Chapter 939: Simple Friends
“…I am happy now, but no one knows whether I will continue to be happy in the future, right?”
There was no cynicism, Kroenke remained calm, He spoke unhurriedly, but the space left for interpretation in his words seemed profound.
Levi raised his eyebrows slightly, "If anyone thinks that Silent Stan means it literally, they should be dumbfounded at this moment. Like me."
A small joke, Trying to change the subject.
However, Kroenke didn't buy it and still followed his own rhythm, throwing heavy weights lightly.
"Next year when you are in your third year, if you come to Los Angeles now, we can give you a contract that will create a historical record."
The air was suddenly quiet.
In the NFL, rookie players are at the bottom of the food chain. It is often not until the end of their four-year rookie contract that they can sit down and start negotiations with the team. It is precisely because of this that young and cheap rookie players are It's called "rookie benefit."
Occasionally, after some top players pass their third year, the team, in order to show sincerity, discusses contract extension with the players one year in advance. This is already a special treatment.
However, almost no team will start contract extension negotiations with players after their second season.
The most direct case is Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. After the end of his second season, Newton’s agent made a request to the team, hoping to renew his contract in advance. To this end, The Carolina Panthers have to pay attention because they believe Newton is their cornerstone quarterback.
Despite this, the negotiations between the Carolina Panthers and Newton remained at a stalemate for more than a year, throughout the entire 2013 season, and it was not until the offseason after the season, when Newton's junior year ended, that the two parties reached an agreement. Consensus and finally sign the agreement.
Players have their own needs; but the team is not a fool.
And now, for the first time, Kroenke has actually given Levi, a second-year student, a contract——
And, still a running back.
Rare, too rare.
Levi looked at Kroenke, "My mother has always told me that there is no free lunch in the world, and free lunches are often the most expensive. So I am not curious at all, and I am not tempted at all."
Having said that, Levi looked at Kroenke with bright eyes, full of curiosity.
Klenk was amused by Levi's expression, "Really? Are you sure you don't want to listen to the conditions?"
Levi struggled for a moment, "I'm afraid that after listening, I might really be moved. I might not be in the mood to watch a movie tonight."
Klenk was slightly surprised, "You are very special. If you are Others, not to mention whether they agree or not, are at least willing to listen to our offer."
"Anyway, it's just a number, right? It doesn't hurt to listen."
Levi shrugged lightly, "I always believe that people are self-aware. I know that I may be tempted, and I do not deny my desire for salary; to you, it may be just a number, but to you For me, it may be the culprit of being unable to sleep in the next few nights.”
“So, I should cut off the temptation at the root.”
Calm, rational, wise, and at the same time self-deprecating humor.
Klenk looked at it differently, "But, aren't you curious about my numbers?"
Levi, "Yes. But I still choose to refuse because I'm worried that you might give me An invitation you can't refuse."
Klenk: ..."Are you imitating a line from "The Godfather"?"
Levi, "Yes. Coming to Hollywood?”
The smile in Kroenke's eyes welled up, "Now I am finally sure that we should extend an olive branch."
Levi:? ? ? So these conversations just now were all tests?
Levi sighed, "Ah, sure enough, standing in front of billionaires, I feel very small. I should leave here as soon as possible and return to Kansas City, where I will regain my confidence."
Klenk couldn't hold it back, haha, hahaha.
The laughter can’t stop.
Kroenke was serious - it was all just curiosity.
Kenke owns multiple professional teams. He established his own management style early and hired senior management personnel such as presidents and team managers, who were personally selected and controlled by him. , and then give them maximum autonomy in decision-making and leave professional matters to professionals.
Because Kroenke clearly understands that he is good at investing and passionate about sports, but it does not mean that he is good at managing the team and maintaining the professionalism and independence of the team. This is the correct way for the team to grow.
Kenke rarely participates in specific decisions of the team.
Therefore, the statement that he had just given the second-year Levi a contract that he could not refuse was just a joke, a small test, and purely out of curiosity.
However, he now truly believes that the Los Angeles Rams need players like Levi -
more than just a running back, or even more than an ordinary player.
A superstar, a leader, an important being who has the ability to change the atmosphere and momentum both on and off the court.
Kenke is a businessman and he knows the influence of a flag on the competitive sports market.
Perhaps, Levi is the key that allows the Los Angeles Rams to truly complete their transformation. They not only have the ability to hit the championship, but also can change the team's market prospects.
But...
Klenk wasn't going to say anything.
He is not prepared to interfere with the work of the manager and head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, nor is he prepared to interfere with the construction and growth of the team with his business insights.
Because he knew it was a very stupid thing to do.
If nothing else, at least Kroenke will settle the score. The NFL has a hard salary cap. If they give Levi a big check, that means adjustments must be made at other positions; if they are prepared to make history, that means there is room for adjustment. And the magnitude may be crippling.
So, Kroenke was not prepared to speak, not even to say "I personally think Levi is suitable for our team."
Continue to remain silent.
But this did not affect Kroenke's appreciation of Levi. He thought that maybe he and Levi could become friends -
Not the kind of friends who sincerely talk about drinking and talking, but A gentlemanly friendship that respects each other and talks about life freely.
At least it was a good haul tonight.
The smile was still at the corner of his mouth. Kroenke looked at Levi, "It's not just you. Me too."
Levi, "Oh, why?"
Kroenke, "Here, they only look at me in two ways. One is, 'I should convince him to spend fifty million dollars to invest in my movie project'; the other is, 'Is that old guy? I don't think I'm suitable for life in Los Angeles because I'm an unemployed person who got in through a security guard."
Levi also smiled.
Kroenke, "So I still like Montana, staying in a deserted place, away from humans."
Levi shook his head slightly, "There is a difference here. Some people stay in Montana, It is a return to primitiveness where nothing can grow and the earth is the ground. Some people live in their own 300 million US dollar mansions and have ninety-nine servants to serve them. That is not far away from human beings at all."< br>
“There are only fifteen servants in my family.”
“Oh, fifteen, that sounds very few.”
“Yes, you need to drive from the kitchen to the living room Fifteen minutes, if you think about it, that’s really not much.”
"Haha, is this the humor of billionaires?"
After going back and forth, they actually had a good conversation.
(End of this chapter)