Minneapolis.
Two days have passed since the Western Conference Finals, but the atmosphere in this city about the NBA Finals has just been ignited.
This is the first time they have entered the NBA Finals since the team was established. It can be said to be a historic moment, almost the same as when the Cleveland Cavaliers entered the Finals.
Therefore, in order to help build momentum for the finals here, officials specially produced many billboards for promotion here in Minneapolis.
On the billboard, Zhao Feiyang, as the core of the team, stood in the C position.
His status and reputation in this city have reached a very terrifying state. It can be said that if we put aside the fact that Kevin Garnett is an American, then Zhao Feiyang's influence surpasses him in almost all other aspects.
To the city, he was the hero who saved them.
Without Zhao Feiyang, the Timberwolves may not be able to reach the finals if they play for another ten years. This alone is enough to make him a god in the history of the Timberwolves.
In a private room of a coffee shop, Zhao Feiyang was discussing cooperation matters with someone sent by Nike.
Nike is indeed a super manufacturer, but its olfactory sensitivity is completely different. While other manufacturers were still contacting Zhao Feiyang's agent David Stock, Nike sent its regional manager to contact Zhao Feiyang personally.
"Zhao, I'm glad to see you. We all watched your game recently. You are a great guy. Because of you, this city has a completely different look... This is something I have never seen before. I have never seen it before..."
Nike's regional director, Malis Sean, first briefly praised it, and then talked about cooperation.
"We know that you don't have a signature sneaker yet, so we hope to sign a contract with you and create a signature sneaker that is exclusive to you... You know, you have many admirers now, and We have always been the top manufacturer of sneakers, and if we work together, we will definitely make this thing great..."
After expressing their intention to cooperate, the other party took out the contract and handed it to Zhao Feiyang.
Zhao Feiyang patiently flipped through the pages and carefully read the various terms and additional conditions above.
"The signer must ensure that the points per game in each season are no less than 20+. If the conditions cannot be met, the contract amount received for that season will be reduced by 30%..."
"The signatory must ensure that there are no major scandals outside the game. If the off-field situation affects the brand image of sneakers, we will be able to terminate the contract with the signatory at any time, and we can also sue the signatory to compensate us for our losses..."
"If the signer can get MVP and other honors, different amounts of bonuses will be distributed according to different honors..."
"After the contract expires, we have the right to renew the contract with outstanding signatories... After signing the contract, the signatories are not allowed to sign any commercial contracts related to sneakers worldwide. If they violate the regulations, the signers will be People will also be compensated several times the contract amount..."
After reading the series of regulations, Zhao Feiyang couldn't help but frown.
When he saw the price on the last page, he became even more dissatisfied with the contract.
"$28 million over four years?"
"This works out to only US$7 million a year? And there are so many conditions attached?"
Of course, Zhao Feiyang would not agree to such a contract.
He didn't see any so-called sincerity in it.
So, he submitted the contract to the person in charge, Malis, who also saw Zhao Feiyang's dissatisfaction and kept persuading him.
"Zhao, I know you are worth a higher price... But now that you are 30 years old, how many years do you think you have left in your career? I am not offending you, but most players in the league are just You can play until you are about 35 years old. Once you pass that age, it is very difficult to guarantee your condition..."
"Although the money is not as much as you think, our brand value is huge. If you sign with someone else, fans will not know who the manufacturer is when they buy shoes. Do you know? We have more than Is it brand value or consumers’ trust in us..."
"I believe you must also know that many of our shoes cost hundreds of dollars for a pair in China, and you may not be able to buy them at such a price... This is our value, if you sign a contract with us , I guarantee that your sneakers will sell for higher prices..."
After hearing this, Zhao Feiyang finally couldn't help it.
"Wait, Mr. Malis, I have to interrupt you... First of all, what does the higher price of sneakers have to do with me? In the end, it is only the fans in our country who lose most of the money. You earned it..."
"Furthermore, as a native Chinese, I actually don't understand why a pair of sneakers that look very ordinary in the United States can be sold for thousands of yuan in China? I don't understand, that has nothing to do with the shoes themselves. The value! In my opinion, sneakers are meant to be worn to play, not just for collection in a cabinet..."
"So, I hope that the fans who support me can afford cheaper sneakers instead of spending thousands of yuan or more to buy a pair of sneakers that can't play! Chinese people are not as rich as you think, most of them No family can afford to just spend thousands of yuan on a pair of sneakers..."
"Let's forget about our cooperation for now!"
After Zhao Feiyang expressed his attitude, he stood up and walked out. His actions also made the person in charge, Malis, keep trying to persuade him to stay.
"Zhao, wait a moment, the contract issue can still be discussed..."
However, Zhao Feiyang did not stay.
For him, money is only part of it, and Nike's attitude doesn't seem to take it seriously. If you don't even respect them enough, how can you expect them to develop their own exclusive sneakers? Not to mention there are so many requirements and terms!
After leaving the coffee shop, Zhao Feiyang and his agent David Stock planned to drive back. As soon as I left the parking lot, I didn't expect to be blocked by a man with a Chinese face at the door.
"Wait a moment."
"Feiyang, my name is Zhang Li, and I am the person in charge of the Red Star brand in the United States. I know you have just finished negotiating the contract with Nike. Although we are not as good as Nike, I still hope you can take a look at this contract... .”
"We very much hope to cooperate with you... We are also sincere enough..."
When Zhao Feiyang heard that it was a domestic manufacturer, he did not refuse. He took the contract and contact information and put them in the car.
A simple encounter did not make Zhao Feiyang pay attention to this brand.
You can’t blame him! Red Star is not the biggest brand in China. Compared with many well-known brands, there is a gap. Now that they want to make sports-specific sneakers, this really makes people have to doubt their shoemaking technology!
