Chapter 237 Barkley Defected to the Knicks

In the next few days, Zhao Dong did not let go of the Heat. In two games, he defeated all his opponents, completed a sweep of the Heat, and took the lead in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

In the four-game series, he averaged 41 minutes per game, scoring 45 points, 12 rebounds, 75 assists, 175 steals, 34 blocks, 15 turnovers and 34 fouls. He played an absolutely dominant performance and completed the task, winning the third piece. .

At the same time, the Jazz lost two games in a row, one to three, giving the Sonics a match point and imminent elimination.

At noon on the 12th, the Knicks returned to New York.

Wells picked up the plane and said after meeting: "Feilong, Adidas and Nike called me. They want to talk. There are also big brands like Reebok and Puma."

"I know." Zhao Dong said.

Nike and Adidas contacted not only Wells but also Hughes Wallace, general manager of Dragon Sports' New York branch.

"Do you want to meet?" Wells asked.

"Why should I meet them? Go meet with Hughes Wallace and the legal team and ask them what they want to do." Zhao Dong said.

"Okay, I'll make arrangements right away," Wells said.

This afternoon, several parties met at a business hotel.

The presidents of several companies such as Adidas and Nike, plus six lawyers and several senior executives, the president of Feilong Sports' New York branch, Zhao Dong's legal team sent a barrister and two senior lawyers, plus Ringer Wells, a total of more than twenty people participated in the negotiations.

"This time Manley's remarks and slander against Mr. Zhao Dong have caused great harm to Mr. Zhao Dong personally, as well as Feilong Sports and the Silver Devils brand."

"On the Silver Devils brand alone, we calculated the data and found that the losses in North America reached 80 million US dollars. The subsequent losses are immeasurable, and the total losses are expected to reach 560 million US dollars."

"And in China, the losses are even greater."

"Mr. Manley will be responsible for everything. If we do not receive adequate compensation, I believe Mr. Zhao Dong's legal team will make Mr. Manley and some of the forces behind him pay a sufficient price."

"One year, three years, five years, or even ten years, we have enough time, patience, and financial resources to fight this lawsuit."

We talked until half past five in the afternoon,

The negotiations ended near the time appointed by Manley.

"cheers!"

At eight o'clock in the evening, in Zhao Dong and Lindsay's villa, everyone raised glasses of Champagne.

Zhao Dong has withdrawn all accusations against Manley and also promised not to target Manley and Karl Malone again.

As a condition, Manley publicly apologized to Zhao Dong on the front page of the New York Times, compensated Zhao Dong for $330 million in mental and other losses, and quit the NBA agent industry.

As for who will pay the money, of course it will be shared by brands like Adidas and Nike.

However, according to the agreement, the compensation Zhao Dong received required him to allocate another 100 million US dollars to the legal team. After counting the tens of millions of US dollars spent previously, half of it was left.

But this compensation is not important. What is important is that the result of this negotiation means that Feilong Sports has established a foothold in the United States, survived the encirclement and suppression of other brands, and officially became one of the giants with a 20% market share of North American basketball shoes. one.

At the same time, Zhao Dong and Lindsay also took this opportunity to establish their own network of contacts in North America with the help of Mrs. Dorisa, and entered the upper-class social circle in one fell swoop.

The next day, as the news broke, there were many consequences.

The entire NBA league is shocked. It is expected that from now on, no one will dare to behave racially against Zhao Dongxing, and no idiot will clamor for Zhao Dong to undergo a urine test alone.

At the same time, after the market opened in the morning, the stock prices of brands such as Adidas and Nike fell in response.

NBA headquarters, president's office, Stern was silent for a long time after receiving the news.

In his opinion, the appearance of a person like Zhao Dong among the players is definitely not a good thing for the league.

Now Feilong Sports has just emerged and has not signed any big-name stars yet, but what about the future? Will Zhao Dong use his influence to control these big-name players and thereby control the league?

Also, if Zhao Dong acquired the New York Jets, will he continue to acquire NBA teams?

Although the league has regulations that players cannot own the team's stock price, is that a problem for Zhao Dong? There are a hundred ways to get around this rule.

He felt that he needed to talk to Zhao Dong. He could not allow a sports brand to own an NBA team while its owner was also a superstar that the league was touting.

At noon that day, Buckley came to New York.

"Charles, why did you come to New York if you didn't find a good pier for fishing?" Zhao Dong said in surprise after arriving at the appointed restaurant.

"Screw fishing, I don't fish." Buckley said unhappily.

Zhao Dong laughed and said with a smile: "The media in Houston said that you rejected Mosaic's contract extension. Why, the contract is not big?"

"The veteran's contract is only one year for one million yuan. The management thinks I'm a fool. If there was a chance to win the championship, I would agree, but there is no chance!"

Buckley said in frustration.

"How much did you get this season?" Zhao Dong asked curiously.

"2.25 million. I was unlucky. I didn't catch up with the good times, and my annual salary never reached five million." Barkley sighed.

"That's quite a few."

Zhao Dong knows that Ewing's annual salary is 20 million, and the current Ewing is not necessarily better than Barkley.

Of course, Barkley is about the same. He is injured and has no good times, and his attendance rate is not good.

"Tell me, Feizhu, what do you want from me?" he asked directly.

"That, this..."

Buckley hesitated awkwardly.

"You want to hug my thigh?" Zhao Dong said with a smile.

"Who hugged the thigh? Who hugged the thigh?" Buckley said angrily.

This is a restaurant. When he yelled, everyone looked over, making the two of them very embarrassed.

"You were so unhappy, I shouldn't have come to the Western restaurant to see you." Zhao Dong said regretfully.

"Then tell me, are the Knicks short of people?" Barkley gritted his teeth and said without caring about his face.

"Next season..."

Zhao Dong thought for a moment and then said: "There should be a few people leaving."

"Who?" Buckley asked.

Zhao Dongdao: "Alan Houston, he won't get many opportunities with me. If he has the opportunity, he should choose to leave. He and I have already discussed this idea.

There is also Old Oak. We have trained Ben Wallace and Fordson. Oakley has fewer and fewer opportunities. His contract will end this season, and he may choose to leave and look for opportunities with other teams.

In addition, veteran Buck Williams' contract has also ended, and he should retire directly.

Also, Charlie Ward's contract has also ended. Now that he has lost his position, he should also choose to leave.

You know, if we successfully defend the title this time, their status will increase. The last contract has just ended. This is the best opportunity for a Canadian contract. "

Barkley said excitedly: "I can fill Oakley's position, what do you think?"

"Aren't you afraid that he will fight with you?" Zhao Dong said with a smile.

"Haha... isn't he leaving?" Buckley laughed awkwardly.

Zhao Dong reminded: "He was a substitute in the regular season this season."

Barkley said frustratedly: "What else can I do? My current body is indeed injured a lot and I can't play the main force."

Later, people said that Barkley went to Mosaic to hug his thigh, but ended up beating himself into a thigh. This was actually a self-deprecating statement by Barkley.

The real situation is that after he arrived at Mosaic, his physical injuries broke out. He was injured in 145 games in 4 seasons, with an average of more than 30 games per season.

If he goes to the Knicks, he will definitely not be able to play as the main force. Oakley is in better shape than him now. He will play 80 games this season and have to make way for Ben and Fordson, let alone him?

"Let your agent talk to the management. I won't get involved in this kind of thing," Zhao Dong said.

Then he explained: "You also know my other identity. As the owner of Feilong Sports, I am not only a player, but also a sponsor of the Knicks team, and at the same time, I am a sponsor of most of the players in the team. , it would be too taboo to interfere in the operation of the management, so my identity in the Knicks must be kept simple, that is, a player."

Buckley said with envy on his face: "I heard that you led them to invest and make money, hehe, you can lead me too."

"You want to make money? Over the years, you have earned a salary of thirty to forty million US dollars, right? Isn't that enough? I heard that you are very economical." Zhao Dong said with a smile.

"A total of just over 30 million is the annual salary of that guy Jordan, and I don't have much savings on hand right now." Barkley sighed.

"Jordan didn't get much, that is, in these two seasons, his money mainly came from his endorsement fees and brand shoe income. After this season, his contract ends, and the Bulls may not give him another 30 million a year. " Zhao Dong said with a smile.

At this point, he smiled and said: "Charles, I have a suggestion for you. If you want to make money, retire early and work as a commentator. I think you have a good eloquence and are suitable for that line of work. The money in that line of work is no worse than being a player."

"Hey, don't tell me, I've thought about it too." Barkley said excitedly.

"Hello, Mr. Stern, I am Zhao Dong."

"Zhao Dong, I am Xiao Hua, Mr. Stern wants to see you."

At this time, Zhao Dong's cell phone rang, and the caller was Xiao Hua, Stern's special assistant.

However, Xiao Hua's tone was very blunt, as if he didn't want to see him?

Well, that's not surprising at all.

"Sorry, who are you?"

Zhao Dong replied and hung up the phone directly.

"This bastard!"

Xiao Hua on the other end was so angry that his hair stood on end, if he had any.

"Have you made an appointment?"

Seeing Xiao Hua come in, Stern asked from behind the desk.

"Sir, he just hung up on me. He was so outrageous. I think the league should ban his brand from entering, to prevent him from completely controlling the league and becoming a cancer for the league."

Xiao Hua said angrily.

He said this according to Stern's thoughts and also reached Stern's heart. Now Stern is worried about this. After hearing this, his expression darkened and became a little ugly.

At this time, his cell phone rang, and when he saw it, he didn't recognize the caller's number.

"Hello, I'm David Stern."

"Mr. Stern, I am Zhao Dong, do you want to see me?"

Stern was startled, glanced at Xiao Hua opposite, and said with a smile: "Yes, Feilong, I want to talk to you. Do you have time recently?"

Xiao Hua's expression changed. This damn Chinese actually bypassed him and contacted Mr. President directly. Where did this put his face?

Two hours later, Zhao Dong and Stern were sitting in a coffee shop in the league headquarters building.

The two made coffee and chatted for a while about the playoffs. Then Stern said: "Feilong, you invested in the New York Jets. I heard that you originally wanted to acquire an NBA team?"

Zhao Dong laughed and said: "That was my wife who said she wanted to give me a team, but with the New York Jets, this no longer exists. I currently have no idea of ​​investing in an NBA team.

I know the relevant rules of the league. My current identity is very complicated, so I strive to maintain a simpler identity in the Knicks and the league, that is, as a player. "

Stern breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "Actually, I hope more people will invest in the NBA, but the development of the league needs to maintain a fair environment as much as possible. I think you understand."

"Of course, if I am both a player and a sponsor owner who can control other players, or even the owner of a certain team, then this is extremely unfair to other teams and players. I understand this. So I I will never use Feilong Sports to influence other players, nor will I invest in the team." Zhao Dong said with a smile.

"That would be the best. If that happens, the league will continue to look favorably on you and hope we can have a happy cooperation." Stern also gave his conditions.

"I believe we will cooperate happily." Zhao Dong smiled.

"Feilong, what do you think of the development of the alliance in China?" Stern put aside his scruples about Zhao Dong and asked with a smile.

Zhao Dong thought for a while and said: "If the league agrees to support our basketball movement in China, I will help the league promote it in China."

Although he has now built a training base in Beijing and invited some trainers to go there, these alone are far from enough.

If the league supports it, domestic basketball will definitely develop better.

"Oh, this is a very constructive proposal." Stern said with great interest.

Then the two exchanged some ideas with each other before ending the meeting.

That night, the Jazz regained a match point.

Postman Malone returned to form, scored 38 points, and led the team to win over the Sonics.

However, the SuperSonics still led by a score of three to two and held a match point.

At the same time, the Bulls eliminated the Pacers 4-1 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Lakers eliminated the Spurs 4-1 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

At 10 a.m. on the 14th, Barkley's agent Wilt came to the Knicks headquarters and met with Neil Grant at the appointed time.

Grant has already talked with Zhao Dong. It is still possible to introduce veterans like Barkley. Such strength is also needed on the bench and it does not take up much space.

Zhao Dong's idea for Barkley is to use it sparingly, just like the Bulls used Ewing this season, and use the remaining oil in the playoffs. His strength is not needed in the regular season.

The two sides have negotiated and are just waiting to sign the contract.

"Feilong, the management agreed, five million dollars in two years." Buckley was very happy and called Zhao Dong.

Zhao Dong almost died laughing. He remembered that in his previous life, this fat man earned US$1 million next season and US$9 million in the last season. Now that he has come to the Knicks, he will receive US$5 million less in two years.

Buckley was so happy that he called his aunt Larry Johnson again.

The two are very good friends. They have the same physique and play the same position. If Larry Johnson hadn't suffered a serious back injury, his achievements would not be weaker than Barkley's.

"Charles, are you okay?"

Larry Johnson was at home and was delighted to receive the call from Barkley.

This old guy was eliminated again, but he himself is doing very well and may win a championship ring this season, so I am a little worried about the old guy's mood.

"Hey, man, we will be teammates next season, do you welcome me?" Barkley said happily.

"What? Oh, that's great!" Larry Johnson said in surprise.

"My agent just negotiated with the team, yes, that's it." Barkley cheered.

"Listen, old man, you're a little late, you could have been here last season and you would have been the defending champion this season."

Larry Johnson said with a smile.

"Damn it, Larry, are you showing off in front of me?" Buckley said angrily.

"Okay, Charles, when you come over, I will take you to see Fei Long. There is a conflict between you and him. But believe me, I can solve this problem. Our relationship is very good." Larry Johnson smiled. .

"You know, you know, can the relationship between the three New York gangsters not be good? You beat Jordan for the Dragons, and the whole world knows it." Barkley smiled.

"Haha, yes, now all my money is placed with Feilong. He helps me invest and make a lot of money, you know?" Larry Johnson said excitedly.

"Please, Larry, please take me!" Buckley said quickly.

"Just say something to Feilong. It's okay for teammates, but not for traitors like Camby." Larry Johnson laughed.

"Okay, okay, but Feilong and I have met before, and things are going well between us. What I need you to do is say hello to that guy in Oakley. But I'm not afraid of him. You have to Make it clear to him," Buckley said.

"Okay, he has no problem there, leave it to me." Larry Johnson smiled.

The Bucks' agent's contact with the Knicks was quickly revealed by the media.

"Charles, are you planning to join the Knicks next season?" Several reporters immediately found the hotel where Barkley was staying and conducted interviews.

"It's not determined yet." Buckley smiled in a good mood.

"Do you think the Knicks have a chance to win the championship next season?"

"There should be, right?"

"What if not? Aren't your thighs hugged in vain again?"

"Who's hugging you? I'm a veteran. My contract with Mosaic is over. I'm about to retire. I just want to get a ring. There's no need to target me, right? Why are your questions so mean? You have to be kind."

Buckley said angrily.

"Charles, what do you think of the G6 game between the Jazz and SuperSonics?" a reporter asked.

"Feilong let the postman go. He was lucky. But it may not be easy for the Jazz to get it back," Barkley said.

"Do you think Feilong's legal team really has evidence against the postman?" a reporter asked.

"I don't know, but you can't be too much of a postman," Buckley said.

"Don't be a postman? What does this mean?" the reporter asked.

"Just don't be like a postman. Last time about the ban on drugs, for whom did Manly target Feilong?" Buckley said.

Jordan accepted an interview with the media and was asked about Barkley.

"Michael, Barkley chose the Knicks. Does this mean that he believes in Feilong's strength more than you?" the reporter asked.

"He's blind, that's why he can't win a championship in his life." Jordan said angrily.

"You can't be too much of a postman."

The next day, the New York Times published Buckley's words on the front page.

This day is also the day of the G6 battle between the Jazz and SuperSonics.

If the Jazz can pull this one back, there will be a chance for a tiebreaker.

"Barkley, you bastard! If you want to hug Feilong's stinky feet, you don't need to use me as a stepping stone, right?"

In the locker room of the Utah Jazz training base, after seeing the New York Times report, the postman who was about to go to training was very angry.

"Forget it, Karl, don't look at this, playing tonight's game well is the most important thing." Stockton said.

"He's just a villain," the postman said angrily.

That night, the Jazz defeated the Sonics and got the chance to tie the game as they wished.

On the 17th, the two teams started a tiebreaker.

In the end, the Jazz relied on both black and white and a deep bench to defeat the SuperSonics and reach the Western Conference Finals.

The Western Conference Finals will begin on May 19th, and the Eastern Conference Finals will be one day later, on the 20th.

The superstars that the two leagues strongly support, which can be said to be their signatures, are both in the Eastern Conference. There is no doubt that the influence of the Eastern Conference Finals is greater, even several times greater.

The media and fans mostly discuss the Eastern Conference Finals.

For the Western Conference Finals, the media and some stars in the league have a 50-50 prediction of the outcome.