Chapter 474 Knicks and Suns change owners

   The next day, Keryl John began assembling a makeshift acquisition team.

   For a big businessman like her, it’s too easy. You need money, money, people, and connections. Before noon, the team was formed and all the staff were in place, and immediately began to contact the Suns.

  Old Colangelo immediately cooperated, notified all shareholders of the news, and asked to hold another shareholders meeting to discuss the acquisition.

   On the morning of the 17th, the general meeting of shareholders was held.

   Colangelo made a preemptive strike and first announced a news that if the Suns traded the old K, then the old K would choose to retire.

   This news bombarded the shareholders and caused a considerable blow, so that they did not respond for a while.

   “Mr. Colangelo, the management can’t let him go, we don’t agree.” After reacting, some shareholders immediately asked angrily.

  Old Colangelo said coldly: “You are just shareholders, you can’t decide the operation of the management, you have no right to interfere with the operation of the team, let alone the freedom of old K. He has the right and freedom to retire.”

   “We are going to remove you. Right now, we will vote immediately.” Another shareholder roared angrily.

  Old Colangelo said with a face full of ridicule: “If you remove me, will you be able to keep old K?”

  “…”

  The shareholder looked sluggish and was speechless.

   He also knows the NBA rules. If the player chooses to retire during the contract period, there are two ways to deal with it.

   First, the team can continue to retain the player’s contract, but must continue to pay the player’s salary in full. If the player returns and the contract is not over, he must return to the original team.

  Second, if the contract is bought out after negotiation, the player loses his salary during the contract period, but if he wants to return, he can choose a new team.

If the old K really chooses to retire, then the big contract, the Suns will of course only buy out the contract with him and stop paying the salary for the next few years, and in this way, once the old K returns, he can join other teams, the Suns will Got nothing.

At this time, old Colangelo became stronger, Du Duoduo, he knocked on the table, and after all the shareholders’ eyes were focused on him, he said, “Give you a chance, or choose, someone is willing to pay Eighty million dollars to buy the team, you can say no, but you will face the end of losing the old K.”

   “It’s only 80 million? It’s impossible. We won’t earn a dime for the triple crown in five years, at least 100 million.” Someone immediately jumped out and was very angry.

   “Let’s go to Savor.” Someone suggested immediately.

   Old Colangelo gave the man a cold look, one of his relatives who had now betrayed him for money.

   He said coldly: “As long as you dare to contact Savor and the news spreads, I promise that old K will announce his retirement as soon as possible.

   Then, wait for the market value of the team to plummet, 50 million? No, 30 million is not worth it. ”

  “…”

  The shareholders looked at each other in dismay, not knowing what to do.

   At this time, a small shareholder who supported old Colangelo, who was also a relative of him, stood up and said, “I think it’s better to sell it. Since the market value is still good, we will cash out and leave.

   Think about it, everyone, after investing for so long, if it weren’t for the old K, we would still lose a lot of money every year, and now the opportunity is good. ”

   Another shareholder who supports Colangelo also said: “I heard that the Knicks are also negotiating, and the market value is not as high as our Suns.

   But we have won the triple crown in five years, and there is old K. It is indeed a little less than 80 million. Can the acquirer add a little more price? I think 90 million is acceptable. ”

   “If it’s 90 million, I agree.”

   Several shareholders who supported the old Colangelo raised their hands.

  Whether they end up selling their shares or not, that’s another matter, now they’re just helping old Colangelo to put pressure on those shareholders.

   Seeing that the small shareholders were dying, old Colangelo heaved a sigh of relief, got up and opened the door, and said to Little Colangelo who was waiting outside, “Brian, please come over, Mrs. John.”

   “Okay.” Little Colangelo went immediately.

   Soon, Mrs. Kelly John appeared in the conference room, and the shareholders meeting turned into acquisition negotiations.

   Seeing the appearance of a very famous local top businessman, Keryl John, those small shareholders were dumbfounded. Should they bully people like this? If they dared to refuse, how could they still be in the Phoenix business world in the future?

Kelly John smiled and said: “Everyone, I am quite generous. Mr. Colangelo said that the Suns are worth 80 million, and I will add 10 million to 90 million US dollars. If you are not satisfied with this price, I will It can only be said that you are too greedy. Remember, without the old K, a Suns team that loses every year will give it to me, and I will not want it.”

   Under multiple pressures, those minority shareholders could only choose to agree. After all, the market value of 90 million US dollars is very high among all NBA teams.

  The two parties have reached an agreement. After calculating the shares, a total of 61% of the shares are willing to be sold, and the total transaction value will reach 54.9 million US dollars.

  Keryl John is fully invested and will own 61% of the Suns shares, becoming the absolute controlling shareholder of the team.

  The 20% stake of the Colangelo family was not sold and became the second largest shareholder of the team. The old Colangelo changed his mind and planned to continue to hold it. The cobra needed funds to find another way.

   This is because Keryl John and her family are not familiar with the sports industry, so they are willing to continue the operation of the Suns to the Colangelo family.

   Of course, she will definitely send some people in to supervise the personnel, finance and other departments.

   But this deal still needs to be passed by the league, especially the owners of the other 28 teams.

  Wang Tiejun learned the news afterwards. He should have been very happy, but he just couldn’t be happy, and he always felt that something bad would happen.

On the 17th, Kobe returned to Philadelphia and met his family and his agent, Arndrum.

   He has a weight gain plan given to him by Wang Tiejun. This offseason, he needs to increase the tonnage to 96 kg.

   But when he got home, his mother and two sisters pressed him on the sofa and checked it up and down, leaving him not sure what was going on.

   “Kobe, God bless you, you weren’t injured by old K.”

   “Yes, Kobe, it’s time to leave that devil, let’s go to Los Angeles, and never go back to that hellish place in Phoenix.”

   “Kobe, listen to us, we won’t hurt you.”

  Three women you say, I say, Kobe is confused.

“What happened? No, no, why should I go to the Lakers? I still have a contract with the Suns. I haven’t learned the old K’s plum blossom move. I’m waiting for his class, so I won’t go to the Lakers. I To build a dynasty in the Suns.” After he figured it out, he shouted dissatisfied.

“Kobe, you’re not young anymore, you’re a professional player now, don’t be willful You could be traded yourself, you know that.” Joe Bryant finally spoke.

   “Didn’t it happen yet?”

   Kobe said very stubbornly: “And I’m still in the rookie contract period. If I take the initiative to apply for a trade now and leave my home team, what will other teams think of me? Do you want me to be a traitor?”

   His attitude was very tough, and Joe Bryant and others had no choice but to let it go in the end.

  On the 18th, old Colangelo and Keryl John went to New York. The transaction has been reported to Stern. This trip is to obtain the consent of the league. Stern has notified all the teams that the shareholders meeting will be held on the 20th.

   Not only the Suns, but the Knicks’ trade is coming to an end.

  Jordan secretly facilitated this, James Dolan made a $70 million bid immediately after knowing Jordan was willing to join the Knicks.

   Previously, his bid had been stuck at $50 million, and it had been delayed for some time. Now that the price was increased by 20 million, the Knicks boss agreed without hesitation.

  On the 20th, the NBA league held a general meeting of shareholders, and all the owners or representatives of 29 teams participated.

There were no twists and turns in the process, and Stern was also happy to see James Dolan and Kyle John become the big bosses of the Knicks and the Suns, and the two teams officially changed hands.

   At noon, the alliance announced the news.

   Then the Knicks held a press conference at Madison Square Garden, and new owner James Dolan announced to the media that he would trade with the Bulls to introduce Michael Jordan.

At about the same time, the new owner of the Suns, Mrs. Keryl John, and the team president, Colangelo, also held a press conference in New York, announcing that the team would not trade the old K and would continue to invest money next season. Strive to defend the title.

   These two news, through television media and online media, immediately spread throughout the United States.

   “Michael, you chose New York, which is a great decision.” Soon, Jordan received a call from Oakley.

   “Charles, you’re the leader of this team, do I think you’re welcoming me?” Jordan laughed.

   “Of course, we are old guys. You came to the Knicks, this team is yours, and I will cooperate with you.” Oakley said with a smile.

   “What will O’Neal think?” Jordan asked with a headache.

“That fat guy who can only laugh and laugh all day long? Michael, let me tell you, if you want to beat Old King, you have to keep whipping O’Neal with the whip, just like Pippen, or you won’t have a chance to win Old King.” Oakley suggested earnestly.

“Oh?”

“Let me put it this way, although O’Neal faced the pressure of old K, his personality was very lazy, a little lazy, he didn’t pay much attention to training, and he couldn’t control his weight. He didn’t have the strong will of you and old K. He needs your help and your constant encouragement to improve himself and to defeat the old K.” Oakley said.

  Jordan nodded and said, “Charles, make an appointment. Let’s meet with O’Neal and communicate first.”

“OK, leave it to me. This fat guy always thought I suppressed him. In fact, what did I suppress him for? I wish he could lead this team, but he, like Ewing, has serious flaws in the leadership position. Michael, it’s up to you in the future,” Oakley said.

   “No problem, I can train Pippen, so can O’Neal.” Jordan said confidently.

   ended the call with Oakley, he did not put down the phone, but prepared to recruit some free agents he wanted.

  Although the trading window has not yet opened, please contact us first, so as not to be preempted by the old K.

   His first contact was Chris Mullin.

Chris Mullin, the future Hall of Famer, multiple-time All-Star, and multiple-time All-NBA star swingman, has been denied an extension by the Warriors, which means he will be forced to leave after 12 years. home team for the season.

His mood is a little down, but he also has some expectations. He has played for 12 seasons, and he has played in the playoffs five times, three of which have reached the second round and two first-round tours. He has not touched the floor of the Western Conference Finals yet. Now that I have become a free agent, I hope to join a team that has the state of winning championships and make my career more fulfilling.

   Now he has also received invitations from many teams, the Heat, Pacers, Hawks, and the strength is not bad, but he did not agree.

   He is waiting. Anyway, the free market has not yet opened, and he can’t sign a contract now. He is not in a hurry for the time being.

   And today, the news he was waiting for finally came out, the Suns changed hands, and the old K will not be traded.

   In the past few seasons, he was used to seeing the strength and invincibility of the old K in the West. Now he has become a free agent. The first target to defect is of course the old K.

   It was only after winning the championship a few days ago that the Suns were unstable and Old K was caught up in trade rumors, so he kept waiting for news.

   However, two news came out at once, Jordan might join the Knicks, which made him hesitate.

  Jordan + O’Neal, such a powerful combination of superstars, the Suns have only old K, can they be opponents?

  “Ding ding ding…”

   At this moment, the phone rang suddenly, and it was Jordan’s phone.

   “Hello, Michael, why are you free to call me?” He answered immediately.

   “Chris, come and help me, I’ll take you to the championship.” Jordan said very directly and strongly.

   “But, your own transaction hasn’t been completed yet?” Chris Mullin hesitated.

   “I can make my own trade, and the Bulls must agree, otherwise they will get nothing.” Jordan said even more strongly.

   “But, I need to think about it again.” Chris Mullin still said hesitantly.

   “Chris, do you have any other options? You won’t be able to play for a few years. Instead of hanging out with other teams, it’s better to win the championship with me.” Jordan said.

   “What contract will the Knicks give me?” Being cornered by Jordan, Chris Mullin had to ask.

   “Basic salary.”

  Jordan said a little embarrassedly: “Chris, I really can’t take the space. You can play the main small forward when you come.”

   “Basic salary?”

  Chris Mullin was shocked and wanted to scold people. Although I am 34 years old, but I still have some strength, just want to fool me with the basic salary? You take the contract of 30 million and give me the basic salary. Where is your conscience?

   “Michael, can the Knicks be more sincere? I think so, when your transaction is completed, you can ask the management to contact my agent.” Chris Mullin hung up the phone.

   “Hey, Chris?”

  Jordan shouted twice, a busy tone sounded on the opposite side, and he could only put down his phone in annoyance.

   Now he has some headaches, and he is not good at teaching. If he can’t get high-quality low-paid helpers, how can it be just him and O’Neal?

   At this moment, the phone rang, and Oakley called, saying that he had made an appointment with O’Neal and that he could leave now.

  He packed up and left his home in New York right away.

   When he came to the coffee shop he had made an appointment with, he booked a semi-open private room. When he walked over, he saw Oakley and O’Neal.

  O’Neal looks a little frustrated, Oakley hasn’t killed yet, and now another big devil is coming, when will he be the leader of the Knicks?

   “I can’t get through this day. If I know Hardaway will be seriously injured, why don’t I stay in magic?”

   When he saw Jordan, he mumbled and had to get up and say, “Hey, Michael, it’s great that you came to the Knicks!”

   “Hey, Charles.”

   “Hey, Michael.”

  Jordan greeted Oakley first, looked at O’Neal with a half-smile, and asked, “Shark, do you really welcome me?”

  O’Neal smiled awkwardly, Jordan’s momentum was too strong, and he didn’t know how to answer this question.

   “Sit down and talk,” Oakley greeted.

   The three sat down, ordered coffee, and after a few chats, Oakley got to the point.

   He said, “Michael, your deal should be fine, right?”

   Jordan said: “The Knicks have just changed hands, and the management hasn’t started talking to the Bulls. The Bulls will definitely want a draft pick, and they will definitely not want the Knicks, so the transaction will be a bit complicated.”

   “To trade you, everyone in the Knicks will be a bargaining chip, except for O’Neal.” Oakley said here, he was suddenly startled, would he also be a bargaining chip?

“Ha ha!”

  O’Neal obviously thought of this, and he couldn’t help cracking his mouth. He laughed, and laughed out loud, and made a face at Oakley after laughing.

   Oakley glared at O’Neal and cursed, “Fatty, what are you laughing at?”

   “No, haha, I just choked on the coffee.” O’Neal buried his head, his shoulders shaking.

   “Damn, Michael, have you discussed with the management, really want to trade me?” Oakley sighed.

   “NO, I haven’t contacted management yet, that’s David Frank’s business.”

  Jordan denied it, but he said helplessly: “But the combined virtual space of O’Neal and I is more than 14 million US dollars, and the remaining space is only 13 million US dollars. The lineup configuration is very troublesome.”

   “So much?”

  Oakley frowned, feeling more and more like he was going to be a bargaining chip.

O’Neal doesn’t laugh anymore. Although he doesn’t really want Jordan to join the Knicks, the addition of Jordan can also help him defeat the old K and hit the championship, so it’s not very exclusive. Come on anyway, he can’t control it anyway. , but now that there is only 13 million left in the space, I can’t help but have a headache. How can I configure the winning lineup with this space?

   Jordan said at this time: “Shark, I know you don’t want me to join the Knicks too much, but you can’t beat the old K alone, and neither can I, so we have to join forces.”

   Speaking of this, he was very helpless. Damn old K, to say it nicely, forced him to choose a teammate.

Shaquille O’Neal could only nod. He also thought so. With the current lineup of the Knicks, there may not even be a chance to meet K in the finals. It is very sad for Jordan alone. With Jordan as his helper, Indeed an opportunity for him.

  It would be better if the Suns collapsed, and then he and Jordan played a dynasty together, and he burst out laughing at the thought of that possibility.

   “Shark, why are you so out of character?” Oakley said with a headache.

   “Cough cough…”

   O’Neal quickly suppressed his laughter, coughed twice, and made a serious expression.

   Jordan observed O’Neal and knew that Oakley was right, this big fat man is still a child who has not grown up, and he has to step up his efforts to make great use of it.

   He said to O’Neal: “You don’t have to worry about your status in the team. I’m almost 35 years old. How old are you? You are the future of the Knicks.”

   “Really?” O’Neal was shocked.

   “Of course it’s true. Do you think I came to the Knicks to compete with you for the boss? Do you have the qualifications to compete with me for the boss?” Jordan said disdainfully.

O’Neal smiled awkwardly. He actually knew that Jordan didn’t have to fight at all. As soon as Jordan walked into the locker room, he could guarantee that all Knicks players would automatically surrender to Jordan’s side, even if he dared to reject Jordan’s leadership. ?

   Jordan’s words can be regarded as eliminating O’Neal’s knot, and the next three people began to calculate the Knicks’ lineup space.