Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 498 Boring Negotiations

Aaron truly couldn't understand how a film like "As Good As It Gets" could achieve such success.

While the film "The Bridges of Madison County" features two elderly characters, Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, having an affair, the movie is still touching.
Moreover, The Bridges of Madison County's global box office was only a little over 100 million US dollars, which is acceptable. However, the currently released film As Good as it gets has received much better reviews and higher box office than The Bridges of Madison County!

"By the way, is the script adaptation for 'The Sixth Sense' finished yet?"

Aaron was too lazy to think about it. Nowadays, all the good romance movies are morally questionable, like "Titanic," where a rich girl fiancé goes on a date with a poor guy right in front of her fiancé.
Ethelyn Beckett shook her head. "Writer and director M. Night Shyamalan said he himself hasn't figured out where the story is headed yet."

"They're still revising the script!"

Aaron rubbed his temples. "The main focus of the psychological drama and the plot twist at the end are the highlights; the rest isn't that important."

"Let them speed things up; the script is already excellent enough."

Etherine Beckett nodded. "Also, when M. Night Shyamalan was writing the script, he wanted Bruce Willis to play the male lead."

"M. Night Shyamalan is a newcomer. If Bruce Willis were to star in it, even with a post-production profit-sharing arrangement, the upfront payment wouldn't be reduced by much!"

Aaron's eyelids twitched. He remembered that Bruce Willis had signed a contract for this movie with a 50% upfront payment plus a share of the profits later.

As a result, the movie was a huge hit, and Bruce Willis earned over $1 million from it.

"I have high hopes for the script of 'The Sixth Sense,' and Bruce Willis is currently very famous."

"Dawn can afford the $2000 million salary. We can just increase the film's production budget by $1000 million."

Aaron wouldn't let Bruce Willis rake in huge profits from this movie; he can afford the top-tier salary of $2000 million.
Just like back then, didn't Forrest Gump increase its budget by $500 million?
"Uh, the original budget for 'The Sixth Sense' was $4000 million, and now it's been increased to $5000 million?"

Etherine Beckett asked somewhat uncertainly, after all, M. Night Shyamalan was really a new director!

Aaron nodded. "That's it..."

Aaron also made a special trip to New York for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game held at Madison Square Garden.
Of course, Aaron wasn't interested in Michael Jordan's last All-Star game; his main purpose was to participate in the new round of collective bargaining negotiations in the NBA!

The current president of the NBA Players Association is Patrick Ewing, the star player of the New York Knicks, and the vice president is Shaquille O'Neal, the star player of the Houston Rockets.

This is because the six-year agreement signed by the labor and management in September 1995 contained a termination clause: if the proportion of basketball-related revenue (BRI) used for player salaries exceeds 51.8%, the owner can renegotiate the agreement after three years.

In 1997–1998, player salaries accounted for 57% of the BRI, far exceeding the stipulated 48% and the suspension clause's 51.8% limit. More importantly, 15 of the league's 29 teams were operating at a loss!
Of the 29 teams in the NBA, 23 owners have opted to exercise the suspension clause, and a new round of collective bargaining negotiations will be held this year.
The focus of the negotiations remains on salary cap regulations and maximum player contracts!

In fact, during the first round of negotiations, a representative of the Eastern Conference even proposed that the NBA abolish the Eastern and Western Conferences or reorganize the teams in the East and West.

One of his reasons was the significant loss of star players from the Eastern Conference, leading to an imbalance of power between the two conferences. Of course, this suggestion was quickly rejected, as the current gap in strength between the East and West is not irreconcilable.

It's worth noting that in recent years, apart from the Houston Rockets winning two championships, the Chicago Bulls in the East have won five.

As for Michael Jordan retiring after this season, new talents will emerge!
“It’s really boring,” Aaron thought. After attending one meeting between the representatives of both sides, he couldn’t be bothered to get involved with them anymore.
The Houston Rockets have a profitable business model, but their greed cannot be ignored.

"Kobe Bryant is also selected; Lakers fans are really supportive!"

In Aaron's villa on the Upper East Side, Aaron smiled as he sat on the sofa with Jennifer Connelly in his arms, watching the live broadcast on TV.

Kobe Bryant is currently only a second-year rookie. Although he is performing well, he is definitely not quite an All-Star. However, he is highly valued by the Lakers!

Jennifer Connelly grinned and kissed Aaron on the cheek. "But Bryant Kobe's playing style was very entertaining, attracting a huge number of fans and admirers."

"In addition, the Lakers have a huge fan base, so it's not surprising that he was selected as an All-Star."

Jennifer Connelly had just finished filming "Chicago" with Catherine Zeta-Jones and came over to keep Aaron company!

Aaron nuzzled Jennifer Connelly's face and stroked her thigh. "Hmm, guards are way more popular than centers these days."

"Last year, our Houston Rockets drafted Tracy McGrady, a highly talented high school player who was also ranked number one in the nation;"

"I believe he will soon be able to demonstrate his value and strength."

Shaquille O'Neal and Tracy McGrady—just thinking about that combination is exciting!
Jennifer Connelly nodded. "The Rockets are indeed very strong right now."

Aaron reached inside Jennifer Connelly's shirt, touched her 34D breasts, and whispered in her ear, "Because the Timberwolves and Kevin Garnett signed a massive 6-year, $1.26 million contract extension."

"This has terrified most of the owners in the league. They've decided that if negotiations fail, the league will immediately shut down after the season ends!"

“Hmm,” Jennifer Connelly put her arm around Aaron’s neck, “it seems the investors won’t back down this time.”

Aaron smiled, "No way, we'll fight to the bitter end. This summer, the rookies from the '96 draft class will be negotiating contract extensions."

"Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Stephon Marbury, and Kobe Bryant all looked up to Kevin Garnett!"

“Hiss,” Jennifer Connelly gasped. “Not many teams can afford that, can they?”

However, getting the players to back down is no easy task!
"It doesn't matter anymore. After the shutdown, the problems still need to be solved..."

(End of this chapter)