America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 6. Superstars Can't Afford to Play

"Have you ever followed football?" Eric asked.

The three men and one woman looked at each other, completely bewildered. But it's understandable that they were confused, since America in 2002 could still be described as a football wasteland.

In this country, the most popular sports are rugby, basketball, ice hockey, and baseball.

As for English football, who likes playing that effeminate sport? Is your physical contact as intense as American football (rugby)? A sport created by the British, daring to associate itself with my great America, go to hell!

In the United States, the market share has long been divided up by the major sports. Although football is popular all over the world, just like cricket dominates India, football just can't enter the market of many countries.

Just as Chinese people don't play baseball, Chinese chess can't go global. Different cultures just won't work!

"Okay, it seems you guys don't understand, but that's okay. You don't need to watch or understand football, you just need to know how to bet. I'll give you instructions."

Billy crossed his arms, his gaze grave. "Eric, this isn't a good plan. I've never heard of anyone getting rich through gambling."

Bordeaux also disagreed with the plan: "Besides, we study finance, not mathematics, otherwise we could try our luck in Las Vegas."

Warren added, "Besides, I've heard that major betting companies manipulate the games behind the scenes. They can decide who wins, and it's extremely difficult to make money off them."

Warren's statement reflects many people's perception of match-fixing, and such things do exist, such as the Calciopoli scandal, which caused a huge uproar.

But that was just a regular league, while this time Eric is facing the World Cup, which is much harder for betting companies to manipulate.

There are many reasons, but the simplest one is that the market value of those star players has exceeded that of the vast majority of betting companies in the world.

They rent out their chest area for tens of millions in fees, why would they risk taking your dirty money to fix a match? No one with a normal brain would do that.

Moreover, the World Cup is held every four years. How long is an athlete's career? How many four-year periods does an athlete have? Nobody knows if this will be their last World Cup.

For star players who have earned enough money, honors are more important than money.

Moreover, even if the betting companies manage to secure one or two players, it won't make a difference. If they don't secure half of the players, it won't be decisive, but the cost of doing so is too high, and the betting companies can't afford it.

Furthermore, the real profit of betting companies comes from their commission; regardless of who wins, as long as people gamble, they can make money.

Therefore, legitimate betting companies actually hate match-fixing the most, because match-fixing hurts people, and if people are hurt, they will stop betting. If no one gambles, how can they make money?

During the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, the host country did not want to lose too embarrassingly, so the South Korean government came up with a crooked idea to bribe other teams, but was rejected by all the teams.

So South Korea pulled some dirty tricks. If they couldn't bribe the team, couldn't they at least bribe the referee? One person is easier to deal with than twenty-two, right? And so, the dirtiest World Cup ever was born.

How destructive is this kind of shady tactic?

It was so big that it bankrupted many betting companies because of all the unexpected upsets, leaving their analysts dumbfounded.

Thus, an incredibly surreal scene unfolded: following the Korea-Japan World Cup, major betting companies around the world jointly called for fair and just competition and rejected match-fixing!

At the same time, these companies also proactively disclosed their own finances and required all star players to disclose their finances so that fans could supervise them, reject match-fixing, and start with themselves! But Hebei China Fortune did not seem to respond.

This move also received strong support from global anti-black money organizations.

Anti-black money organizations supporting online gambling companies—isn't that absurd?

Therefore, the Korea-Japan World Cup is the most lucrative tournament, and it is Eric's only opportunity at present.

Eric's three best friends were skeptical of his plan, so he looked at Judy, who shrugged and said, "I have no objection. It's not my money anyway. So, what do you need us to do?"

Eric loved Judy's straightforwardness: "See? It's my money anyway, what are you worried about? Just treat it as a game, a game worth millions, never played one before, huh?"

"Besides, you don't even need to pay taxes on the money you win from gambling; the company has already paid it for you in advance. Anyway, that's the decision!"

Eric didn't care, and the three of them remained silent, waiting for the other party to give orders.

"I plan to divide the $1000 million into five equal parts, with each person holding $200 million. The four of you will go to the UK, Macau, Singapore, and Brazil respectively, while I will stay in the country."

"This trip may be somewhat risky, so I will provide each of you with a bodyguard, but please try to keep a low profile."

"The World Cup ends in a month, and you can return home immediately. It's that simple!"

Eric assigned them bodyguards partly for their safety, but also, of course, for surveillance.

They will all be facing a huge sum of money in a month, so it's more reliable to get insurance.

Judy chuckled, "So this is a paid trip for us? Well, I won't be polite then! I've always wanted to see Asia. Singapore is a great city. What's it called again? The Garden City, right?"

"Then I'll go to England. I've always wanted to have an authentic British meal and see if what those British guys say is true."

Eric patted Warren on the shoulder: "I suggest you don't go. Compared to authentic Chinese cuisine, British food is like a pile of shit. Go to Macau instead. When you come back, I guarantee you'll have gained at least 10 pounds and you'll be scornful of Chinese restaurants in America."

Warren's face fell: "That won't do. I'm trying to lose weight, and delicious food will ruin my plans. I'd rather stay in England."

Bordeaux chuckled and said, "Are you sure? Britain is known for having a lot of gay men. Your ass is so white and tender, you might get kicked!"

"Well"

Billy licked his lips: "I've heard that Brazilian women are passionate and outgoing, I think this will be an unforgettable trip."

Before he could finish speaking, Judy's eyes lit up: "Let's switch places. That place suits me better. You go to Singapore."

Why?

Judy clenched her fist: "Do you want to fight?"

"Okay, okay, you win, ma'am, but be careful not to get sick. I don't think Eric will pay for it," Billy teased, winking at her.

The final decision was made: Warren went to Macau, Billy went to Singapore, Bordeaux went to England, and Judy went to Brazil.

Although Brazil in 2002 was not as chaotic as it would become in later years, drugs and gangs were still rampant, so Eric decided to hire two bodyguards for Judy.

After all, that was the city of God, a city abandoned by God.

Eric's father was very efficient; after the party, Eric had an extra $1000 million in his account.

The next day, the four of them boarded planes bound for their respective destinations.

In the morning sunlight, Eric drove home. The clouds over the Tianshan Mountains seemed to transform into banknotes, and Franklin figures were grinning from ear to ear.

Happy holidays everyone!

(End of this chapter)