Century City, Los Angeles, CAA Headquarters.

"Is this a big company? The floor-to-ceiling windows are so luxurious that I think you can even see Hollywood to the northwest. ”

The agent in charge of the reception of the family was preparing hot coffee for the three visitors, and Dorothy, who was sitting on the sofa, looked left and right, like a country girl who had entered the city for the first time.

The uncle didn't speak, but judging from the small movements he often pursed his lips, he had the same mentality as Dorothy.

Bill was lying on the couch with a big grin, making himself look like an uncle.

Originally, according to the schedule, he should now be on the way to Hawaii with his aunt and uncle, younger siblings. After a year and a half of college in California, Bill, who had money in his hands, had the idea of taking them to Hawaii to spend Christmas and New Year, so after more than a dozen phone calls, he finally persuaded the family to come to California to meet him.

It's just that Yevgeny's words woke up Bill at noon yesterday, and he immediately drove his family to Los Angeles with his career, and found a hotel for his aunt to take Neo to rest. He and his two remaining family members went to CAA's headquarters in Century City to begin formal contract negotiations.

"Two gentlemen and this lady, please enjoy our coffee."

The middle-aged agent named Chris brought over three cups of coffee one after another, and the energetic Bill didn't need this thing to refresh himself, and it wasn't cold in Los Angeles in winter, so he directly put the paper cup on the table not far away.

Dorothy took a small sip, and the uncle took a sip, and after being burned, he spit the coffee back, and in the process, he also stained the chest of his jacket, and Dorothy hurriedly helped her uncle wipe it.

Chris, the owner of this office, also came over with a tissue to help wipe it, "I'm sorry, but the water I'm using is too hot." ”

He bent down to help his uncle straighten his jacket.

Bill watched it all with a squint, and from the moment they entered the door, Chris was humble, which made Mr. Ferrari feel like he could go on.

After the trivial matters in the early stage are settled, the broker starts to get down to business.

“…… You mean you want us to help you run your pre-NFL profile and open up a second career in the film and television industry in the off-season, and we can get your professional contract. ”

Chris took a pen and paper and jot down as he spoke.

"That's probably it, but I'm also conditional, your percentage of the commission is up to eight percent, and I'll go to ICM if you get more."

William Morris naturally couldn't give a lower percentage of commission than CAA, and Bill didn't use this to blackmail Chris, otherwise he would think that he was a stunned person who didn't understand the market.

"Mr. Ferrari, that's right, it's up to the director to decide on the matter of proportions. Although I am professionally responsible for sports, I only have a few NBA players in my hands, and I don't know much about football. Please wait a moment with your family, and I'll go and ask Lang Meyer, who is in charge of this, to come. ”

After Bill agreed, Chris smiled and nodded to the client's two family members, then walked out of the office to find the real person in charge.

"Brother, is this company reliable? He just said that he didn't understand football and the NFL, and his main business was basketball. Dorothy turned her head to ask the old man.

Bill looked like he knew everything, "Sister, don't worry, my coach and I have specifically investigated this CAA company, and their five founders are all ace agents of William Morris, a top brokerage company, and they have risen rapidly by relying on their eclectic working methods and sincere enthusiasm for customers." The five founders were on a high school basketball team, and it is normal for them to start the NBA first, but the NFL is also a brokerage market that is too big to ignore, and CAA has always wanted to squeeze in, but there is no room for force. ”

There are only 450 active players in the NBA, and there are more than 1,500 players in the NFL, as well as substitutes and sparring players who are not on the list, all of which require agents. It's impossible for any agency that wants to make a big impact in the sports industry to let go of the NFL market.

"Dorothy, you just believe Bill's words, he is on TV every day, and he is much more professional than us."

The uncle did not question, and with his knowledge and experience, he really couldn't discern anything wrong.

The three of them are waiting for the agent to bring their boss, and the agents are urgently searching for all the information of the visiting customer.

"Michael, the NFHS New York State Association faxed his high school experience."

"I called my friends in the NCAA, and he promised to find all the man's college data and awards by half past ten."

"It's not easy to do in San Francisco, we don't have colleagues there on business at the moment, but we can ask our colleagues directly."

In a large office, several staff members gathered around Michael Ovitz to quickly find out what was going on with Bill Ferrari.

Efficiency, seriousness, and enthusiasm are the keys to the rapid rise of this start-up brokerage company.

Ron Meyer and Chris were also there, and the latter was reporting to the executives on the client's requirements.

"Eight percent is too little." Michael Ovitz directly interrupted Chris, "I'll talk to him in person later, the broker will take 10 percent, and the remaining two services will be 6 percent each, and a total of 22 percent of the contract salary will go into our CAA account." ”

Lang Meyer, one of the five founders, frowned, "He asked for eight percent, and you directly tripled, and believe it or not, this kind of door-picking customer heard your words, turned around and ran to ICM." ”

"I'll give him a condition that he can't refuse." Michael Ovitz ordered while reading the information, "Lang and Chris go to stabilize them first, don't mention the matter of sharing, I will bring someone over as soon as I finish reading the information." ”

"As soon as possible, you can't talk about the brokerage contract in three sentences." Ron Meyer gave a word of advice and left with Chris.

Michael Ovitz waved his hand, "Someone who can read rugby stats, tell me what kind of rugby player this is." ”

An employee approached the manager, pointed to the paper in the manager's hand and began to explain: "From high school, he should have the strength to go straight to the NFL, you look at his receiving data, 636 yards in 16 regular season games, a total of 53 catches." The touchdowns totaled nineteen throughout the season, and it was all a performance of dominance on the strong side. ”

"He also has the title of New York City's best athlete in '80, and it's very difficult to get that honor from a position other than a quarterback, which means he outperformed all quarterbacks that year."

Looking at his bench press results and 40-yard sprint speed, he often had 256 bench presses in high school, and his peak speed was 4.73 seconds. In the versatile position of the near end, there is no more ideal combination of power and speed than him. ”

In the midst of Michael Ovitz's discussions with his subordinates, intelligence from the NCAA was also on the table.

"This San Francisco derby against the Golden Bears, this reversal of his...... Against a top team like the University of Notre Dame Irish Warriors, he can also carry the ball all the way to the end zone, which means that the Irish Warriors defenders can't stop this top beast, and I heard that he also has the nickname of Texas Longhorn, which I think is very appropriate. ”

Listening to the meticulous analysis of his subordinates, Michael Ovitz had an idea in his heart. He stood up and said, "Come with me, we'll go and subdue this beast." ”

……

"Actually, I'm here for your warm service, and only a fast-rising brokerage company like CAA can meet my needs."

Director Ron Meyer, brought in by Chris, is also a non-talker, and Bill guesses that the real person in charge should be gathering information about himself, so he also drags on and doesn't get down to business.

"At this point, Mr. Ferrari can definitely put his heart in his belly......" Before Lang Meyer could finish speaking, a large crowd walked into the office.

The leader is a lean white man in his early thirties, with good facial features, a big back comb, and his eyes are shining.

"Let me talk to Mr. Ferrari." Michael Ovitz waved Ron Meyer and Chris back to their feet.

After shaking hands with Bill, the manager and Bill sat down in the chairs brought by his subordinates, surrounded by seven or eight subordinates in suits, which made him equal to Mr. Ferrari on the sofa.

"We're not going to talk nonsense, sir, your brokerage contract is 10 percent percent, and that includes us negotiating salaries with your professional team, creating a complete career plan for you, and the necessary positive image of you as a star off the pitch."

Bill was about to say a few words, but he reached out to stop the customer's words and continued.

"And six percent is what we pay for our nutrition, injury and illness teams that are tailored to you. Trust CAA, as the season progresses, you will have two professionals with you, one a professional nutritionist and the other a doctor. ”

"The second 6 percent is what you need to pay in the film and television industry. We'll let you start a second career in film and television, just after Simpsons and Joe Montana, like Simpson and Joe Montana, and in the offseason you'll get the kind of resources that only the best movie stars in the company can get. ”

Bill calculated, "You're taking twenty-two percent, and I'm losing too much." ”

The first 10% is the proportion taken by the broker, and the last two are the services that CCA matches, but the services are paid in the form of shares, which is far from what he envisioned.

At least he doesn't need to pay for injuries and dietitians to brokerage companies, he can form a team on his own.

"My reasons, sir, are as follows." Michael Ovitz is confident, "I know what you're capable of, you're a top close end in the collegiate league, and you're pretty much a top player on the NFL professional team. Our company needs to launch a benchmark for NFL stars, and if you are growing rapidly in both sports, film and television, our company can quickly open up the situation among NFL professional players.

You know, the best second career for a football star is to make movies, and their fans will really pay to support their idols. And in order for latecomers to pay 22% of the on-site contract, you can't lower this ratio. ”

Dorothy elbowed her brother, and it seemed that she also felt that the proportion was too high.

"Tell me what you can give me!"

While it's impossible to close the deal at this rate, Bill wants to hear the man's offer.

With such a high commission, CAA always has to pay a corresponding price.

"Our sincerity has always been through the whole process of working with you. So, if you're interested, sign a 10 percent base contract today, and we're committed to getting you into the first tier of UC football players this year. and this year's No. 1 college freshman football camp selected by some media in the United States. From the weight of these media, you can feel the sincerity of our efforts to create a benchmark. ”

Bill thought it was amazing, "I'm a sophomore, and I'm still a freshman?" Can you still be selected for the first camp of freshmen? ”

Michael Ovitz stood up and buttoned up his suit, "It's a reflection of our attitude, you can see the good news on TV before the spring training camp, and then we'll talk about the next two contracts." ”

He held out his hand, "Congratulations, Mr. Ferrari, for your official debut today!" ”

PS: Ask for a recommendation ticket and ask for a monthly pass.

(End of chapter)