NBA: My template has no limit

After lunch, the two headed straight to Beaverton, where Nike's headquarters are located.

They gave their names at the front desk, and twenty minutes later, the two appeared in the office of Howard White, senior director of Nike's basketball business.

"I know you guys already got Camby and Rasheed in the '96 draft, but those two are big men."

After a pause, Tellem continued.

"Xu Feng is the missing piece of your puzzle, a swingman who can fly, dunk, and truly sell shoes. Moreover, he is the most mature perimeter player in this draft class."

Nike was clearly better prepared. Howard White leaned forward slightly and said calmly:

"Unfortunately, we can't offer Kobe a higher contract. We've prepared a 6-year, $4200 million contract for Xu Feng."

"Although this is all the money we're giving you, Nike can promise you that after you finish your rookie year healthy, we can give you a signature shoe and a globally released GG in your second year. These are far more valuable than money."

These are enticing conditions, reflecting Nike's efforts as the largest sports brand giant to defend its title as the world's leading brand.

Thus, the negotiations could finally move to the next stage. Tellem made the request that Xu Feng had told him, a request that surprised even him:

"We need Xu Feng's signature shoes to have their own unique logo and for the intellectual property rights to belong to the player."

As soon as Tellem finished speaking, Howard immediately shook his head, his eyes filled with an unprecedented astonishment:

"Oh, that's unlikely. The ownership of intellectual property rights is directly related to the ownership of the brand itself, and we can't easily let it go."

The two were surprised because no player had ever raised the issue of intellectual property ownership before. The contract template at the time was essentially a "take-it-or-leave-it" clause that implicitly stipulated all derivative creative ideas belonged to the company.

Years later, when the players wanted to register the logo they had designed as a trademark, they discovered that their most recognizable logo was legally irrelevant to them.

This clause actually restricts players who have made a name for themselves and have a huge reputation. They may have won the regular season MVP, been an All-Star for many years, or even been key players in their teams' championship victories.

They were once smug about signing a big contract, thinking they had won. But in the end, they left the league with nothing.

This was a lesson Xu Feng learned from news reports in his previous life; he didn't want to be trapped by the company.

"Howard, even if you cling to the property rights, my players can still start their own businesses and create their own brands after they achieve success."

"How about we solve this problem this way?" Tellum took a piece of paper out of his briefcase and pushed it in front of Howard.

"Ownership clause. Basic terms: Xu Feng's logo intellectual property rights belong to the player himself, and Nike obtains exclusive usage rights during the contract period."

White picked up the paper and glanced at it.

White: "What are the terms of the bet?"

Tellum: "Three milestones, achieving any one of them will permanently activate the ownership clause. First, being selected to the All-Rookie First Team in the rookie season."

Second, average more than 18 points per game in the rookie season, or have shoe sales rank among the top three of the 96 rookie class.

Third, be selected as an All-Star within three years.

Howard frowned: "These conditions are quite difficult..."

"Howard, you know better than I do that if Xu Feng can't even do these things, he's not worth your long-term investment."

But if he does it, the day he does, you'll want him to have been on your side from the very beginning. A player with his own logo won't easily leave a brand that gives him that respect.

"The legal team will hate this clause."

"The legal team's salaries are paid by Nike. Xu Feng's sneakers, on the other hand, are bought by fans. Which would you choose?"

White smiled.

"What about derivative works? You know our design team will definitely be involved in the refinement."

"Add a clause to the contract: Any modifications made by the brand to the logo do not constitute independent creation, and the ownership of related rights is subject to the same clause. If the rights belong to the player, the modified version also belongs to the player. If the performance-based agreement is not reached, all rights will be transferred to Nike."

"As expected of you, Arn! Only you could get such a big contract for Kobe!"

"Deal. But I want to add a clause—if the bet is not reached, not only will the logo belong to Nike, but Nike will also have the right of first refusal to match Xu Feng's next sneaker contract."

Tellem took a sip of coffee from the table and thought for a few seconds.

"Priority matching rights are acceptable, but they cannot be indefinite. The evaluation period for performance-based clauses is three years."

After three years, regardless of the outcome, the property will either belong to him or to you, and your priority matching right will also terminate.

Howard stood up and extended his hand.

"Arne, you're the most difficult agent I've ever met. But I respect that."

Trelem grasped his hand and said with a smile:

"Howard, twenty years from now, you'll be written into sports marketing textbooks for signing this clause today."

Howard shrugged helplessly: "They might also be blacklisted by the legal department."

……

June 26, Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

At 19:30 p.m., the 1996 NBA Draft officially began.

The league invited 17 lottery picks selected by team managers to the Green Room, where they could invite 4 to 6 friends and family members to sit with them.

Xu Feng was listed here. At this moment, Xu Feng's father, Xu Guoqiang, and mother, Song Shufen, were sitting next to him, while Singer and Watts were on the other side.

They flew to the United States a week ago, and Xu Feng used part of the signing fee that Nike had given them in advance to take them on a tour of half of the United States.

Song Shu, Xu Guoqiang's mother, had never been abroad and held his hand somewhat reservedly, while Xu Guoqiang, on the other hand, was very easygoing and sat there as if he were the NBA president.

This is the first Asian family to appear in the Green Room in NBA history.

Singh put on a black suit that matched his skin tone and stared intently at Xu Feng.

"Can't you just act normal?"

"Damn, do you know how handsome you look in a suit!"

"Thank goodness you didn't come with me..."

When Singh saw Xu Feng's parents, he didn't dare to be as open as usual. He lowered his head and whispered to Xu Feng:

"Thank goodness you didn't come with me to pick up girls, or they would all have run off with you!"

"Damn it, you say the same thing everywhere you go; nothing good comes out of a dog's mouth!"

The draft was broadcast live across the United States by TNT. On the broadcast stage, Ernie Jensen was introducing the teams and making draft predictions.

The videotape will be expedited to various parts of the world that evening and is expected to appear on televisions in Eastern households the day after tomorrow.

When David Stern stepped onto the stage with a smile and slowly unfolded the small card in his hand, the entire audience fell silent.

At home, in public squares, and in bars, countless viewers held their breath, waiting for the moment when the answer they had been anticipating for one or two years would be revealed.

"In the 1996 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Allen Iverson with the first overall pick from Georgetown University!"

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers and enthusiastic applause erupted in the arena. The rebellious boy was incredibly reserved at that moment. Iverson had tears in his eyes. After embracing his mother, he walked onto the stage and put on the hat from his hometown team.

Next, the Toronto Raptors selected Marcus Camby, while the Grizzlies, whose tryout invitation was rejected by Xu Feng, selected Rasheed Wallace.

Soon, Stern announced the fourth pick, the position agreed upon with him by the Bucks.

"The Milwaukee Bucks selected the fourth pick—"

"Xu Feng! From DePaul!"