NBA: Yao Ming at his peak returns to his rookie season

Bob just got back into the car.

His private phone received a message from Yao Ming.

Although they just experienced an exorbitant demand, the market that Yao Ming represents is very special and unique.

So Bob returned to the long table, and negotiations resumed.

A 1 million yuan endorsement fee is definitely not a price Adidas can afford right now.

Unless Adidas decides to forgo McGrady's or Kobe's contracts.

"So, Yao, do you have any other thoughts? Of course, personally, I think no other conditions can compare to the fragrance of Dao Le."

Bob sat down and looked at the composed Chinese youth in front of him.

Calm, powerful, and composed, Yao Ming is unlike many NBA players Bob has ever met.

They are hot-tempered and direct, not stingy with flaunting their wealth, nor with their desire for money.

Yao Ming has a completely different style and state of mind.

"Mr. Bob, a $1 million endorsement fee will affect your future strategic plans, but this is something I urgently need. I have inside information that Nike has reached a shoe contract with LeBron that is far more expensive than Tracy's, and it is even the largest shoe contract in history."

Bob really didn't know anything about this.

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were eligible to sign shoe deals long ago. Last season, Adidas offered James a four-year, $27 million contract and Anthony a four-year, $16 million contract.

Unfortunately, the NBA changes very quickly.

The prices that could entice McGrady and Kobe back then are simply not enough to sway these two future superstars now.

Their appetites are even greater.

Negotiations were put on hold until they entered the NBA, but Bob really didn't know about the hook's super big contract.

But that doesn't stop him from considering what Yao Ming said.

Because it's very likely true. As a long-time rival, Bob knows a bit about Adidas, and they are indeed more aggressive than Adidas when it comes to pricing.

Yao Ming presented a new contract.

Bob got up, took the book, and started flipping through it. Soon, disbelief flashed in his eyes.

It's like watching a madman.

"Yao, are you sure you want to do this? Although it looks like a standard 1 million contract, and you might even get more, Yao, it could also significantly reduce the amount of money you actually pocket!"

Mr. Bob, with his early Mediterranean hairstyle, is indeed a reliable person.

There was no aggressiveness.

Let the data and contracts speak for themselves.

If Bob had been the one negotiating when Kobe changed contracts, it's highly likely Kobe wouldn't have switched to Shooting Helms.

The information and contract provided by Yao Ming were very rigorous.

And bold.

Yao Ming has already registered a company in China called "Adiwang," but it's currently just a shell company with only one patented insole technology.

It doesn't matter whether it's the company or the name.

What really attracted Bob was the insole technology.

As a professional athletic shoe company, Bob knows all too well the value of this product; if it were to negotiate patent licensing fees, it would probably cost tens of millions every year.

The second point is Yao Ming's brilliance.

After he signed an endorsement deal with Adidas, two versions will be released in parallel: a special edition for China and a regular edition. The former will be produced domestically by Adidas' technical staff and then sold in China.

The latter is produced and sold by the United States.

To expand territory.

David Stern spent ten years building his NBA empire in China, enduring countless days of waiting in the cold wind in front of the CCTV office building.

Now Adidas can acquire it effortlessly.

The investment was negligible.

Because once the strategic partnership is reached, Adidas only needs to pay a small fee to produce other sneakers on Adidas King's production line.

This is even more important than Yao Ming's contract itself.

This shows that they opened up the Chinese market faster than Hook.

The last point is the contract model provided by Yao Ming.

The contract, totaling 1 million yuan over 7 years, is the highest-priced sneaker contract in history. However, Yao Ming will only take 200 million yuan in cash each year. The rest of the price will be earned through various reward programs, including All-NBA Team selection, MVP award, All-Star selection, playoffs, championship, and stats leader awards.

Although the total reward terms even exceed one hundred million.

However, Adidas's expenditure was far less than the signing figures, and no one would have thought that Yao Ming could have won so many honors at the start of his rookie season.

If one or two tasks are completed, Adidas might only pay four or five million.

It's practically free money! Even if Yao Ming's shoes aren't actually sold, they'll still make a killing just by getting the rights to use the insoles!

Mr. Bob took a deep breath to calm himself down, sensing that immense wealth was about to arrive.

"Yao, your plan is perfect, but it's not something I can decide on my own. Please give me some time. I will definitely finalize the contract before the All-Star Game starts."

Bob is also a bit sly.

Yao Ming raised his hand to stop Bob from speaking: "I have registered more than one shoe brand, and I have registered brands not only in China. Mr. Bob, my net worth changes every game and every day. 1 million over 7 years, plus 20% of the domestic distribution rights, is just today's price. The next negotiation can only be for the next price. I cannot promise you anything."

"I need to contact Mr. Jones now; he's the regional president for Adidas," Bob said, and immediately started making a call.

It is now 1 a.m.

But Bob dared not waste a single second.

About 30 minutes.

Just when Bill Duffy's patience was about to run out, Bob returned with a new contract.

The contract is for 7 years and 1 million, plus a special clause of 2000 million+.

The contract stipulates that Adidas will produce at least three pairs of basketball shoes for Yao Ming within five years, with domestic distribution handled by Adidas King. The total cost includes not only the manufacturing fee but also a 20% profit share.

The production line costs will be covered by Adi contributing technology and 20% monetary cost, while Adiwang will contribute the site and 80% monetary cost, resulting in a 50/50 shareholding for both parties.

The specific technical treaty for insoles still needs to be examined.

However, if the data is the same as what Yao Ming provided, they will purchase it for an additional 8 million yuan per year in patent fees, with a five-year contract.

Finally, there's Yao Ming's special clause.

In addition to the standard 200 million yuan annual dividend from sneakers, he will also receive 5% of the sneaker sales revenue.

Yao Ming receives corresponding bonuses for his achievements such as All-Star selection, playoff appearance, championship, MVP, and statistical leader.

If you receive at least two award clauses each year for three consecutive years.

This will activate the 2000 million special clause.

The bonus will be distributed in a lump sum at the end of the season!

This time, Adidas has really gone all out, and with its reputation so strong, this will be a super contract worth 120 million!

Adidas gained fame and tangible benefits in the Chinese market.

And Yao Ming got what he wanted, not just money. Money is important, but he saw something more.

Adiwang was recruited by Adi's regular army.

Starting today, there will be no more fake sneakers or fake aces that were squeezed out of the market in our past lives.

More importantly, the US is loosening its technological blockade in the sneaker industry, and Adidas will bring a lot of technology into China.

The negotiations have finally come to an end.

Yao Ming personally saw Bill Duffy and Bob off. Unlike before, this time the three of them were close comrades with shared interests.

It was at this time that Bob mentioned another matter to Yao Ming.

Bob is the manager for the Dallas area.

This was entirely because Bill Duffy's actions were so sudden that he was forced to travel across regions to New Jersey to discuss this business deal.

The message he brought was that the situation had been very bad recently.

The Mavericks may not renew his contract.