Chapter 272: Nike Changes Ownership, Storm Takes over Nike

At this time, in a business hotel in New York, NBA labor and management were beginning another round of negotiations.

In order to advance the negotiation process, Stern required all team owners to participate in the negotiation this time, so twenty-nine owners were present.

As for the labor side, headed by union chairman Ewing and union executive director Billy Hunt, O'Neal and Dameng are among the negotiators.

The last time Stern announced that if no agreement was reached this time, the entire season would be canceled. Therefore, before the start of this negotiation, O'Neal and Dream, as negotiators, proposed a secret ballot.

Some players said that regardless of the outcome of the vote, they want to return to the game.

Some players also said that they will fight to the end.

Therefore, under the pressure of the management and the promotion of Falke and other thoughtful people, serious divisions have actually occurred within the players.

"Feilong is sitting in Giants Stadium now, and I'm a little worried that he has lost patience with the NBA." Knicks owner James Dowland said to Lakers owner Buss.

"He may go to professional boxing, but he won't go to the NFL?" Bass said.

"I can't tell, but he practiced football at Stony Brook University. Otherwise, how could he buy the Jets?" Dolan said.

"The stock prices of Nike and Adidas have fallen by another 50% today. Nike is only at $42, back to where it was at the end of last month."

"It's just the beginning. Nike and Adidas have become fat in the eyes of Wall Street."

"They shouldn't mess with Fei Long and Miss Lindsay."

"Okay, be quiet, now we have another vote on the salary cap issue." Stern said at this time.

This proposal is a key point in the negotiations.

The labor wants to increase the salary cap, but the management does not agree and only wants to increase the basic salary, which of course will not be agreed by Ewing and others.

Increasing the basic salary would be a negative for big names like them. Their salaries are likely to be reduced. How could they agree to this?

But the shutdown has lasted for so long, and both sides have suffered huge losses. Both labor and management have become anxious, hoping to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

In addition, Zhao Dong’s signature brand is still in retirement,

It goes hand in hand with professional boxing and the NFL, so now I want to end the lockout even more.

At 9 a.m. on the 11th, NBA held a press conference to announce that labor and management had reached an agreement on the most critical salary cap.

The management took a step back and agreed to increase the salary cap. The salary cap for the 1997/98 season was raised from US$26.9 million in the 1996/97 season to US$30 million, which is 48% of the league's basketball-related revenue.

This news made all the players cheer, they finally felt the breath of the new season.

"Breaking through at key points, NBA rematch is imminent!" New York Times.

"The end of the world, as David Stern said it is!" New York Sports.

Zhao Dong was interviewed by the New York Times. When asked about this matter, he said: "This is the best news. I hope the new season will start as soon as possible."

"So Feilong, will you come back after the new season starts?" the reporter asked.

"Let's wait until that day."

In order to avoid trouble, Zhao Dong avoided this issue.

"Feilong, as a member of the players, why don't you participate in this negotiation?" the reporter asked.

"Have I not retired? I have nothing to do with the NBA now." Zhao Dong said with a smile.

"..." The reporter was speechless.

Jordan also accepted an interview with the media and said: "Start quickly, if you delay it any longer, I will really retire."

Over the next few days, labor and management continued to work overtime to negotiate to resolve the remaining differences.

On the 12th, Nike's stock price was suppressed to 18 yuan. In just thirteen days, it skyrocketed from 40 to 135, and now it has plummeted to 18 yuan. All of Nike's energy has been exhausted.

Adidas and other other companies are better. After all, Lindsay's main target is Nike, and the acquisition order is only issued for Nike.

But because they have attracted too much capital, they are only slightly better off. If they continue to struggle, they will be seriously affected.

After the market closed that afternoon, four guests that Lindsay had arranged for came to Storm Fund.

These four people are all Wall Street bosses, and they are also the four largest financial hosts who followed suit in the acquisition of Nike.

The reason why Lindsay met with the four people was because she wanted to complete the acquisition of Nike.

The supermarket shooting case has been under investigation, but the investigation of the cash cannot be continued, so the investigation has actually reached a deadlock. The shooting case cannot be turned into a murder case because there is not enough evidence.

Although there is no evidence, she believes that the shooting was a murder against her and her husband, and the most likely mastermind of the murder was Nike.

"Mr. Morris, please," she said to one of the four.

Morris owns six investment funds and controls nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars. He is the most senior and powerful among the four Wall Street tycoons.

This person now has at least 5% of Nike shares in her hands, and her goal is to acquire these shares.

There are not enough chips in the market now, and they are all captured by Nike and these giants. Without these chips, she will not be able to complete the acquisition.

"Miss Lindsay, Nike's highest price is US$135, and the stock price before the acquisition was US$40. If you want it, we can give you a discount and settle the deal for US$100." Morris exchanged glances with the other three before answering. Lindsay said tired.

"100?"

Lindsay smiled mockingly and said with confidence: "From last year to now, the Storm Fund's return rate has been the highest in the world, whether it is venture capital or steady investment.

As long as I want, I can easily raise tens of billions of dollars, or even more, at any time. A lot of European funds want to enter the Storm Fund, not to mention American funds, and a lot of small investment brokers on Wall Street want to Take refuge in me, including some of your investment clients.

Perhaps, I should accept some funds with a purpose? "

Maurice frowned, feeling that he was looking down on this little girl.

They now hold a large amount of Nike chips in their hands, but their use of funds comes at a cost. If Lindsay keeps holding on to the stock price, their chips cannot be cashed in. Once Lindsay relaxes the capital restrictions, they will take away their customers. Part of it, then once their capital chain is tense or even broken, they will be forced to sell the Nike chips in their hands at a low price.

Maybe they could team up and go toe-to-toe with Lindsay, but without a sufficient rate of return, their clients would probably switch to Storm Fund, and the result would be the same.

They know very well that talented investors like Lindsay cannot be offended easily, otherwise they may be tricked to death if they are set up one day.

Lindsay's last words just now were an absolute threat.

If they and Lindsay get into trouble this time, they might really be tricked and their heads will be broken.

The four people discussed it, and finally Maurice said: "Miss Lindsay, the four of us have a total of 15% of the Nike chips, and we can give them all to you. The transaction price is $65, which is our bottom line."

Lindsay began to consider whether to accept the transaction price.

Compared with the current stock price of US$60, it is certainly very high, more than three times, but compared with the US$40 before the acquisition, it is only a 50% premium.

Moreover, the current stock price is the result of their joint efforts to suppress it, and you certainly cannot trade with this stock price.

She estimated that the price of the chips for the four people should be around 50 US dollars. If the transaction was completed at 60 US dollars, the four people would make a 20% profit.

The Storm Fund now has 25% of the chips in its hands. Because of its early layout and repeated cost amortization during this period, the average cost is US$35. If you buy 15% of the chips for US$60, the overall cost of the chips is about US$42. .

The cost of completing the acquisition can be controlled at US$40 before the acquisition, which means that Storm Fund completed the acquisition at almost no cost.

"So……"

She knocked on the table and said with a smile: "...deal."

"Very good!"

The four Maurices were overjoyed.

They hold a total of 55 million shares of Nike stock. From this transaction, they can make a profit of nearly US$600 million.

In just half a month, with such a high rate of return, they were worthy of following Miss Lindsay’s lead.

"Miss Lindsay, after acquiring Nike, Adidas will not be far behind, right?" Morris tentatively asked.

"Adi? Let's talk about it later." Lindsay said noncommittally.

The reason why Nike was chosen was mainly because Nike was the force most likely to murder Zhao Dong, but Adi was not chosen because Adi was a German company, and 90% of the funds in her hands were European funds.

But it is impossible for her to say this reason, otherwise she will easily be boycotted by Wall Street. By then, no matter how strong the Storm Fund is, it will be finished.

The next morning, a piece of news shocked the relevant circles.

Storm Fund announced that it had acquired Nike stocks from several investment funds such as Morris, and together with its own chips, it owned a total of 40% of Nike shares, surpassing other holders, and officially became the largest shareholder of Nike.

This acquisition is the first acquisition by Storm Fund.

A huge amount of funds of more than 5 billion US dollars was used, with an average cost of 42.5 US dollars. The acquisition cost was so low that there was almost no premium and no additional costs.

Therefore, this acquisition was extremely successful. As soon as the news was announced, the reputation of Storm Fund on Wall Street went to a higher level.

"It's over!"

At Nike headquarters, President Philip Knight slumped in the executive chair.

He only holds 7.5% of the stocks, and including the entire Knight family, it is only 17%. Plus what he can influence, the maximum is only 32%, which is far lower than the share of Storm Fund, and his position as president and chairman of the board. , is about to change ownership, and Nike is about to change.

"You shouldn't provoke Feilong and Lindsay!" He could only sigh.

In Chicago, Jordan was also stunned.

"You are so poisonous! You are so poisonous!"

Miss Lindsay did not acquire the Bulls, but now she has acquired Nike. This woman looks like an angel, but why is she so vicious?

That afternoon, a group of people arrived at the Nike headquarters, headed by Lindsay and Zhao Dong, followed by a large number of bodyguards and subordinates, as well as their large team of lawyers, totaling sixty or seventy people.

"Don't come near."

They took several elevators up to Nike's floor. Nike's security personnel tried to stop them, but they were blocked by their bodyguards. Lindsay and Zhao Dong continued to lead the group forward.

"Back off."

John Lex, the most famous barrister in New York, walked out of the crowd and said seriously to the security and Nike staff:

"I am John Lex Barrister, and I am now officially informing you that your boss has changed. This Miss Lindsay will be the new boss of Nike."

"..."

Everyone at Nike looked at each other.

"boom!"

The door to Philip Knight's office was pushed open by one of Lindsay's men.

Lindsay, Zhao Dong and others and several barristers walked in. Philip Knight's beautiful female assistant followed behind, somewhat at a loss, but she didn't know what to do.

"Miss Lindsay?"

Philip Knight looked at Lindsay blankly. It was this girl who had easily taken away his life's hard work. She was a devil in the appearance of an angel.

At five o'clock in the afternoon that day, Nike announced a change of ownership. Storm Fund took over Nike and became Nike's major shareholder. Nike announced that it would hold a shareholders' meeting on the 16th.

"boom!"

In Chicago, Jordan had just returned home and was about to drive to pick up his children. When he got the news, he kicked the car door angrily, and the door of the luxurious Ferrari suddenly deflated.

"Nike's change of ownership is likely to trigger a major reshuffle of sporting goods around the world." New York Times.

"Miss Lindsay, the president of Storm Fund, once said in public that she wanted to break up Nike. Will other shareholders of Nike allow it?" New York Business News.

The next day, countless media reported the news of Nike's change of ownership.

As a major sponsor of the NBA, 42% of the current NBA players are contract players with Nike. Nike's change of ownership naturally caused turmoil in the NBA.

At the same time, several companies such as Adidas have also begun to contact some funds they recognize, introduce them to the board of directors, and then use these funds to continue to repurchase stocks to avoid becoming the next target of the Storm Fund.

"Feilong, I want to talk to you and your wife, is that okay?" Stern immediately called Zhao Dong personally.

When Lindsay joined Nike, Stern was certainly worried that Lindsay would use Nike to build a super lineup for the Knicks.

But he thought too much. Even if Lindsay wanted to, Zhao Dong would not agree. He didn't want to share a ball with others.

"Mr. Stern, I wonder what you are worried about?" Zhao Dong asked on the phone.

"Feilong, last time I stopped the Lakers from trading the Postman, you know what I'm talking about." Stern said.

"Please rest assured, Mr. Stern, the Storm Fund will never interfere in league affairs through Nike. I can guarantee this." Zhao Dong smiled.

Stern pondered for a moment. He was a little worried about Zhao Dong's influence on Lindsay. What if Zhao Dong was a softie as rumored?

"you do not believe me?"

Zhao Dong said unhappily: "Okay then, I'll let Lindsay tell you personally."

"Aiweier, tell him, this old man doesn't believe me."

After talking, he called Lindsay, who called Stern.

"Hello, Mr. Stern, I am Mr. Zhao Dong's wife, April Lindsay."

"Miss Lindsay, this is David Stern, glad to receive your call."

"Just now my husband complained that you didn't believe him, saying that you were worried about the Storm Foundation's interference in alliance affairs. Now let me tell you, Mr. Stern, my husband is everything to me. He said one, and I won't say two. "

"I can only say thank you, Miss Lindsay, and wish you and Feilong all the best." Stern hung up the phone with satisfaction.

At 5 pm on the 14th, NBA labor and management reached an agreement on the luxury tax and soft salary cap, which also symbolizes that a new labor agreement is about to be reached.

After the meeting, James Dowland found Stern, and the two came to Stern's office to talk.

"David, I talked to you last time. We hope that Feilong will get the same salary as Jordan. We hope to take additional subsidies to make up for the contract. What do you think?" Dolan said.

"James, I'm afraid I can't do that this time. The agreement is about to be reached, and I don't want to cause any further complications."

Stern thought about it for a moment before speaking.

"What should we do? Do you think Feilong will still play for the NBA with an annual salary of two to three million? He made hundreds of millions of dollars from his boxing match with Tyson. You know this. So, David, don't compare him to Pushing outward, we cannot afford to lose.”

James Dowland said seriously.

"I know that."

Stern nodded and said, "I have been thinking about this issue these days."

"Then what are you going to do? If the Knicks can't keep him, other teams won't be able to keep him. The same annual salary as Jordan is actually nothing to him, but we can't use his love for basketball as the low price we give him. Reason for salary." Daolan said.

Stern nodded and said: "Let's do this, you give a contract lower than Jordan's, pay part of the luxury tax to the league, and I allow you to make up for the other parts in other ways, so that you can also explain to other teams. "

Daolan laughed and said helplessly: "This will increase our expenses."

But he still nodded and agreed to this method.

That night, the Knicks management and owner James Dowland held an emergency meeting.

In addition, Zhao Dong's agent Ringo Wells was also invited to participate in the meeting.

There was only one topic at the meeting, how to sign Zhao Dong.

Grant said: "Larry Johnson's contract is US$10.19 million, Madman's contract is US$8.3 million, and others' contracts are not high. The total of all players with established contracts is US$27.2 million."

Having said that, he extremely regrets trading Larry Johnson, which is one of the stains on his career.

"Nyle, what are you going to do?" James Dowland asked.

"Boss, I'm going to buy out Larry Johnson and make room for 10 million."

Grant said decisively: "This way our total salary is 17.01 million U.S. dollars, and we can use the annual salary of 10 million to sign Feilong.

Of course, the league requires us to pay part of the luxury tax. I think we can give Feilong a contract of 15 million US dollars, so that we only need to pay 5 million US dollars in luxury tax. "

"5 million? I'm afraid other teams won't be satisfied." someone said.

At ten o'clock, the meeting ends.

Wells informed Zhao Dong of the relevant news, and Zhao Dong immediately called Larry Johnson.

"Hey, Fei Long."

"Larry, do you know the news?"

"The management has just informed me that I will negotiate with my agent tomorrow morning," Larry Johnson said.

"What are you going to do?" Zhao Dong asked.

"I haven't thought about it. Maybe I will sign back to the Knicks with a minimum salary. Do you welcome it?" Larry Johnson said jokingly, his mood was still good.

"Of course, let's create a dynasty together this year." Zhao Dong said with a smile.

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