Super Bowl Domination

Chapter 939: Simple Friends
“…I’m very happy now, but no one knows whether I’ll continue to be happy in the future, right?”

There was no sarcasm, Kroenke remained calm and spoke slowly, but the room for interpretation left in his words was meaningful.

Levi raised his eyebrows slightly, "If anyone thinks that Silent Stan means literally, they would be dumbfounded right now. Like me."

A small joke, trying to change the subject.

However, Kroenke did not buy it and continued to sell heavy stocks at his own pace without any hesitation.

"You'll be a junior next year. If you come to Los Angeles now, we can give you a contract that will set a record."

The air suddenly became quiet.

In the NFL, rookie players are at the bottom of the food chain and are often not able to sit down and negotiate with the team until the end of their four-year rookie contract. It is for this reason that young and cheap rookie players are called "rookie benefits."

Occasionally, after some top players' junior year, the team will discuss contract renewal with the players a year in advance in order to show sincerity, which is already a special treatment.

However, few teams will initiate 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 asked the team to renew his contract in advance. For this reason, the Carolina Panthers had to pay attention because they believed that Newton was their cornerstone quarterback.

Despite this, the negotiations between the Carolina Panthers and Newton remained deadlocked for more than a year, throughout the entire 2013 season, until the offseason after the end of the season, which was the end of Newton's junior year, when the two sides reached a consensus and finally signed the agreement.

Players have their own needs, but the team is not stupid either.

And now, Kroenke actually gave Levi, a sophomore, a contract for the first time.

And, he's a running back.

It's rare, so rare.

Levi looked at Kroenke and said, "My mother always told me that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Free things 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.

Kronk was amused by Levi's expression, "Really? Are you sure you don't want to hear the terms?"

Li Wei struggled for a moment, "I'm afraid that after hearing this, I might really be moved. I might not be in the mood to watch a movie tonight."

Kroenke was a little surprised. “You are very special. If it were someone else, regardless of whether they would agree or not, they would at least be willing to listen to our offer.”

"Anyway, it's just a number, right? There's no harm in listening to it."

Li Wei shrugged lightly. "I always believe that it is important for people to know themselves. I know that I may be tempted, and I don't deny my desire for salary and benefits. To you, it may be just a number, but for me, it may become the culprit for my sleepless nights in the next few nights."

"So, I should cut off the temptation at the root."

Calm, rational, wise, yet with a sense of self-deprecating humor.

Kroenke looked at it differently, “But aren’t you curious about my numbers?”

Levi, "Yes. But I still choose to refuse because I am worried that you might give me an invitation that I can't refuse."

Kroenke: ... "Were you just imitating the line in 'The Godfather'?"

Levi, "Yes. Welcome to Hollywood?"

Kroenke's eyes were filled with smiles. "Now I am finally sure that we should extend an olive branch."

Li Wei: ??? So all these conversations just now were just tests?
Levi sighed, "Ah, as expected, standing in front of a billionaire, I feel so insignificant. I should leave here as soon as possible and return to Kansas City, where I will regain my confidence."

Kroenke couldn't help it, haha, hahaha.

The laughter can't stop.

Kroenke meant it—everything, just curiosity.

Kroenke owns several professional teams. He established his own management style early on and hired senior executives such as presidents and team managers. These people were selected and screened by him personally, and he then gave them maximum decision-making autonomy, leaving professional matters to professionals.

Because Kroenke clearly understands that his expertise in investing and passion for sports does not mean he is good at managing a team. Maintaining the professionalism and independence of the team is the right way for the team to grow.

Kroenke rarely participates in the team's specific decision-making.

So, the offer of a contract that sophomore Levi could not refuse was just a joke, a small test, and purely out of curiosity.

However, he now sincerely believes that the Los Angeles Rams need a player like Levi——

More than just a running back, or even just an average player.

A superstar, a leader, an important presence who has the ability to change the atmosphere and momentum both on and off the court.

Kroenke is a businessman and he knows the influence a flag can have on the competitive sports market.

Perhaps, Levi is the key, the key that allows the Los Angeles Rams to truly complete their transformation. Not only does he have the ability to challenge for the championship, but he can also change the team's market prospects.

but……

Kroenke wasn't prepared to say anything.

He is not prepared to interfere with the work of the Los Angeles Rams general manager and head coach, nor is he prepared to use his own business insights to interfere with the team's construction and growth.

Because he knew it was a very stupid thing to do.

Putting aside other things, at least Kroenke will do the math. The NFL has a hard salary cap. If they give Levy a big check, it means adjustments must be made in other positions; if they are ready to make history, it means that the space and magnitude of the adjustments may be devastating.

Therefore, Kroenke was not prepared to speak, and he would not even say, "I personally think Levi is suitable for our team."

Continue to remain silent.

But this did not affect Kroenke's appreciation for Levi. He thought, maybe he and Levi could become friends.

They are not the kind of friends who exchange true feelings and drink and chat happily, but the kind of gentlemen friends who respect each other and talk about life.

At least, it was a good night.

With a smile still on his face, Kroenke looked at Levi, "Not just you. It's the same for me."

Levi, "Oh, why?"

Kroenke: "Here, they look at me in two ways: one is 'I should convince him to invest 50 million US dollars in my film project'; the other is 'Is that old guy an unemployed vagrant who got in by selling security?' I don't think I'm suitable for life in Los Angeles."

Levi also smiled.

Kroenke, "So I still like Montana, being in the middle of nowhere, away from humans."

Levi shook his head slightly. "There is a difference here. Some people stay in Montana, where they live in a primitive state with nothing to offer and the sky as their blanket and the ground as their bed. Some people live in their own $300 million mansions with ninety-nine servants serving them. That is not staying away from humans at all."

"I only have fifteen servants in my house."

"Oh, fifteen. That sounds like a small number."

"Yes, it takes fifteen minutes to drive from the kitchen to the living room. If you imagine, that's really not much."

“Haha, is this billionaire humor?”

After some conversation, they actually had a very pleasant conversation.

(End of this chapter)