Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 48 Nike’s conditions and Chen Ran’s bargaining chip

The end of the previous chapter was modified, and Nike changed from talking about endorsement to talking about cooperation.

With the protagonist's current achievements, it is too early to talk about endorsements. It would be better to talk about cooperation instead.These giant sports brands will look for young people with outstanding potential all over the world to invest at a relatively cheap price, which can be regarded as an act of scratching lottery tickets.

……

As the world's top sports brand giant, Nike has extraordinary market acumen.

Their market center has always been on football, tennis, and basketball, ball sports that have huge influence and commercial value around the world.

China, which has huge market potential, has always been a region that Nike attaches great importance to.

Nike firmly believes that tennis will become as popular in China as football and basketball.

Four years ago, in 16, Nike had invested in a female tennis player named Li Na, who happened to be [-] years old at the time.

It's just that Li Na seems to have fallen into a bottleneck and has been unable to break through. Many important games will be inexplicably lost. However, Nike does not regret this investment. After all, the amount is not large. Even if the results are not satisfactory, there is not much loss. .

Their principle is that they would rather spend some wasted money than leave the opportunity to their competitor Adidas.

Nike has evaluated that the achievements of 16-year-old Chen Ran have exceeded that of 16-year-old Li Na.

You must know that Li Na won the TIF Hope Competition for the first time.

Chen Ran, 16 years old, is a two-time ITF champion and a men’s tennis player. He is also self-employed and will hardly be disturbed by the system.

The combination of these attractive conditions made Nike aware of Chen Ran's huge investment potential.

They are grateful that they have deep connections in the Chinese sports system. Otherwise, they would regret it if their rival Adidas had taken the lead.

Nike immediately dispatched the person in charge of Eastern Zhejiang District and called Sun Jianye from the Sports Bureau to rush to Dongzhou City.

Apart from keeping his "unnecessary" personal trainer a secret, Chen Ran did not hide any other information. After all, it was not difficult for the Sports Bureau to obtain his information.

"Cooperation?" After Chen Ran came to his senses, his expression quickly changed from initial surprise to calmness.

Unexpected, but also within reason.

He already holds two ITF championships. If Nike doesn’t take action, your competitors will.

Chen Ran stood up, patted his pants, and said, "Nike... OK, let's find a place to talk."

He said hello to the instructor and left with those people.

The instructor was stunned on the spot, unable to react for a long time.

He has led countless high school and university military trainings, and this is the first time he has encountered this situation.

"hey-hey……"

Sun Kai naturally put his hand on the instructor's shoulder: "Instructor, this guy is my buddy and has won two international tennis championships."

The instructor's originally dark face turned even more gloomy: "It's time to rest, let's start training!"

……

The place Chen Ran chose to meet was the school library, which has a huge space and a comfortable environment.

It's during military training now, and no one else will bother me at all.

"Xiao Chen, Mr. Yang is so anxious to find you that he drags me here with him. Nike is our big financier." Director Sun explained to Chen Ran with a warm smile, "Of course We recommended you to Nike." Yang Shichao, as the person in charge of Nike's eastern Zhejiang region, was also observing Chen Ran.

His impression of this boy was that he was stable, without the frivolity and childishness of his age.

Normally, in the past, when Nike executives expressed their willingness to invest in a sixteen or seventeen-year-old athlete, the other person would appear restless and nervous.

But the Chen Ran in front of him was so calm, as if being noticed by a sports giant like Nike, there was nothing to be nervous about.

"Xiao Chen, do you need to inform your parents?" Yang Shichao asked tentatively.

Chen Ran shook his head decisively and replied: "No, I can make the decision myself. My parents don't understand it yet."

Sun Jianye obviously expected Chen Ran's attitude. This kid likes to take the initiative from the beginning.

"Okay, I'm offering a four-year contract with 15 Chinese yuan a year. This is our sincerity from Nike." Yang Shichao showed a professional smile.

"Xiao Chen, Nike is very sincere!" Sun Jianye also added.

Chen Ran rubbed his forehead gently and almost laughed.

15 a year, is this called sincerity?

There is a high probability that he will be able to play on the ATP Tour within two years, or even earlier. This amount of money is really cheap.

In fact, from Chen Ran's perspective, he is more willing to sign with a giant company like Nike in his future career.The reason is simple. In professional sports around the world, the Nike brand has unparalleled influence.

In the future, when he plays against other top players in world-wide competitions, having a giant like Nike behind him can help him eliminate a lot of negative influences on and off the court, including avoiding unfair factors from referees.

To give a very simple example, future NBA superstar Stephen Curry is the superstar with the fewest whistles in the entire league.Because he signed with Under Armor, not Nike, and the NBA is a Nike league.

But this does not mean that Chen Ran will choose to lower his profile when negotiating with Nike.

He knew very well that Nike was arrogant and picky, but they had very few choices in China.

If the scope is limited to ball sports, the only athletes that can attract Nike's attention are football, basketball, and tennis.

China has countless Olympic champions in table tennis and badminton, but they still cannot catch their eye.

In Nike's view, whether it is table tennis or badminton, their commercial value is insufficient and their influence is too low.

Nike has invested in many football and basketball players in China, but in their opinion, only Yao Ming has the potential to become a top player.

The national football team originally had good market prospects, but due to their poor performance in the World Cup, Nike's expectations for them have been greatly reduced.

The only one left is Li Na of tennis, but this girl has a bit of a stubborn temper and likes to contradict the leadership at every turn, which makes Nike feel very uncomfortable.

The sudden emergence of Chen Ran made Nike feel that men's tennis also seemed to have a young talent worth investing in.

Sun Jianye saw that Chen Ran was deep in thought and was silent, so he helped and said, "Xiao Chen, this price is very sincere. There is also a very powerful player in women's tennis named Li Na, who is four years older than you. Nike only invested 8 in her back then. One year. Li Na won the women's singles championship at the Universiade last year and also participated in several WTA events. When she renewed her contract this year, it was only 15 per year."

"Yes, after all, the influence of men's tennis is much greater, so we have also raised the offer." Yang Shichao also agreed, with anticipation in his eyes, "Of course, I also think there are a few people in the men's tennis team with good potential. players are worth investing in."

Chen Ran heard this but still sat firmly on Mount Tai, feeling amused in his heart.

You profiteer, stop talking nonsense. I’m not familiar with other projects, but for men’s tennis, who else can you invest in besides me?

……

(End of this chapter)