I am Really an Insider

The next afternoon, as planned, Wayne met with Nike negotiators in a five-star hotel room in New York.

Wayne is actually quite unaccustomed to such occasions. In the past two days, various interviews and talks have basically filled Wayne's life.

Running around in suits and ties actually made Wayne feel extremely tired.

Old Sutton was right. After having an agent, Wayne no longer needed to spend time worrying about off-field matters.

But Wayne's time was completely occupied.

Chinese media accounted for the majority of interviews. It is said that CCTV is preparing a documentary about Wayne's participation in the draft.

We haven’t played a single NBA game yet, and this is how much attention we have received. Is this the power of the Final Four MOP + the Chinese market?

"Wayne, it's a pleasure to meet you. We have been preparing to sign you for a long time. Under Nike, your influence will definitely continue to expand."

In front of Wayne, the Nike representative shook hands with Wayne cordially, and then looked at the smiling Schwartz very warily.

As we all know, this middle-aged man who looks harmless to humans and animals is the big BOSS today.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the two sides got down to business. The Nike representative came up with a contract that said "no one can be more sincere than us" - a five-year, 10 million cash contract.

Sneaker contracts are generally divided into three types: signature shoe contracts, cash contracts and commodity contracts.

As the name suggests, the signature shoe contract means that the company will launch special signature shoes for you, which are usually exclusive to superstars.

The product contract means that the company does not pay you a salary, but will provide you with free equipment. This is what most people on the fringes of the league sign.

Most players in the NBA sign cash contracts, which means they can receive endorsement fees and use equipment for free, but they have not yet reached the point of releasing signature shoes.

In fact, for an ordinary No. 12 pick, this contract is not bad.

It's only 2 million a year, which is about the same as the annual salary of a rookie contract.

But in Schwartz's eyes, Wayne is not an "ordinary" No. 12 pick.

For an ordinary 12-year-old show, can the market behind it be as big as Wayne's?

The price of the sneaker contract has nothing to do with the draft position, it purely depends on how capable you are.

"Well, I'll tell you the truth about this contract. It's far from what we expected." Schwartz shrugged, not mincing words.

"Mr. Schwartz, you know the market."

"Of course, but I think you should also remember how you missed Yao in the first place." Schwartz played his first card.

Sure enough, as soon as these words came out, the Nike representative paused.

In 2003, Chairman Yao originally planned to renew his contract with Nike.

As a result, Nike’s offer to Chairman Yao was only a ridiculous 1.6 million for four years.

Obviously, Yao Ming's team rejected such an offer, and at the time Nike was surprised that they would refuse.

After this, Reebok took advantage of the situation and successfully pried Chairman Yao away with a 7-year, 50 million contract.

In this way, Nike passed by China's most commercially valuable athlete.

This incident has always annoyed Nike executives.

Therefore, when Schwartz brought up the matter, Nike representatives were not calm.

This stepped on Nike's sore foot and warned them not to make the same mistake with Wayne again.

"We can add another $1 million in signing fees. This is the biggest concession, Mr. Schwartz."

Wayne on the side has long been confused, how can you arrange hundreds of millions of dollars in your mouth just like a joke of 1 million signing fees.

No, once you become a professional player, you still have to keep up with your temperament. Ahem, you can no longer be a loser like Tony.

"Well, let's think about it again, okay?" Schwartz pretended to think deeply, but in fact he didn't think about it at all.

"Of course, of course, there's no rush."

"Okay, Wayne really needs a rest. Tomorrow, he has to meet with Adidas. By the way, there will be Reebok the day after tomorrow." Schwartz said, turning his head towards Wayne.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm a little tired, let's go back and think about it first." Wayne nodded in agreement.

Schwartz played his second card and continued to exert pressure. He changed direction and told Nike: "If you don't raise the price, there are people who are willing to raise it."

The Nike representative looked solemn, even though he knew that Wayne and Schwartz were singing along on purpose.

But Adidas are really willing to spend money to compete with Nike.

Nike only missed Chairman Yao that year, but Adidas missed James last year!

Among all sports brands, Adidas was the closest to James, and they were even close to signing him.

But later, Adidas suddenly withdrew its offer due to disagreements with senior management, causing the cooperation to end awkwardly.

Now, Adidas must be filled with regret, and they also know deeply that they can't let go of the knife and music, but they can't trap the wolf.

Therefore, Adidas’s offer will definitely not be low, at least not lower than Nike’s.

They can no longer let any player with potential slip away from them, let alone a player who is sitting on the Chinese market.

This is competition in the sneaker market.

After David Stern, another person who drives up Wei's price comes.

Schwartz looked at the Nike representative's expression and smiled proudly.

How big Yao Ming's commercial value is, even a fool can see it now.

Although the insider does not sell shoes, his influence is still there.

You don't have to believe that Wayne can become the next Yao Ming, but you still have to bet.

If you don't bet, some people will bet.

What's more, one thing Schwartz has been emphasizing is: "Wei is an outside player, and his sneaker sales will never be as high as those of ordinary insiders."

Sure enough, the next day, the news that Adidas offered 10 million yuan over three years spread throughout the circle.

Although they are all 10 million, this is only a three-year contract with Adidas.

They have already won the No. 1 pick in 2004, Howard, and are strategically ahead of Nike. Now facing Wayne, they are chasing after them and taking advantage of the victory.

Three years is also a bad time. If you lose the bet, you can get rid of it as soon as possible and stop the loss in time. If the bet wins, Adidas also has the right to match the offer.

On the third day, Reebok expressed his willingness to pay 13 million for three years.

After you sing, I will appear. This wave of price war is very lively.

Nike's offer was completely suppressed, and the situation was getting worse.

Finally, they couldn't hold it in anymore and invited Schwartz and Wayne for a second meeting.

But surprisingly, Schwartz did not agree!

The reason is: "We are having deeper exchanges with Adidas."

In fact, Wayne didn't go anywhere that day. He just took his parents on a tour of New York.

The "deeper communication" is just a trick played by Schwartz.

This little game lasted for 24 hours before Schwartz told Nike: "A second meeting is possible, but the price must be sincere, because Wayne and Adidas are close to signing a contract."

In other words, this is Nike's last chance.

Wayne capitalized service.

Schwartz's cunning maneuver kept Wayne in the active position in the whole matter.

This feels really good, because in the previous draft, the initiative was in the hands of the team, and Wayne could only be selected.

Now that I have taken the initiative, I know what it means to be in control of my territory.

The main reason is that Wayne doesn't worry about anything. He just sits back and watches his worth rising every day when he should eat and sleep.

If a small agent were to handle this matter, he would probably be paralyzed when he heard the first 10 million offer.

After all, 15% commission on 10 million is not a small amount.

So during the second meeting, Nike couldn't hold it any longer and directly showed its trump card.

25 million in 3 years, plus a signing fee of 1 million, plus two bonus terms:

The reward for winning the Rookie of the Year is 1 million, and the reward for being selected for the Best Rookie First Team is 1 million.

The total amount is 28 million in three years, which is not much different from the 30 million in three years of the No. 1 Sparks.

This is a full stud with Adi!

The Chinese market + drives up Wei’s price, that’s how valuable it is.

This time, Nike's quotation directly beat out Adidas and Reebok. They were also telling the other two companies: "If you hold back and grab it, you will grab it. This guy is determined! Yao Ming missed it, and Wayne must not miss it again." "

Schwartz also knew that this was Nike's final offer. After all, they have been forced into this, which means that this is their highest price.

If you push it harder, people may just stop playing.

Just give it up when it's good, being too greedy will only lead to nothing.

Schwartz nodded and asked Wayne to sign the contract.

28 million in three years, Nike went through many twists and turns, and finally took Wayne under its wing.

The Nike representative was in tears.

If he misses Wayne again after Yao Ming is replaced, he may lose his job.

Although it is 2 million less than the No. 1 pick Howard, for a rookie with the 12th overall pick, this contract is almost astronomical.

Wayne's endorsement fee will be calculated starting next month and will be paid equally every month for three years.

But the 1 million signing fee was immediately given to Wayne.

After seeing off the Nike representative, Schwartz loosened his tie and drank a large glass of cold water, looking relieved.

Although Schwartz always behaves calmly during negotiations, he is actually under tremendous pressure.

It's just that he can't show his oppressed side.

"Huh, sorry Wei, it didn't reach 30 million in the end."

"This is already very good, Jeff, much higher than expected." Wayne could see that Schwartz had indeed tried his best.

"Haha, as long as you are satisfied. Now that you have $1 million in your hand, you can buy what you want."

Schwartz smiled. Generally speaking, players of Wayne's age would first buy themselves a sports car or something.

Well, I will definitely take my family on a shopping spree tonight.

But Wayne's next words echoed Schwartz's expectations: "Then I'll give you the fees you paid in advance before the draft, and Tony's share will be mine.

By the way, Jeff, that trainer named Mike Mancias, can you still contact him? I want him to be my personal trainer, preferably on a five-year contract.

There is also a press officer. I need a press officer, preferably one with experience. I don’t want to write press releases by myself anymore.

Also, I think we can sign a long-term contract, and I'm very satisfied with your performance during this period, Jeff. "

After Wayne finished speaking, he found Schwartz looking at him with doubtful eyes.

"Well, I'm sorry, Jeff. You should rest for a few days. You've been working hard during this period."

"No, that's not what I meant. It's just that Wayne, you are really special. Don't worry, I'll take care of what you need. As for the long-term contract, thank you for your trust."

Schwartz smiled and took another sip of water. He didn't know if his bet was right this time.

But he felt that he most likely won the bet!

Early the next morning, the news broke that Wayne signed with Nike for $28 million.

Everyone exclaimed: "What inspired Nike?"

"28 million to sign a No. 12 pick? Who can do such a thing!?"

"Wayne can retire now. He has received money that many NBA players will never receive in their lifetime."

"The mysterious Eastern power is so terrifying!"

While people were still discussing such boring things, Wayne had already done two things.

First, get Mancias and the press officer.

The press officer is a 31-year-old girl named Jenny. Let’s call her Auntie Jenny for now.

Second, Wayne resumed training and prepared for the upcoming summer league.

As a result, Wayne has become the most talked about rookie besides Howard.

Everyone wants to know whether the No. 12 pick who signed a sky-high contract with Nike is a joke or a myth.

Thanks to Wuhuanqiu, It’s time to put on the schoolbag, Kuangxin is now resting, Book Friends 141217172632176, Fu Jing’s Little Puff and other big guys for the rewards, thank you very much~