American TV series: Starting with exploiting young Sheldon

“I can also help you draft a business cooperation agreement, provided that I need to use your computer to check the newspaper’s operations.” Sheldon, who is also a child prodigy, showed great interest in cooperating with the newspaper.

"It's settled then. You guys can handle the contract." Mike, happy to have some free time, chose to delegate the task and stay behind to oversee things.

“Alright, we’ll talk about Mike later. Now let’s have our pre-dinner prayers.” Mary smiled as she reminded everyone to prepare for the meal at the sumptuous dinner table.

You know, after Mike's phone call just now, it's almost past lunchtime.

Chapter 247 Winning streak

Time flies and it's the weekend again. The Melford football players boarded the bus to Austin High School.

After Coach Wayne's communication, Austin High School agreed to the invitational tournament against Melford.

Two private cars were following behind the bus heading to Austin High School.

Grandma Connie and Professor John were sitting in a car.

In the other car, Mary was driving, with Sheldon, Missy, and Peggy in tow.

Mary took a day off from church specifically for this special "family gathering".

……

As a long-established sports powerhouse, Austin High School students are just as supportive of football uniforms as Melford students.

Therefore, when Mike and his group arrived at Austin High School, they were greeted by a large group of students holding signs that read "Austin! Go for it!"

As fate would have it, after several home games, the Melford rugby team finally got to enjoy the privilege of playing away.

To reassure the players about their mindset while playing away from home, Coach George spoke up to comfort them after they got off the bus.

Just then, reporter Jack, accompanied by two colleagues from the newspaper, arrived at the Melford bus.

"Hey Mike. We meet again." Jack seemed to be in a good mood, able to continue pushing forward with his "star-making project."

After greeting Mike, he approached Coach George.

“Coach George, hello~” Jack said familiarly, “Could I take some group photos of your team? You know the state newspaper is digging into Mike’s story, so we need more material…”

Coach George was no stranger to Jack and knew that it was Jack who was pushing Mike's "star-making plan".

Therefore, Coach George readily agreed to his request: "No problem, how do we need to cooperate?"

Making it into the newspapers wasn't just Mike's personal affair; it was also a great opportunity for the Melford Football Team to increase their visibility.

After reaching an agreement, Jack's two newspaper colleagues set up their photography equipment and took several group photos of the Melford rugby team.

Afterwards, they took several private photos of Mike separately.

"After the match, don't forget about discussing cooperation with the newspaper."

After taking photos of Mike, reporter Jack smiled and encouraged him, "Go for it!"

This invitational tournament is equally important to Melford High School and the newspaper.

If Melford continues to win, it will solidify its status as a sports powerhouse, and the newspaper will be able to better implement its "star-making plan."

After Mike said goodbye to Jack and returned to the team, George came over excitedly: "Mike, do you think our photo together this time can make the front page of the newspaper?"

A teenager who is sixteen or seventeen years old cannot resist the temptation of fame.

The other members of the team were also silently watching this scene.

"There shouldn't be any problem," Mike replied, giving a satisfactory answer.

Based on the newspaper's continuous coverage over the past seven days, the group photo with Mike is likely to be published next week.

"Great! I never thought I'd be in the newspaper one day!" Little George cheered.

The football players who heard Mike's answer also smiled.

That's a sign that vanity has been satisfied.

"Alright, everyone calm down. We can discuss the newspaper later. Right now, we need to focus on how to beat Austin High School." Coach George brought the players back to their senses.

After reiterating the importance of the competition, he then led the team members to the field to warm up.

Preparing for the upcoming matches...

It may be the recent newspaper reports that have made the Melford rugby team worth considering.

During the warm-up period, Mike noticed several people wearing baseball caps who looked like scouts mingling in the crowd on the sidelines.

Of course, these people are of little significance to Mike.

Soon it was 10 a.m., and the invitational tournament began on time.

Coach George, showing patience, continued to have his players use a combination of long and short balls in the first quarter of the game.

This is to test the team's current actual combat strength.

Compared to their previous opponent, this time Austin High School is significantly stronger, a solid top-ten team in the state.

Last year, they defeated Melford to advance to the Summer League semifinals.

"Aaron, keep an eye on your teammates' positions...pay attention to teamwork..." Comparing the established powerhouses to their historical strength actually made Coach George just as nervous.

Fortunately, Melford's team had a very good rhythm in the first quarter.

With a competent quarterback like Captain Aaron, the Melford Football Team did not fall behind their opponents at the end of the first period.

"Well done, Aaron!" During the first quarter break, Coach George acknowledged Aaron's contribution.

Then, he changed the subject, looking at the other team members, and said, "Of course, you all did a great job too. Now it's time for our counterattack. In the second quarter, I want you to use a dual-core strategy..."

Having grasped the gap in strength between the two sides, Coach George wanted to further control the pace of the game.

Next, Melford, with their strong offensive desire, took the lead in the second quarter.

"Alright, everyone take a break. We'll use the All-Star strategy in the third quarter. Mike, are you okay on your end?" During halftime of the second quarter, Coach George was outlining the tactics for the remainder of the quarter based on the team's situation.

Mike's strong individual ability also made Coach George realize that in the dual-core strategy, Captain Aaron has gradually become a supporting role.

Rather than letting the team continue to practice unsuitable tactics, it's better to let Mike take a gamble.

The "star player" tactic means that the outcome hinges on one person.

Mike did not disappoint in the subsequent matches.

Amid the few cheers from Connie's grandmother and Peggy on the sidelines, he used his exquisite dribbling skills to violently attack Austin's defense time and time again.

As the saying goes, what is held for too long will eventually be lost.

Until the end of the game, Mike's exceptional scoring efficiency allowed Melford to defeat their opponents by a large margin.

"Hi Mike. I'm a scout from Baylor University. Are you interested in learning more about our school's football team?"

"Mike, I'm a scout from Dallas Gard..."

"Have you heard of the Rice University football team?"

When Mike walked off the court after celebrating his victory, he was immediately surrounded by a group of college scouts.

Clearly, Mike's high-caliber victory not only impressed his opponent but also won over the scouts who came to watch the game.

College football leagues are closer to professional games, and therefore have the right to sell tickets.

In this situation, having a star player who can boost ticket sales is very important to them.

Judging from this game, Mike already possesses this potential.

"Sorry, I'm only in eleventh grade this year and have no plans to skip grades and go to college..." Mike, who had received a bunch of business cards, calmly declined the scouts' invitations.

He was perfectly aware of the scouts' intentions.

Because of the regulations of the NFL Development League, there is a clause that prohibits paying salaries to players who are still in school.

This rule was originally intended to ensure the purity of athletes in schools, but it gave college sports associations an opportunity to exploit it.

Given this environment, it's easy to see that the group of college scouts in front of Mike, who were looking to pick up the scraps, were definitely there with the intention of "leeching off" him.

Therefore, even after Mike repeatedly rejected them, the scouts still refused to leave.

Reporter Jack noticed what was happening and, along with two colleagues from the newspaper, escorted Mike aside.

You're really popular now!

After helping Mike avoid the scouts, Jack chuckled and teased him before continuing, "Have you thought it through regarding the collaboration with the newspaper?"

"Of course~ I specifically found several helpers for this." Mike is not careless when it comes to making money.

Just as he was speaking, Connie's grandmother and others arrived.

Among them, Sheldon, with a serious expression and a folder tucked under his arm, looking like a small-time businessman, was particularly eye-catching.

After Coach George finished shaking hands, Mike called him and George Jr. together, and the group followed Jack to the state television station headquarters.

As for the rest of the team, after Mike promised a party, they were taken back to the town of Deford by assistant coach Wayne.

Chapter 248 Cooperation

The Texas (Information and Communications Company) Television Station can be divided into a television information department and a newspaper information department, depending on the form of broadcasting.

In terms of positions, there is no inherent superiority or inferiority between the two departments.

However, it is clear to anyone with discerning eyes that with the continuous development of technology and the increasing popularity of television, the importance of the television section has gradually begun to surpass that of the newspaper section.

As for reporter Jack, although he spearheaded the "star-making plan," his position as team leader was still not among the top ranks within the newspaper headquarters.

When he brought Mike and his group to the state television station, before they even reached the newspaper department manager's office, a sweet-looking secretary took over their work.

"Mike, as far as I know, the newspaper's bottom line is 2.5... Good luck." Before leaving, Jack whispered some inside information to Mike.

Mike, having received inside information, showed no unusual reaction. He gave Jack a meaningful glance, then quietly followed his secretary to the newspaper department manager's office.

Along the way, Mike and his group also attracted curious glances from many TV station employees.

After all, their group included both elderly people and children, making for a rather unusual combination...

The crucial point is that there's also a handsome guy like Mike.

Finally, after turning several corners, the secretary led the group to the manager's office.

"Mr. Mike, the manager is waiting for you inside. As for your friends, I'll arrange for them to wait in the lounge area," the secretary said politely at the door.

“I’m sorry, this is my guardian, and the others are all my family. It’s such an important matter to discuss the contract, I would like them to come with me.” Mike gestured to Connie’s grandmother and the others before stating his thoughts.

"Well... okay~"

The secretary, looking at Mike's handsome face, was also moved by his sincerity, and then said, "Please come with me."

The newspaper department manager was a bald, middle-aged man whose protruding beer belly made him appear somewhat wealthy.

However, his shrewd little eyes made him seem unapproachable.

Upon seeing his secretary walk in with a large group of people, the manager's small eyes showed a hint of surprise, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Manager James, this is Mr. Mike, the man you're looking for. The others are his family members who came with him," the secretary explained to the manager.

Manager James, sitting behind his desk, glanced at everyone again. When he saw Mike, the person involved, his brows furrowed slightly.

Then, he turned to his secretary and said, "Lisa, you're done here. Go make me a cup of civet coffee, and remember to add lots of sugar..."

After dismissing his secretary, he smiled and invited, "Mr. Mike, and your family, please have a seat."

On either side of the desk are two rows of sofas for receiving guests.

However, judging from the way Manager James sat calmly behind his desk, he didn't seem to have any intention of having a close conversation with Mike.

"Oh, look at my memory, I forgot to ask you what you wanted to drink."

After Mike and the others sat down, Manager James asked, feigning apology, "How's the civet coffee? Most people simply can't afford such high-end coffee..."

"Thank you, but I'm not thirsty." Hearing the manager's smug introduction, Mike decisively declined the offer.

This manager, James, seemed to have been hostile ever since Mike and his group came in.

Just like now, his secretary had already left the office to prepare coffee before he feigned concern and asked Mike and the others what they wanted to drink.

This hypocritical approach is even worse than hindsight.

"What is civet coffee? Is it good?" Among the group, little George, who didn't understand the other party's malice, asked curiously in a low voice.

"Civet coffee, also known as Kopi Luwak, is a product made from coffee beans excreted intact by a civet cat after it has eaten coffee cherries..."