The NBA's Absolute Dominance

Chapter 206 Everything is Business

Tang Bei spent a few days in New York, signing some endorsement contracts and filming some commercials.

Some are original brands that only signed a one-year contract and are now renewing it, while others are new brand ambassadors.

He hasn't been in a fight for a long time, and he rarely injures opponents anymore. His violent tendencies are fading, and some brands are no longer renewing their contracts with him.

But after successfully defending his championship title and putting up outstanding stats in the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals, he has attracted more and more brands to endorse him, and the quality of those brands has also improved.

On June 20, Eric Fleischer approached him and said, "Don, President Billy Cunningham said he wants to discuss an early contract extension after the draft."

Tang Bei asked, "Didn't he say how big the contract would be?"

Eric Fleischer said, "I asked him, and he gave me some data, saying that David Robinson's contract for next season is $770 million, and the management will refer to David Robinson's contract, but it will be a bit higher than that."

“770 million? Eric, what do you think?” Tang Bei asked.

Eric Fleischer said, "Don, you qualify for the full Bird clause, you can be renewed even if you're over the salary cap, and you can sign any contract you want next."

"With your ability and two consecutive championships, you should definitely get a contract that's a level above David Robinson's, not just a little higher, but at least a multi-million dollar annual salary."

"The Spurs, a small market team, were willing to offer the Admiral such a big contract. The Heat's contract is too small. That's disrespectful to you."

"A multi-million dollar annual salary?"

Tang Bei was also quite tempted by the multi-million dollar annual salary, considering that the salary cap for the 1994/95 season was only 16 million US dollars.

He had only been in the league for three seasons when he won two consecutive championships, and he believed he deserved the highest contract in the league.

Eric Fleischer nodded and smiled, saying, "Yes, we can absolutely ask for a contract with a multi-million dollar annual salary."

He then added, "But in my opinion, the Heat don't need to wait until the new salary cap comes out before talking to us about an early contract extension. That's not sincere enough."

"Their most sincere approach would be to simply forgo the final year of your contract and start a new one, so you can earn a multi-million dollar salary next season."

"Fine, it's the last year, let the team do it," Tang Bei said.

He only has a contract worth a little over four million next season, which is less than one of his current endorsements. But a contract is a contract, and once signed, it must be accepted. The team chose to proceed, and he had no objection.

Eric Fleischer nodded and said, "They're not talking about it now, probably to control costs. I don't think management would offer you a contract with an annual salary of over ten million."

Tang Bei nodded. He wasn't really interested in an early contract extension, but it would show that the team valued him, so he wasn't opposed to it.

Miami is where his professional basketball career began, and it was also where he met Gabor. He loves the city and would be willing to stay there for his entire career.

Mutual respect is essential, and the contract is the most direct manifestation of the Heat's respect for him. To talk about respect without considering the contract is simply being dishonest.

The concept of one person defending one city is still quite popular among top NBA stars, but he is not American, and he is not even from a basketball background.

He didn't feel strongly about this idea and believed that he had no need to be loyal to a city in the United States.

Eric Fleischer said, "But it's good this way. Ewing's contract is over. Let's see how the Knicks re-sign him."

"In addition, Michael Jordan's contract also expires next year, and I heard that he is also in talks to extend it early. We can take a look at his contract extension."

"Surely we can negotiate an annual salary of ten million?" Tang Bei asked.

“That should be fine,” Eric Fleischer said.

"By the way, Tang..."

He added, "The first round of negotiations for the new NBA collective bargaining agreement has just ended, and it did not go smoothly; no agreement was reached."

"Is there anything that wasn't agreed upon?" Tang Bei asked.

Eric Fleischer said, "It's mainly a player salary issue. Owners think player salaries are too high and want to reduce the proportion of player salaries in the league's revenue."

At this point, he added cautiously, "I heard that the Lakers' owners have raised the issue of introducing a luxury tax to limit star players' salaries. Many owners agree, but the union has not, which is one of the main reasons why the negotiations failed."

"Luxury tax?" Tang Bei was taken aback.

Eric Fleischer explained: "It means that once a team exceeds the salary cap, it can invoke certain rules to sign players above the salary cap, such as the Bird exception, injury regulations, etc., but the excess amount must be paid to the league in luxury tax."

Tang Bei understood immediately: this was to restrict wealthy teams from using their financial advantage to sign players.

Speaking of Jordan, news of his contract extension immediately appeared, and Eric Fleischer quickly received a message from a familiar reporter.

He was stunned when he heard the contract amount.

"What's wrong?" Tang Bei asked.

Eric Fleischer said blankly, "The Bulls didn't agree to a three-year, $75 million deal. The news was leaked by Jordan's agent, David Falsey."

"..." Tang Bei was also stunned.

Eric Fleischer was somewhat embarrassed. He had wanted to negotiate a multi-million dollar contract for Tang Bei, but Jordan's side had already offered 75 million over three years. The difference was too great, making him seem very unprofessional.

He said decisively, "Tang, Jordan has been eliminated by you for two consecutive years. You are more than ten years younger than him and deserve a higher contract. We should at least offer a contract like that."

"OK!"

Tang Bei naturally agreed. He not only beat Jordan for two consecutive years, but his stats were also better than Jordan's. How could he possibly be willing to take a lower contract than Jordan?
Eric Fleischer wasn't the only one to receive the news; it was David Falk who intentionally leaked it to the media.

He hopes to force the Bulls to make a decision quickly: either give Michael a super contract or decide to trade him.

So the news quickly spread throughout the entire league and the entire United States.

Upon receiving the news, Heat president Billy Cunningham and owner Arison, along with other management, knew they were in trouble; future contract renewal negotiations with Tang Bei would be difficult.

No one—whether it's owner Allison, Cunningham, or Shaffer—believes Tang Bei would accept a lower contract than Jordan.

Mickey Arison stated directly, "The salary cap for next season might not even be $2500 million, and I will absolutely not accept such a high annual salary."

Having already won two consecutive championships, his passion for the title has greatly diminished. And as a pure businessman, he has not used his own money to satisfy the players' insatiable greed.

Of course, he also hopes for a three-peat, but not by investing unlimited resources. His goal in running the team is to make money, not to help Tang Bei make money.

"The average annual salary should not exceed $1500 million."

However, Tang Bei brought the Heat two consecutive championships and had a huge influence, so after careful consideration, he gave his bottom line.

Lewis Shaffer said, "Boss, if we can't reach a contract extension, Don will likely leave after next season, and we won't even get a sign-and-trade opportunity."

"If we trade now, given Tang's current trade value, we could get at least five first-round draft picks."

"Five?"

Mickey Arison was somewhat tempted.

He stared at Shafir and asked, "Is there really no way to sign-and-trade next season?"

Lewis Shaffer shook his head and said, "Regardless of whether we can achieve a three-peat next season, unless Tang is seriously injured, his trade value is enormous, just as Billy said, at least five first-round draft picks."

At this point, he changed the subject, saying, "But is Tang really willing to use a 'sign first, exchange later' approach to drain his next client's resources?"

"That's five draft picks. His next team will definitely have to pay a huge price to get so many draft picks."

Micky Arison's face darkened. It was indeed impossible. The Heat were unwilling to offer Tang Bei a super contract, so why would Tang Bei be willing to empty his pockets for the Heat and join another team?

Billy Cunningham remained inclined to keep Tang Bei, urging, "Boss, Tang is one of a kind. The Hornets traded him back then and still regret it. We should keep him."

Mickey Arison said coldly, "Billy, if he can accept an average annual salary of $1500 million, I'll definitely keep him. But if he's too greedy, how can I keep him?"

"Now that the league is preparing to introduce a luxury tax, for every additional $2000 million in salary I pay, I will have to pay an additional $2000 million in luxury tax. Who will pay for this?"

Billy Cunningham said, "But Bosh, Don also brings benefits to the team, enough to cover his salary and the potential luxury tax."

Mickey Arison was very unhappy with Billy Cunningham, who felt that Arison was treating his money like it was falling from the sky. He asked, "Are you Don's agent or the Heat's president of basketball operations?"

In fact, he has always been dissatisfied with Cunningham's management skills. In theory, the Heat should have made a lot of money since winning two consecutive championships, but in reality, due to insufficient management, the team did not make much money, far less than the Bulls who did not win a championship.

In addition, the management's bias towards Tang Bei during Game 4 of the finals also made him dissatisfied with Cunningham.

As the owner of the Heat, he actually doesn't want to see a player with a higher status than him.

Of course, this was after winning two consecutive championships, and his desire for the title was not as strong as before.

In the past, no matter how high Tang Bei's status was with the Heat, he would not have had such thoughts.

He stared at Cunningham and said in a cold tone, "Billy, we already have two championships. Even if we didn't, I wouldn't recklessly invest in that stuff. It's all business, you understand?"

"clear."

Billy Cunningham paused for a moment and then nodded.

After discussion, the management team decided to wait for news from the Bulls before deciding how to negotiate with Tang Bei.

On this day, Jia Bao and Tang Bei boarded a chartered plane from New York to Hong Kong.

Accompanying them were four personal maids and four bodyguards. With so many people and so much luggage, they simply spent several hundred thousand dollars to charter a plane.

There's not much else going on this summer. The Nemurs are handling the investments, and Tang Bei doesn't have any national team matches. The two of them have planned to have some fun and relax.

Let's start by having fun in Hong Kong. Besides, Tang Bei also has to participate in business activities for two brands he endorses in Hong Kong, each costing one million US dollars. Since he's going to Hong Kong anyway, why not make some money?

The second stop was Macau, then a trip around Southeast Asia, followed by Xishuangbanna, Guilin, Jiuzhaigou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, and finally back to Beijing.

At 3 p.m. on the 22nd, the plane arrived at Kai Tak International Airport in Hong Kong.

The Peninsula Hotel was booked, and the hotel sent several cars to pick Tang Bei up from the airport. Tang Bei was given a Mercedes-Benz W140S.

Although no media were notified, Tang Bei's height and face were a signal. In Hong Kong, where paparazzi are everywhere, he was spotted by some paparazzi who wait for celebrities at the airport all day long as he walked out of the VIP channel.

"Wow, Tang Bei, he actually came to Hong Kong."

“That’s Elena Garbo, the owner of the Seven Star Ruby wedding ring.”

"I've struck it rich today."

A group of paparazzi rushed forward excitedly, only to be stopped by four bodyguards.

Tang Bei gave a perfunctory reply, hurriedly got into his car and left the airport, but news of his arrival in Hong Kong quickly spread throughout the city.

Chen Long only returned to Hong Kong today; he was in Tokyo yesterday filming Thunderbolt.

This racing blockbuster was a turning point for Chen Long and Chen Jiashang, and the investment kept increasing, eventually reaching a total of HK$200 million from Jiahe.

Because the film was scheduled for release during the summer season, the filming was very rushed. The production was divided into seven film crews, which filmed in four locations: Tokyo and Sendai, New York, and Los Angeles. The film was co-directed by five directors: Chan Ka-sang, Hung Ching-pao, Tong Ki-lai, Corey Yuen, and Frankie Chan.

The main creators were basically aware that this film, which was changed from a tragedy to a comedy and combined action and racing elements, had a terrible script and would probably struggle to recoup its costs through box office revenue.

When he received the news that Tang Bei had arrived in Hong Kong, he was having a gathering with Hong Jingbao, Yuan Biao, Yuan Hua, Lin Guobing, Lu Huiguang, Mei Yanfang, Zeng Zhiwei and others in a hotel bar.

"Perfect timing, let's invite him to dinner."

He immediately decided to treat everyone to a meal, hoping to build a better relationship first.

Hung Ching-po said with some dissatisfaction, "Ah Lung, last time we went to Los Angeles to see him challenge the dojo, I felt that his attitude towards us was so-so. You are a big star in Asia, do you need to curry favor with him?"

“Exactly, brother, is this really necessary?” Zeng Zhiwei chimed in.

Yuan Biao nudged Hong Jingbao with his elbow and gave him a wink, signaling him to stop talking.

He knew that Jackie Chan was obsessed with breaking into Hollywood, and hoped that the US premiere of Rumble in the Bronx would attract more attention.

Chen Long laughed and said, "Brother, he's not in our line of work. He's the world's number one basketball player now. Even Jordan isn't his match. He swept the championship. What kind of attitude do you expect from him towards us?"

He then added, "In developed countries like the United States, sports stars have a very high social status, especially top sports superstars who have a world-class influence, even higher than top Hollywood stars."

"Go if you want, I'm not going."

Hung Ching-po has filmed several movies in mainland China, and it's always been mainlanders who fawn over him. Now, the most famous guy among their group of brothers is going to curry favor with a mainlander. It just doesn't feel right. "I'm not going either," Tsang Chi-wai said.

"Alright, then you don't need to go."

Chen Long didn't want these guys to go; their social statuses were too different. These kinds of dinners were for building relationships and were formal social events, not just for making up numbers.

At that moment, the bar's TVB broadcast a news item: Tang Bei, the global spokesperson for Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Company, would be attending a business event for the brand in Hong Kong at 10:00 AM on the 23rd.

Meanwhile, the insurance company will hold a party for Tang Bei at the Peninsula Hotel on the evening of the 23rd, and many Hong Kong stars will be invited to attend.

"Is this insurance company very big?" Hong Jingbao asked.

“It’s a world-class company; it should be number one in market capitalization in the US, and one of the top insurance companies in the world,” Yuan Biao said.

"A global spokesperson, given Tang Bei's current status, would be worth five to eight million US dollars a year," Chen Long said.

"so tall?"

Mui Yen-fong was extremely surprised. She had been in the entertainment industry for so long and had only saved a little over ten million Hong Kong dollars. It was simply incomparable.

The others were even more surprised, their mouths agape.

Chen Long said, "The endorsement fee I just signed for Aido VCD is 450 million for two years, but it's not in US dollars, it's in RMB. That's the price of a world-class sports superstar."

"Last time he made a cameo appearance in True Lies, he received a $1000 million salary for ten minutes of screen time, plus a 2% share of the worldwide box office revenue, plus a $100 million salary for the martial arts choreography, and in the end he got close to $1700 million. That's the kind of status people have."

"$1700 million in 10 minutes?" Everyone was stunned.

Hung Ching-po finally understood why Chen Lung was so eager to break into Hollywood. Without making it into Hollywood, he would never be a world-class superstar, because the difference in commercial value was too great.

Then another news report came on: Tang Bei would be attending a business event for McDonald's, the global brand he endorses, at 9 a.m. on the 24th. The brand would also be hosting a grand party for Tang Bei that evening, and would invite many celebrities to attend.

At four o'clock, after checking into the presidential suite at the Peninsula Hotel, Tang Bei was about to go to the gym to work out when he received a call from Chen Long.

He had little interest in Hollywood and even less interest in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, so he never contacted Chen Long and had only met Chen Long once; they were not familiar with each other.

Chen Long did contact him several times, from his first All-Star start to winning the championship last year, and this time defending his title, Chen Long called to congratulate him.

In addition, Chen Long also sent him a DVD of Rumble in the Bronx. The movie was released in Asia in January of this year, but has not yet been released in the United States.

"Hello, Mr. Chen," he said politely as the call connected.

Chen Long said politely, "Master Tang, hello, hello. I didn't know you were coming to Hong Kong. I'm sorry I couldn't pick you up at the airport."

"You're too kind, Master Chen," Tang Bei said politely.

Chen Long then said, "Master Tang, how about I give you and your wife a chance to have dinner tonight?"

"Isn't that too much trouble?" Tang Bei said politely.

"It's nothing, we're all friends, it's just a meal," Chen Long said with a smile.

Once they arrived at their place, Tang Bei felt it would be impolite to refuse any longer, so he said, "Then I'll be bothering you."

Chen Long said happily, "Okay, I'll make a reservation right away. What do you think of the Peninsula Hotel? I saw in the media that you're staying there."

Tang Bei said, "Master Chen, how about we go to another place, somewhere with more Hong Kong characteristics?"

Chen Long hurriedly said, "Sure, sure, let's go to Tsim Sha Tsui. They have Beijing cuisine and Shanghai cuisine there. Oh, right, how about we go to a seafood restaurant?"

"A seafood restaurant?"

Tang Bei had never heard of it, so Chen Long immediately explained, "There are three major seafood restaurants in Hong Kong, all of which serve boat cuisine, meaning you eat on a boat. What do you think?"

Tang Bei said, "I think it's pretty good, let's eat at the seafood restaurant then."

Chen Long said, "Okay, I'll make a reservation right away. It'll be more lively if we invite a few more friends to join us. What do you think?"

"it is good."

"I'll drive over and pick you up once I've sorted it out."

"It's troublesome."

After chatting for a few more minutes, he hung up the phone and said, "Jiabao, Chen Long is treating us to dinner. He's very hospitable, and I can't refuse."

"Wet Tiger, is a seafood barge like a luxury cruise ship? What's its tonnage?"

Jia Bao had watched some Hong Kong kung fu and martial arts movies with Tang Bei and knew about Chen Long.

Tang Bei guessed, "I don't know how big it is. It's just a ship for eating, so it can't possibly be tens of thousands of tons, right? Maybe a few thousand tons?"

Garbo said, "His Rumble in the Bronx was good, but it's a pity there's no kendo, so it's not fun."

Tang Bei said, "Rumble in the Bronx will be released in North America next January. They told me last year before filming started that they wanted to invite me to the premiere. Premieres are usually held in Los Angeles or New York, so I don't think I'll have time."

Garbo said, "Not necessarily. Houston, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, these cities have all hosted premieres. Just pick a big city based on your schedule. I think Miami is also good."

Tang Bei said, "That's fine. We'll talk about it when we eat later."

Chen Long personally called to reserve a table, choosing the Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

The owner of this seafood restaurant is Mr. Ho, a big boss from Macau. Of course, he contacted Mr. Ho Pak-tao, the general manager of Jumbo Seafood Restaurant.

It was almost dinner time, and seats were very scarce, but given his connections, reserving a table shouldn't be a problem.

"Mr. He, I'm hosting a banquet for distinguished guests tonight. Please do me the honor and bring out all your finest ingredients. If you have one abalone, you don't need two..."

After hanging up the phone, he said to Mei Yanfang, "Afang, you're the leading lady of the Red Bronze Zone, so you definitely have to go. You and Lin Fengjiao will be in charge of entertaining Tang Bei's wife."

"Okay," Mei Yanfang nodded.

"Hey Director Tang..."

Chen Long called Tang Jili again, asking him to drive over and reminding him to drive a nice car.

"Me, Lin Fengjiao, Afang, Director Tang, that's four already. Who else should we invite?"

He counted the number of people on his fingers; it couldn't be too few, as that would be impolite, nor could it be too many, as that would seem like he was just trying to make up the numbers.

If it were just Tang Bei alone, he would definitely invite a few of Hong Kong's most beautiful actresses to treat Tang Bei to a good meal.

Lin Guobing and Lu Huiguang said at the same time, "Big brother, count me in."

Just as Yuan Hua and the others opened their mouths to speak, Zeng Zhiwei raised his hand and shouted in a shrill voice, "Big brother, I'm going too! Count me in!"

"You can't do it," Chen Long hurriedly said.

"Why can't I do it?" Zeng Zhiwei was dumbfounded.

Hong Jingbao said irritably, "Didn't you say you weren't going?"

"I?"

The beast withered wished he could slap himself in the face.

"Big brother, are you really not going?" Chen Long asked Hong Jingbao.

"I……"

Hong Jingbao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Count me in."

Yuan Hua and the others wanted to laugh, but dared not, their faces turning red from holding it in.

"Count me in?" Zeng Zhi pleaded shamelessly.

"You'd better forget it."

Chen Long thought about Zeng Zhiwei's lecherous nature, and if he looked at Tang Bei's wife too much, he might get beaten to death.

Zeng Zhi said sullenly, "Fine, I won't go then. Don't ever say we're brothers again."

"You were the one who said you weren't going first, and now you're blaming me?"

Chen Long ignored Zeng Zhiwei and thought for a moment before saying, "Let's call Li Ming. He's from the mainland, so he might have something in common with Tang Bei."

Yuan Biao said with dissatisfaction, "Call someone else, Chen Long. Can't you see me sitting here? Are you trying to embarrass me because you think I'm not a big shot?"

"You and I?"

Chen Long laughed awkwardly.

"Ha ha……"

Yuan Hua and the others all laughed.

"Then count you in," Chen Long said helplessly.

"Damn it, I'm not going."

Yuan Biao turned his face away in anger and said disdainfully.

"So are you going or not? Brother, I'm in a hurry, don't delay me." Chen Long said anxiously.

"Go ahead, I'll give you face," Yuan Biao said, knowing when to stop.

"I'm scared of you," Chen Long said angrily.

He then called Li Ming and invited him to be his companion.

Since 1993, Li Ming has been working with UNICEF to launch the campaign to eradicate polio, raising funds for 80 million children in mainland China. He has held more than 80 concerts and numerous charity sales, raising more than two million US dollars. He is still one million short. He is currently not in Hong Kong.

"Fine, it'll just be the few of us then," Chen Long said helplessly.

Then he stood up and said, "Yuanbiao, come with me to Kowloon Tong first. We'll take those two Mitsubishi 3000GTs to pick up Mr. and Mrs. Tang Bei."

He has collaborated with Mitsubishi a lot. When filming Thunderbolt, all the cars were sponsored by Mitsubishi. These two 3000GTs are specially modified versions with a horsepower of up to 650. After filming, they belonged to him and were just transported back to Hong Kong and put into his private garage.

"OK, now it's my turn to have some fun."

Yuan Biao was overjoyed. Chen Long had too many luxury cars in his private garage, and these two 3000GTs were racing cars, which he had wanted to try out for a long time.

"Feng Jiao, I have arranged to have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Tang Bei. Please get ready."

As soon as Chen Long arrived home, he asked Yuan Biao to drive the car. He then told his wife, Lin Fengjiao, about the dinner party. Lin Fengjiao scolded him, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I need time to put on my makeup."

"I forgot, I forgot," Chen Long hurriedly replied.

"Do you want to go to the small house?" Lin Fengjiao asked again.

"Let's just let it go since the kids are making a fuss," Chen Long said.

"Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!"

Just then, he suddenly remembered something.

"What's wrong?" Lin Fengjiao asked hurriedly.

Chen Long said urgently, "There's no car!"

"Are there many people? Aren't all those luxury cars in the garage enough?" Lin Fengjiao asked.

Chen Long said urgently, "No, Tang Bei is so big, he can't fit in a regular car. Okay, go do your makeup, I'll figure out a car myself."

He made several phone calls but couldn't borrow a suitable car, so he quickly called the BMW dealership and asked them to send over a second-generation Range Rover as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)