Chapter 257 Acquisition of SuperSonics?

Author: Dong Wangyi

Chapter 257 Acquisition of SuperSonics?

In Seattle, Washington, Vice President Ballmer was playing golf at a golf course, accompanied by several executives and friends.

"Does any of you know what contract SuperSonics offered Tekken? I saw a lot of media discussing the possibility of Tekken going to the Lakers and Warriors. Why can't I see the media discussing the news that Tekken came to the SuperSonics?" he suddenly asked.

.

An executive immediately said: "Steve, as far as I know, the Sonics have contacted the Pistons and submitted a quotation."

"What was the result?" Ballmer asked.

The person said: "The Pistons wanted Gary Payton + Shawn Kemp, but the SuperSonics didn't agree, and then nothing happened."

"What?"

Ballmer was startled, stopped playing the ball, handed the club to the caddy, and asked the executive: "Is your news correct?"

"It's true, I have a friend who is the vice president of operations for the Sonics, and he told me." The executive said.

A friend of Ballmer, who is also a director of Microsoft, said at this time: "The SuperSonics were eliminated by the Suns in the Western Conference Finals with a score of 3 to 4. I think they think the lineup is good and don't want to make a big move, right?"

"Sean Kemp's dunk was so explosive. He and Gary Payton cooperated very well. The SuperSonics are currently selling very good tickets. Maybe this is why they are unwilling to dismantle the lineup." Someone said.

"I don't think Barry Ackley wants to take out the money. Iron Fist's next contract is not small and he won't be willing to part with it," someone said again.

"Steve, do you want the Sonics to trade Iron Fist?" a friend asked.

Ballmer smiled and said: "Bill and I played with him last year at the Golf Celebrity Charity Tournament in Los Angeles. He was a very good person. He won hundreds of thousands of dollars from Jordan and donated all of it.

I think the SuperSonics should trade him, because his ability can help the SuperSonics reach a higher level, and I mean reaching the Finals, not just reaching the Western Conference Finals."

"Steve, have you considered the ball market?" someone said.

Ballmer nodded, understanding what his friend meant.

The SuperSonics were the first professional team in Seattle, but over the years, Seattle has introduced many sports projects, including MLB's professional baseball team, NFL's professional football team, NHL's professional ice hockey team, and the four major sports leagues.

.

In comparison, the development of these later imported teams is better, and then there are the NCAA football and baseball teams, and the ice hockey team is also very competitive. The development of the SuperSonics in Seattle has lagged behind.

However, in recent years, because of the acquisition of Shawn Kemp, the ball market has improved. However, if Kemp is traded to the Pistons, the ball market will be difficult to predict. Although the Iron Fist is very strong, in terms of box office appeal, the Beast is low.

Pu's appeal should be a little bigger.

"I like basketball and am interested in investing in the Sonics."

After saying that, he added: "The super performance in the finals and the super performance against Jordan in the second round have proven that he is the kind of superstar who can perform super at critical moments. He is not a regular season superstar.

I think when he comes here, he will definitely make the SuperSonics a real championship-level team. As for the ball market, I think as long as there is a record, the ball market will definitely be there.

And I think Tekken’s style of play is also very good and very entertaining. If he is in Seattle, the market will definitely not be bad, and the Pistons’ attendance this season is good.”

Everyone was stunned. Why did Ballmer suddenly want to acquire the Sonics? Was he influenced by Paul Allen?

But they are not very surprised. Ballmer already likes basketball, and for him, acquiring a professional team from the four major sports leagues is not a big deal.

In fact, the reason why Ballmer wanted to acquire Supersonics was just an idea he had just had. He is in charge of Microsoft's sales business, and he has recently been thinking about the market development in China. It is a huge market, and he needs a

Suitable spokesperson, and Zhou Quan is undoubtedly the most suitable.

It would be best if the SuperSonics could trade Zhou Quan, but now that the SuperSonics are unwilling to trade, they would consider purchasing the team and bring Zhou Quan to Seattle themselves.

Of course, no matter where Zhou Quan plays, Microsoft can ask him to be a spokesperson, but coming to the SuperSonics is the best result. He actually wants to invest in a professional team and watch his own team play when he has nothing to do.

, is also a good leisure experience.

At this time, Supersonics headquarters was also holding a meeting about Zhou Quan.

A group of managers, centered on owner Barry Ackley, do not want to trade, but some managers want to trade Weekly.

General manager Bob Whitsitt single-handedly selected Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. He created the current SuperSonics lineup and made it to the Western Conference Finals this year. It has a bright future and he is confident in this lineup.

There will be a chance to compete for the championship.

However, he also hopes to get Iron Fist, believing that Iron Fist will make this team stronger, so he previously submitted a quotation to the Pistons.

But owner Barry Ackley expressed dissatisfaction with him and believed that he should not be involved in the Iron Fist deal.

He understood what the boss was thinking. The contract that Iron Fist wanted was too big, and the boss was unwilling to spend that much money. After all, it was a billion-dollar contract.

Moreover, the Pistons only need Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, and their purpose is very clear. With this pair of internal and external cores, plus Joe Dumars and Rodman, the Pistons will still be a championship-level team next season, and even more invincible.

.

At the same time, Sean Kemp can also help the Pistons stabilize and grow the market. The Pistons can use this transaction to resurrect and complete reconstruction.

In addition, both Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp are on rookie contracts, which helps the Pistons control costs.

Payton will only have an annual salary of 2.38 million next season, with a total of three years left on his contract, while Kemp also has two years left on his contract, worth 750,000 and 1 million respectively, which is shockingly cheap and very cost-effective.

It was impossible for him to let the Pistons complete such a super reconstruction, and coupled with the pressure from the boss, he suspended the transaction after the Pistons refused.

As the team owner, Barry Ackley has thought very clearly and rationally. The current lineup has already reached the Western Conference Finals. Why take the risk to trade Iron Fist and dismantle this team?

Moreover, this team is very popular with fans. Shawn Kemp has brought a lot of market opportunities to the SuperSonics, and he does not want to trade Rain Man.

More importantly, the contract that Iron Fist wanted was too big. He didn't want to spend so much money, a 100-million-yuan contract. Of course, when he purchased the team, it only cost more than 10 million U.S. dollars.

At this time, his assistant came in and said: "Boss, Mr. Chelsea, the personal assistant of Microsoft President Ballmer, just contacted me..."

"What's the matter?" Ackley asked immediately after being startled.

"He said Mr. Ballmer was interested in buying the team for $80 million."

Ackerley was stunned. It was so sudden. Why did Ballmer buy his team? At a price of 80 million, he was really tempted.

In the past two years, the SuperSonics' market has grown, and their record has been good. They have made the playoffs for three consecutive years, and this year they made it to the Western Conference Finals. Last year, the team only made it to the second round and did not make much money. But this year

With the income from the Western Conference Finals, he earned nearly 2 million US dollars.

However, there is a big gap between 2 million and 80 million. He spent 16 million US dollars to buy the team in 1983. Over the past ten years, it has only made some money this year. Fortunately, the value of the league has increased, and the team

It is also constantly appreciating. If you sell it at this time, you will make a good profit. Moreover, the price can definitely be negotiated. Ballmer is not short of money.

Thinking of this, his heart really moved.

"Boss, what should I do?" someone asked at this time.

"The meeting ends here."

Barry Ackley left with his assistant without saying a word.

The management looked at each other and then dispersed.

…

At six o'clock in the afternoon that day, Zhou Quan returned to the hotel from the golf course and was about to have dinner with Christina Yeri after taking a shower when Philip suddenly called.

"Zhou, Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen is here. He came from Portland on a private plane and will be arriving at the hotel soon."

Zhou Quan, who was soaking in the bathtub, said in surprise: "The Blazers haven't contacted us. What's going on?"

Philip shrugged his shoulders and said: "Who knows, but Paul Allen definitely wants to trade you when he comes to see you, that's for sure."

Within half an hour, Phillip drove to the hotel, and twenty minutes later, Paul Allen appeared at the hotel where Zhou Quan was staying.

There was a media reporter outside the hotel, an entertainment reporter. When he saw Paul Allen appearing, he immediately put away his camera and followed the elevator.

Paul Allen is a playboy who often dates models and female celebrities. He feels that he is lucky today and should be able to take some good photos.

Paul Allen and Hans Wilt stopped on the 32nd floor, stepped out of the elevator, and saw Zhou Quan and Philip.

"Hello, Mr. Allen." Philip walked up enthusiastically.

"Hello……"

Paul Allen walked up and extended his hand with a smile on his face.

"Crack, click, click..."

When the reporter who followed him saw Zhou Quan, he knew he was wrong, so he immediately turned on his camera and started taking pictures.

Zhou Quan and Phillip were startled, why did Paul Allen bring a reporter with him?

Paul Allen was also startled. He didn't expect that the man who came up with him was a reporter.

"Mr. Allen, Mr. Wilt, let's go in and talk." Philip said quickly.

"Okay." The two nodded with a smile.

"Mr. Allen, do you hope to trade Iron Fist this time?" The reporter took the last chance and asked.

However, no one answered his question, but he was not disappointed. He immediately took out his mobile phone and began to contact a news producer at a Los Angeles TV station, preparing to sell the news.

"Iron Fist, I hope you come to Portland. I hope the Trail Blazers have a leader who can determine the future championship. I hope they have a superstar who can beat the Bulls and Michael Jordan. You don't have to worry about the contract at all. That's not a problem."

, team investment is not a problem either.”

"Iron Fist, you have become the absolute leader since you came to the Trail Blazers...
To be continued...