That night, before the two arrived in the capital, the NBA draft began.

The Spurs drafted Tim Duncan, who made Popovich's coveted pick, a No. 1 pick, and found a helper for David Robinson.

Then the red-clad head coach announced his retirement, the green team did not get the first pick, and now Duncan has been selected by the Spurs, and he is very disappointed.

At three o'clock in the afternoon of the 29th, Zhou Quan and Zeng Li quietly returned to the capital.

Liu Yumin and Zhang Li came to pick up the plane, and when they met, Zhou Quan said to Liu Yumin: "Liu, don't worry, I just retired from the NBA, not from the national team." ”

"That's good, that's good, you're still young."

Liu Yumin immediately breathed a sigh of relief, for the sake of Zhou Quan's retirement, she hadn't slept well these days.

Zhang Li also wanted to say something, but it wasn't until he got into the car that he said with a lost face: "Zhou Quan, will you go back to the NBA in the future?" ”

"It's hard to say." Zhou Quan shook his head and said.

"Actually, you are still mixed in the United States, boxing and golf are inseparable from the United States, and those media in the United States may also target you." Zhang Li couldn't help but say.

Zhou Quan smiled and said: "It's not the media's problem, the main problem is that some executives of the NBA league and the referee committee are targeting me, which is disgusting." I'm not an American, much less white and black. ”

"Really?"

Zhang Reasonable said in disbelief: "Isn't that brainless? ”

"And what are your plans for the future?" Liu Yumin asked with concern.

"Let's focus on boxing and golf, for the time being, these two sports, tennis is also ready to practice." Zhou Quan said with a smile.

"You're not going back to the NBA?" Zhang Lili still couldn't help but ask.

Zhou Quan thought of the system, so he said: "It depends on the sincerity of the league, if the high-level management who targeted me is not purged, and the referee committee is not rectified, it is unlikely that I will return to the NBA." ”

Zhang Li and Liu Yumin nodded, and the former said: "By the way, the Sports Committee is going to be restructured, and the Basketball Department will soon be transformed into a basketball sports management center, and Liu will be the director of the first center." ”

"Then congratulations to Liu. Oh, it's supposed to be Director Liu now. Zhou Quan immediately sent congratulations.

Liu Yumin waved his hand and said with a smile: "That's also because of you, the national team has a good record, otherwise the position of the director would be from the academy." ”

"Academic?" Zhou Quan was stunned.

Zhang explained reasonably: "It is from the sports academy, not from the athlete. ”

Zhou Quan thought of the second side task issued by the system, and couldn't help asking: "Director Liu, should this year's Asian Championships be fine?" ”

Liu Yumin said: "It has been five consecutive championships before, according to our current strength, if you don't fight, it should be no problem." ”

……

On July 1, the return ceremony of Xiangcheng was held as scheduled.

As soon as he returned to China, Zeng Lifu was busy, and there were too many things to do to quickly spread jazz coffee in first- and second-tier cities across the country.

Zhou Quan established Iron Fist Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd., invested 400 million yuan, and began to acquire stores in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

At least 100 stores in first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and 60 stores in second-tier cities, this is the preliminary plan, and third-tier cities belong to the second batch of plans.

Zhou Quan was also very busy after returning to China, first setting up a real estate company, and then shooting commercials for dozens of large domestic and Xiangcheng companies, which were all endorsements given to him by his father.

After half a month of busy back and forth between the capital and Xiangcheng, he returned to Changsha, stayed at home for two days, and then went back to Changde's hometown for two days.

During this period, the NBA was very lively.

The contract negotiations between the league and NBC have reached an impasse, and David Stern is absolutely unwilling to take a contract of 800 million, and he can obviously take a contract of more than 200 million, this gap is too big.

NBC is also not happy, you yourself ran the Iron Fist King, we are very optimistic about the ratings in the future, give you 800 million, that is still Michael Jordan, if Jordan retires, give you 500 million, you will have to laugh secretly.

All teams are not reconciled, the league has to lose $400 million a year, and it is nearly $14 million to be allocated to a team, and it will lose nearly $60 million in 4 years.

All the players are also unwilling to be unhappy, 14 million US dollars a year, half of their salaries are paid, and the average salary could have risen by more than 400,000 US dollars, which is in vain.

As a result, the alliance has become their punching bag, especially those executives who targeted Zhou Quan, who were scolded bloody.

However, this has not affected the transactions and reinforcements of various teams, the management of each team will work as usual, anyone can turn around without the earth, and the NBA will not go bankrupt without Zhou Quan.

On July 4, 1997, the Lakers have been negotiating with the Jazz, especially after Zhou Quan announced his retirement, they stepped up negotiations and contacted the Jazz many times.

The Jazz were willing to talk before, but after Zhou Quan announced his retirement, they stopped negotiations with the Lakers.

"Carl, without the Iron Fist, we are the strongest in the west, you stay." Jerry Sloan found the postman's farm and persuaded him bitterly.

The postman was moved, and Jerry Sloan continued to persuade: "Supersonic rebuild, both Big Dream and Barkley are leaving Mosaic, and we will definitely reach the Finals next season."

By the way, I contacted Barkley's agent, David Falke, and the Bulls don't want Barkley anymore, so we get him, you play the No. 4 position, and he plays the No. 3 position. ”

"Really?"

The postman was really moved.

"He only needs a base salary, just for the championship, I promise to get him." Jerry Sloan patted his chest and reassured.

Looking back, as soon as he left the farm, he contacted Hans Bob, the general manager, and asked him to go to Buckley's agent.

David Falke received a call from Hans Bob, and the Jazz wanted Barkley, but he was also happy and did not stop him, and immediately contacted Barkley.

"Good news, Charles, Sir wants to find you."

"David, are you crazy? The postmen are all gone, am I going there to join the Mormon Church and suffer? Barkley said unhappily.

"No, the postman didn't go, he stayed at Sizz." David Falke said.

"Really?" Barkley moved.

"Iron Fist's retirement still has a great impact, and the postman should have seen this, so he chose to stay." David Falke said.

Barkley nodded, he couldn't go to the Bulls, wasn't he retired because of Iron Fist?

"OK, I'll go to Jazz."

There's no better place to go anyway, the Jazz are still strong, and even the strongest in the West next season, he said after thinking about it.

On the 5th, the Jazz announced that the team had brought in superstar Charles Barkley.

This news hit the Lakers directly, and also hit O'Neal and Olajuwon.

"Charles, you actually ran to the Jazz? Forgot how the postman elbowed you? Big Dream made a phone call to Barkley.

"It's all about the championship!" Barkley sighed.

"Damn it!"

Da Meng hung up the phone, Barkley has a home, where is his next home?

"Hakim, there's really no team for you at the moment. There is space, but there is no strength to win the championship. There is no room for those who have the strength to win the championship. Unless, you're willing to take a base salary like Barkley. Dan Fagan was embarrassed.

"That can't be."

Da Meng said categorically.

Thinking of this, he hated the bull, the damned bull lied to him, just because the iron fist retired, he didn't want him, is he worse than Mutombo?

But he hates Zhou Quan even more, damn it, obviously he can join forces with Michael to defeat you next season, what are you going to retire from?

"Hakim, Mosaic contacted me again and is willing to give you a 4-year contract of 60 million, which is 5 million more than the last offer, do you want to think about it?" Dan Fagan said.

Big Dream is silent, fishing, championship, which one to choose?

No, the Postman didn't go to the Lakers, so can I go to the Lakers?

Playing the twin towers tactics with O'Neal, even if Iron Fist doesn't retire, he will be pinched to death, and Michael is not a problem.

"Dan, didn't the Lakers contact you?" He asked, confused.

Dan Fagan shook his head, nodded again, and said, "The postman didn't go to the Lakers, and Jerry West contacted me as soon as possible." ”

Da Meng said angrily: "Then don't you tell me, tell me here that there is no room for a team with the strength to win the championship, and there is no strength for those who have space?"

The postman has a contract, and he still needs chips to trade, I am a free man, there is no obstacle to go to the Lakers, and the Lakers don't need to lose a single hair. ”

Dan Fagan smiled bitterly: "No, Hakim, the postman's contract is small, and the annual salary is only 5 million next season, and the contract you ask for is at least double his."

The Lakers already have O'Neal's 10 million annual salary, have you forgotten his 100 million yuan contract? So now the Lakers can't sign you with that big contract anymore.

Jerry West offered me $12 million over 3 years, which is completely out of line with your value, and I declined. ”

"12 million in 3 years? 12 million in 3 years, ...... in 3 years" Hearing this offer, Da Meng's heart was a little bitter and murmured.

"Hakim, you can't lower your value!" Dan Fagan was a little worried.

"But I want the championship now. Now that Iron Fist madman has retired, this is the best opportunity, if you don't take advantage of it at this time, do you want me to never have a championship in my life? Big Dream said with fire in his eyes.

Da Meng himself was willing, and Dan Feigen could only nod and say: "Then let's do it, if we don't sign for three years, let's sign for one year and one year?" If you win a championship next season, then go to another team to sign a long-term contract? ”

"Sign for a year first?"

A trace of helplessness flashed on Da Meng's face, he knew his body best, his body was no longer good, it didn't hurt here, or it hurt there, his state next season is really not good, if he only signed for one year and didn't play well, where would he sign a long-term contract in the future?

Thinking of this, he hesitated again, is the championship more important, or is the money more important? Tens of millions of dollars!

Seeing Da Meng's appearance, Dan Feigen somewhat understood that Da Meng had not made up his mind.

He hoped that Da Meng would stay, otherwise he would not get any money if he signed a small contract, so he immediately persuaded: "Hakim, now is your last chance to sign a long-term contract with an annual salary of 10 million, you should think about it carefully." My advice to you is that it's better to stay in Houston. ”

……

The NBA is very lively, Southeast Asia is also very lively, there is a financial turmoil, and the economic achievements of several countries that have developed for decades have been blown up by a wave, and then harvested by dollar capital.

However, this has nothing to do with Zhou Quan, and on July 25, he returned to the United States alone. Zeng Lifu stayed in China for the time being to deal with the affairs of Jazz.

At three o'clock in the afternoon of the 25th, they arrived in Los Angeles, and after dealing with media reporters, they left the airport with Roger Philip.

"Zhou, the hottest news right now is your boxing championship match with Tyson, which has the highest attention with your popularity."

Philip said excitedly as he drove.

"Rogge, is the training hall arranged?" Zhou Quan asked.

"It's already arranged." Philip said.

“OK。”

"By the way, Barkley joined the Jazz with a base salary."

"Sir? Didn't the Postman go to the Lakers? ”

"You're retired, Jazz saw an opportunity, and the postman didn't leave."

"Oh, what about the big dream? It's been yelling for years, has he left? ”

"I didn't leave, I signed a big contract with Mosaic for four years and $60 million, and stayed in Houston."

"Haha, give up your dream of the finals for money? Forget it, whether it's for the money or for the championship, it's not cold. ”

"It is said that the Lakers are interested in bringing in Big Dream, but with O'Neal, there is no way to provide Big Dream with an annual salary of tens of millions."

Zhou Quan said: "In fact, Da Meng can only get a long-term contract with an annual salary of 10 million in Mosaic, his body is not good, not much stronger than Barkley, after all, he is almost 35 years old."

Jerry West is not a fool either, and I guess even if the Lakers had space, he wouldn't give Big Dream such a big contract.

The Lakers have a dominant super center like O'Neal, an old and injured big dream, they don't really need it at all, they need it on the outside. ”

“OK。” Philip nodded.

Then he said: "I have been approached by producers from many companies in Hollywood, hoping that I will convince you to star in their films, Zhou, are you really not interested?" With your worth, even if you appear for one minute, the salary will be at least tens of millions of dollars. ”

"Not interested." Zhou Quan immediately shook his head.

"By the way, Zhou, now Amazon's stake is back up." Philip said.

Amazon's stock price fell by about 10% last time due to the impact of the weekly rights retirement, falling as low as $39 and closing at $46 yesterday.

Zhou Quan nodded and said, "I have completed the goal of increasing my holdings by 10,000 lots, what about you, didn't you buy any more?" ”

Philip shook his head and said, "My money has been invested in the promotion of boxing matches, this time I gave 30 million, and Mr. Arum and Mr. Don King each 70 million. ”

"You're getting bigger and bigger?" Zhou Quan teased.

"Isn't that hugging your thighs?" Philip said with a smile.

Zhou Quan has a piece of news that has not been disclosed to others, that is, Jeff Bezos has decided to carry out the first stock split at the end of this year, splitting one share into two shares, expanding the circulation and reducing the stock price, the purpose of which is of course to lower the investment threshold for small investors.

However, it is difficult to say that this news is good and negative, because the company is still in the initial growth stage of burning money, and it is more inclined to be negative, but it is not clear how the market reacts, so he did not tell his friends.

"By the way, Zhou, the sales of the Iron Fist brand have increased a lot in the past two months, and your retirement has not affected sales." Philip said again.

"That's good news." Zhou Quan said happily.

Now he receives tens of millions of dollars in dividends from Iron Fist every year, which is one of his most important incomes.

"Also, Stern fired two more executives, and there are four of those eight guys left."

"That's good news, don't blame me for being too vicious, may God bless them all go bankrupt and sleep on the street."

"Haha, God forbid, bad guys deserve hell."

……

(End of chapter)