Chapter 258 The lion speaks
There is no doubt that the commercial value of wide receivers is higher than that of running backs; moreover, Odell Beckham is the most appealing and capable player among the new generation of players. This is why Nike is willing to give a top contract. .
Now, Nike is targeting Levi against Beckham Jr., and the contract period is longer, showing their belief in Levi's career——
Sincere, full.
At least that's how Edwards sees it.
But apparently, Donald doesn't think so.
Edwards smiled, sincerely, with smiles in his eyes, "Donald, you know this is impossible, we all know what this number means, and we cannot disrupt the laws of the market."
Two and a half million dollars per year for three years?
This is the current ceiling for the entire NFL. The sponsorship contracts signed by Nike and a series of top superstars are of this level. The details may be slightly different, but overall, the annual salary is at this level.
And Levi?
As a running back, he has only played two official games in his career. How is it possible to reach the ceiling of the league in one step?
Edwards believes that Donald is testing Nike's ceiling, that is to say, so he needs to be firm and make Donald realize that this is impossible.
However, Donald's expression remained unchanged, "History is meant to be broken, right?"
In one sentence, determination is demonstrated.
Donald leaned forward slightly, "Thirty years ago, when Jordan first entered the league, he was just an ordinary college student, but Nike gave him a unique contract and bet on his future."
"I'm not asking for an exact contract, we all know times have changed. Look, I'm still sane."
There is only one Jordan; even if it is LeBron, Nike will never sign the same contract as Jordan again.
"but."
"What I want to ask is, does Nike no longer have the original ambition?"
"Thirty years ago, Nike was just a company that specialized in running shoes, with a market share far lower than Adidas and Converse, but you made a choice that not only made Nike the leader in global market share, but also made people aware of The commercial value of professional leagues.”
"Now, the opportunity has appeared again."
Calm, yet confident.
Edwards did not panic, but at this time he finally looked directly at Donald, "So, you mean, the Jordan of football has appeared?"
Donald shook his head slightly, "I mean, Levi from football showed up."
Edwards chuckled and made no comment.
Donald was unaffected.
"At that time, Adidas and Converse were full of confidence. They thought they could sit firmly on Diaoyutai. They also believed that Jordan was just another rookie. After all, he was only the No. 1 pick, not the No. 1 pick or the No. 2 pick, just the No. 3 pick."
“They think they can sit back and relax, they don’t need to take risks, and they can just stick to what they have achieved.”
"So Nike took a chance."
"Now, times have changed. Does Nike still have such courage?"
Although Donald did not mention it clearly, the subtext could not be more straightforward——
The current Nike is the Adidas of the past, and the current Under Armor is the Nike of the past.
Nike is making the same mistake that Adidas did. Once Nike chooses to be conservative, Under Armor will never miss a rare opportunity.
I have to say, Donald is really awesome.
With just a few words, fate is grabbed by the throat, and the entire situation is turned upside down. However, in front of him was Edwards, the top executive of Nike's pyramid, and he could not be easily fooled.
Edwards was neither anxious nor panicked. He refused to be led by Donald. He was certain of one thing. Only Nike can realize Donald's ambitions. Under Armor currently does not have such ability, otherwise what Donald said just now would be unreasonable. I won't give a speech in front of him, but will show it to Under Armor representatives.
Edwards showed an enthusiastic expression, "But Levi is not Michael, and football is not basketball. These are two completely different things."
"Levi - I don't mean to slander the running back, but the running back is a consumable, a pure youth, relying on the body to create a world. If it is a quarterback, okay, let's sit down and expand it, but the running back ?”
Levi raised his hands and responded with a smile, "It's okay."
Immediately afterwards, Levi added, "I have some friendships with several other quarterback buddies. Do you need me to contact you on your behalf?"
Mahomes: Touched!
One sentence stunned Edwards.
Donald snickered secretly. Levi's Interruption skill should be at full level, but it was not obvious on the surface. He continued, "We should look at it from another angle. It is precisely because of the impossibility that writing miracles is more moving."
"Hey, who doesn't like the story of the underdog?"
"The running back, in my opinion, is Levi's highlight."
"From preseason doubts to current praise, the prejudice and discrimination brought about by the label of running back is becoming the biggest help for Levi to make waves."
“Imagine that even the North American market is surprised, so what’s the impact on the Asian market?”
Edwards himself has a background in brand planning and marketing. He immediately understood what Donald meant, and his eyes showed deep thought.
Donald also knows how to stop talking and give up as soon as he wants. Especially when facing a high-level executive like Edwards, speaking too much can easily reveal his timidity.
So, Donald was ready to wrap things up.
"I admit that if Levi's brand effect wants to be maximized, Nike is the best choice. I think this cooperation can achieve the effect of one plus one greater than two."
"But Nike is not the only option."
"After all, the current rugby market is still in a state of waiting to tap its potential. Players rely on brands, and brands also rely on players."
"As I said, football today is the same as basketball thirty years ago. The future belongs to the side that dares to pioneer, take risks, and break through."
"Mr. Edwards, Levi is ready. Maybe you are the ones who are not ready yet."
Confidence, burst——
Not to mention Edwards, even Levi looked at Donald with admiration.
It is no exaggeration to say that Donald believes in his future more than Levi does.
Involuntarily, Levi also glanced at Donald.
The words just mentioned not only compare Levi to the top superstars in the NFL, but also compare Levi to history makers like Jordan and Federer. The specifications and formations of the entire negotiation have been raised to a whole new level, which is indeed far away. Exceeded expectations.
Donald also noticed it, looked back at Levi, and showed a slight smile, looking as if it was natural, which calmed Levi down.
Edwards also realized that today's negotiations may have no results, and the two sides' positioning is essentially different.
But what really makes Edwards curious is, can Under Armor and Adidas really satisfy Donald's ambitions? A running back making league history?
No matter how you think about it, it seems like a fantasy!
On the surface, Edwards did not show it, but said something meaningful, inadvertently revealing a bit of ridicule and teasing.
"It seems that you are full of confidence."
Are you complaining about Donald's overestimation?
(End of chapter)