose the wrong agent this time, wouldn't it be enough to change to another?
Unlike people in the entertainment industry, their athletes have absolute dominance in their agent contracts. The direct point is that they can terminate the contract at any time if they want. The terms are basically aimed at the agent's illegal operations, not the players.
After Schwartz finished talking about the plan, he looked at Li Ao cautiously with his overmature face.
Li Ao made a decision: "I am very interested in cooperating with you. Do you have time tomorrow? If possible, we would like to visit your company tomorrow and discuss this matter in detail."
Schwartz, who was mentally prepared to be rejected, said excitedly: "Really? God bless, Leo, I will not let you down!"
The two made an appointment, and Li Ao suddenly thought of something and asked: "Jeff, am I the first player you signed?"
Schwartz: "Uh..."
Li Ao: "..."
No need to listen to the answer, why do you suddenly feel like you have stepped into a trap?
…
The next day, Saturday, Li Ao took the legal counsel from Liam's investment bank to the North American regional headquarters of IMG Entertainment in Los Angeles for an inspection.
Li Ao checked the company's information last night and found that it is still a multinational company. Its main business is concentrated in Europe and North America. It also has business in Asia and South America, but it cannot compete with local companies, so its funds and contacts are concentrated in Europe and North America.
After arriving at IMG's North American headquarters, the legal department went on an on-site inspection and found that although Schwartz was a novice agent, he had been working for two years and IMG had equipped him with a complete team. Although the manpower was recruited from the company when needed, There are temporary helpers here, but for a novice agent, this is already a very rare treatment. Other novice agents do odd jobs under the veteran agents, or they work as independent agents. One person can feed the whole company without starving. .
In the end, Li Ao signed an agent contract with Jeff Schwartz.
As expected of an investment bank's legal affairs department, Schwartz's bottom line of authority was discussed in every aspect.
There is nothing you can do about the commission. For large companies, unless they make a big contribution, it is standard.
The main thing is the division of responsibilities. Basically, it’s all about Schwartz’s illegal operations. Unless it’s something that should be left to the agent but Li Ao skips the agent because of interests, there are basically no restrictions on him. .
In other words, if he regrets the contract right after signing it, he can terminate the contract right where he is.
After the signing was completed, Li Ao left. Schwartz was still busy, holding a signing celebration party and so on. The two made an appointment to do it together after they were selected and signed.
The reason... both of them are poor.
Walking out of the building of IMG's North American headquarters, Li Ao was still in pain, becoming the first rookie under a novice agent...
Thinking at the best, if you become the first player in the hands of an agent who will become very popular in the future, you might even be rewarded by someone who knows how to be a great talent.
With an agent, he doesn't want to worry about the draft.
Who said it well? Don't doubt the people you employ, and don't use them when you don't.
With this ability, he believed that even Schwartz, who was still a novice, could handle it well.
He focused all his attention on the next exam preparation and training, leisurely waiting for the draft trial to arrive.
He was full of expectations for Schwartz, but he didn't expect that Schwartz would give him a 'surprise' a few days later.
…
The time has come to May 31st.
After more than a month of hard work, Li Ao's three-point development finally made substantial progress - the three-point evaluation reached a qualified level of 60!
It was more difficult than he expected!
The main reason is that he uses the NBA's three-point line distance for development.
In order to help him develop NBA-level three-pointers, Xavier Johnson deliberately covered the original three-point line in the small training ground with stickers and put tape on the NBA-standard three-point line.
Compared with the three-point line specifications of the NCAA and FIBA, the NBA three-point line is not only farther away, but also has another difficulty in practicing - every position outside the three-point line has a different distance from the basket!
The three-point line of the NCAA and FIBA is the same distance from each point to the basket, similar to the shape of a protractor.
The NBA's three-point line has two wings parallel to the sideline, a distance of 5.8 meters from the baseline, and then draws an arc from these two points to the farthest distance of 7.25 meters in front of the basket.
As Xavier Johnson said, Li Ao 'took advantage' at this time.
He has only been playing for a few months and has almost never developed a three-pointer. He does not need to make additional adaptations.
Relying on his excellent shooting talent and 240% training efficiency, he finally reached a passing level after spending more than a month, which means he is able to see past shooting in training. If he has to shoot in the game, he can shoot.
However, his three-point evaluation is slightly different from that of mid-range shots and layups.
After the three-point rating of 60, 'NBA' is marked in parentheses.
He tentatively believes that even in the NBA where the basis of various ability indicators is higher, his three-point evaluation will not change.
He was actually a little dissatisfied with this rate of progress.
June is coming soon, the Eastern and Western Conference finals are in full swing, and draft workouts for each team are about to start one after another, as well as the Chicago joint workout on June 10th.
He hopes to show stronger strength and strive to be selected with a higher pick.
That’s money!
One pick higher will earn hundreds of thousands more in four years, and ten picks higher will earn several million more in four years.
But in Xavier Johnson's view, Li Ao's three-point improvement speed is simply not too outrageous.
Most of the players he knew who could be called geniuses would take a summer to train from scratch to Li Ao's level.
It is said that Li Ao "took advantage of not needing additional adaptation", but in fact it is the difficulty of Li Ao developing three-pointers, which is much more difficult than that of other college students to develop three-pointers according to NCAA standards.
After training, Li Ao took a shower and came out through the long and narrow gym. He saw the venue's cleaners cleaning the main training ground at the end.
The Trojans had passed the meeting with each of their talented high school students, and now it was time for tryouts, so his training venue was changed to a small training ground.
Last weekend, when he was training during the day, high school students came to watch.
The time spent training here is getting less and less every day, and I feel nostalgic.
After leaving the training ground, he was about to take the bus back to his apartment when his cell phone rang.
He took out his Hello Kitty-shaped mobile phone. It was a call from his agent.
After saying a few words, he turned a corner, went downstairs, and arrived at the parking lot. Schwartz was already waiting for him outside the entrance, next to a car that looked a bit old.
Li Ao didn't mind it either. He got into the passenger seat, fastened his seat belt, and asked, "Jeff, do you have any business with me at this time? You're not here to take me home, are you?"
Schwartz took out a piece of paper from his briefcase, handed it to Li Ao, and said: "In the past few days, I have contacted various teams, got some information through the company's old agent, and made a trial training plan. You Let’s take a look first.”
With that said, Schwartz started the engine and sent Li Ao home.
Li Ao looked at the trial training plan in his hand and his eyes widened.
"Jeff, are we so confident? We won't go to trials for non-first-round picks, and we won't participate in second trials for non-lottery picks? That's not what you said that day!"
"Leo, you and I underestimated your market value too much. David Stern personally responded to your participation in the draft. This is not a common thing. Did you know that after the company learned that I signed you, he was in charge of North American sports? The vice president of the agency department came to talk to me about you. He and I both believed that David Stern took a fancy to your background as a player. There may be teams that don’t have that vision, but there are always The team can see your potential in the business market." Schwartz's tone at this moment was just like when he explained his career plan to Li Ao before, revealing confidence.
"Well...that's why I think I can make it to the first round."
"No! This is just the basics. I dare to make such a trial training plan, mainly because of your basketball talent. The feedback I got is that many teams are interested in you because of your performance this season. This trial training plan is just a plan. When it comes When we actually select the trial teams, our requirements will only be higher.”
Li Ao closed his eyes and thought. There was silence in the car. Schwartz did not disturb him and drove quietly.
Schwartz knew it was a tough choice.
Putting forward higher requirements means losing some opportunities for teams to select him. If he does not get the high pick, he may fall to the second round.
After a while, Li Ao opened his eyes and said with a smile: "Jeff, since you have so much confidence in me and I have confidence in your judgment, I will do as you say!"
Schwartz's 'old face' also showed a smile and responded: "I will definitely promote you to a team that satisfies us all. You are my first 'commodity'... By the way, I turned over a few years ago When I was looking at the draft list, I saw a player who was a flower grower was selected by the Mavericks, named Wang, do you know him?"
Wang Zhizhi? Li Ao shook his head: "I have played basketball for less than a year and don't know many people. Do you want to sign him? I can't help much, but I know our domestic reporters, reporters with high status. He should have I’ll ask him how to contact him first.”
"Thank you so much. One more thing. I just went to the Toyota Center, so I stopped by to take you home. The logo man made an appointment with me and wanted to set up a time to try out you alone."
Li Ao heard this and said in confusion: "The Lakers have a record of 67 wins this season and are ranked first. They only have the 29th overall pick. They are not within the scope of our consideration, right?"
"If they intend to draft you, it will not be difficult for them to trade higher draft picks. They now have many high-quality players, including Fisher, Fox, Rice, Lue, Green... If they win the championship, The trade value of these high-quality players will be higher.
I didn't agree to the logo man right away because they already had O'Neal and Bryant. If you go to the Lakers, it's hard to guarantee the right to take action.
But I didn’t reject him. I don’t know if you particularly want to stay in Los Angeles and play..."
…
…
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(End of chapter)
