"Tell him that in addition to the 10 million U.S. dollars in endorsement fees over six years, Feiyue Sports will launch at least one signature sneaker for Kobe every year!" Li Weidong said.

"Signed sneakers? Are you serious?" James Bond asked with a surprised look on his face.

"Of course I mean it!" Li Weidong paused and then said: "We have to sign Kobe as soon as possible, because the summer league is coming soon. Once Kobe performs well in the summer league, he will be seen by other brands.

If so, it won’t be our turn!”

…

At the North American headquarters of Adidas, the bearded scout found executive Blair again.

"I just received news that the Los Angeles Lakers used their starting center Divac to exchange Kobe's signing rights from the Hornets! It seems that the Lakers are very optimistic about Kobe."

The bearded scout paused and then said: "And Los Angeles is a big city, and the players there will have more commercial value. So I suggest that Kobe should be signed immediately."

"The Lakers may be really optimistic about the young man Kobe, but their main purpose of trading Divac is to free up salary space so that they can sign O'Neal. So I think the signing of Kobe should wait a little longer." Blair

He said calmly.

"Wait? When? Didn't you say before that you would sign him as long as he entered the NBA? Now he has entered the NBA." The bearded scout asked anxiously.

Blair replied: "There are too many uncertainties among high school defenders. I think we need to observe for a while. The summer league will be in a few days, right?

At that time, all rookie players from each team will participate, including some undrafted rookies and players from the Development League. We just want to take a look at the gap between this high school student and an official professional basketball player.

In addition, before the regular season, there is a preseason game, and all the players on the court will be NBA players. We also need to observe whether he can adapt to the NBA game rhythm.

You asked just now when I will wait, I think at least the pre-season will be over before I can make a decision!"

…

Tellem came to Kobe.

"There is good news. The previous sports brand is not only willing to offer you a six-year endorsement contract worth 10 million US dollars, but is also willing to provide you with signed sneakers, no less than one pair every year." Tellem said.

"You mean my signature sneakers?" Kobe also looked surprised.

"If you are willing, you can see your signature sneakers on the market this winter." Tellem continued; "To be honest, I also think this condition is incredible. Signature sneakers can only be enjoyed by superstars.

treatment!”

Compared with simply being an endorsement, compared with launching signature sneakers, they are two completely different treatments.

In the NBA, there are many stars who have signed endorsement contracts with sports brands, but most of them only endorse products, and only a few of them can actually have their own signature sneakers.

In the future 2021, Chinese sports brands will sign many NBA stars. At that time, with the support of Chinese brands, only 22 active players could have signed sneakers.

This also includes stars like Anthony, Rose, and Rondo who are no longer in their playing years, as well as make-up players like McAway.

In 1996, you could count on your fingers the number of active players with signed sneakers.

Jordan has his own AJ brand, which is unique in the NBA.

Grant Hill's Fila GH basketball shoes were the only signature sneakers at the time that could compete with AJ in sales.

In addition, Hardaway, Pippen, Barkley, Robinson, and O'Neal have their own signature basketball shoes.

Other superstars such as Olajuwon, Payton, Karl Malone, and Stockton did not have their own signature shoes in 1996.

Considering that Jordan's AJ brand is almost impossible to copy, launching signature basketball shoes for players is already the highest treatment in a star endorsement contract.

In the 1990s, it was much more difficult to get your own signature basketball shoes than it is now. Superstars could only be considered as the threshold for signature shoes. At that time, there were no has-been stars to make up the number.

Just imagine, so many superstars don't have their own signature boots, but Kobe can have one. What a temptation it is!

For Kobe, 10 million in six years may not be able to satisfy his ambitions, but signature boots are really so fragrant and sincere!

At this moment, Kobe was completely moved!

…

Adidas North America Headquarters.

"We were intercepted!" Blair snorted angrily, and then asked: "What is the origin of Feiyue Sports? Why haven't I heard of this brand before!"

"This is a niche brand in Los Angeles. It used to be mainly trendy, but it is said that this brand was founded in the 1930s and has a long history." The bearded scout introduced.

"The 1930s? You must be bragging! Adidas was only founded in 1949. How can such an unknown brand be older than Adidas!" Blair said with a look of disbelief.

The bearded scout said: "The fact that it was founded in the 1930s should be true. It is said that they still have a pair of sports shoes produced in that year on display in their store. They really look like the style of the 1930s.

And not long ago, they also launched a retro sneaker, which is very similar to the kind worn decades ago. The sales of that shoe are very good. I heard that 300,000 pairs have been sold across the United States!

And this time, they are also going to launch a signature basketball shoe for Kobe! This is a treatment that only a superstar can have. It is said that Kobe’s first signature basketball shoe will be on the market at the end of the year. Kobe is expected to wear his signature sneaker to participate in the National Games.

Star Rookie Game!”

"All-Star Rookie Game? Let's see if he can survive until then! This is the NBA, and maybe within a month, that high school student will be eliminated!"

Blair continued sourly: "Small brands like this don't understand the rules! A high school student who has just entered the NBA has not even played a game, and they gave him signed basketball shoes!"

…

Historically, Adidas did successfully sign Kobe Bryant.

At that time, Adidas only gave Kobe an endorsement contract after the regular season started.

Adidas probably saw Kobe's outstanding performance in the summer league and preseason games and believed that Kobe had unlimited potential, so they decided to sign Kobe.

However, the cooperation between Kobe and Adidas was not happy.

First of all, Adidas was unwilling to give Kobe Bryant a signature pair of shoes, but only let Kobe endorse Adidas sneakers.

Secondly, the sneakers that Kobe endorsed were really ugly in design, so sales were very poor. The worst one was even reduced to $40 and could not be sold.

As a star, the sneakers he endorses cannot be sold. This will not only affect Kobe's commercial value, but also affect his self-esteem.

With Kobe’s unyielding character, he would be embarrassed to wear his sneakers if he didn’t sell them first!

The third is that Adidas was not sincere in renewing the contract. At that time, Adidas gave McGrady a lifetime contract, but not only did Kobe not have a lifetime contract, his renewal price was not as good as Tracy McGrady.

Of course the proud Kobe couldn't accept this. He felt insulted and ultimately would rather pay liquidated damages than terminate his contract with Adidas in advance.

It can be said that Kobe and Adidas are completely a lose-lose cooperation.

…

Six years and 10 million US dollars, plus an endorsement contract for signature basketball shoes, also made Feiyue Sports popular.

In terms of the amount of endorsements, $1,000 for six years is not much.

In the same session, Reebok and Iverson offered a 10-year, 50 million contract, with an average of 5 million per year. In comparison, Kobe's contract was only 1.66 million per year.

It's just that Iverson was the No. 1 pick, and from the moment he entered the NBA, he was branded a superstar.

And Kobe was only a high school student, obviously a developmental hero. He had just entered the NBA at a wretched stage of development, and to get such an endorsement contract was obviously a waste.

What's more important is the signature sneaker. This is something that many superstars want, but it was obtained by Kobe, a high school rookie. There is no one in the entire NBA who has a psychological balance.

Jealousy is human nature. Overnight, Kobe became the target of public criticism and once again received a wave of negative fans.

If you want to wear his crown, you must bear his weight! In the upcoming summer league, countless people are waiting to see Kobe's jokes.

In the first game of the Summer League, the Lakers faced the Pistons, Kobe scored a game-high 27 points.

In the second game of the Summer League, Kobe scored 22 points, which was a slight decline.

In the third game of the Summer League, Kobe only scored 15 points, and the anti-fans started to party.

In the fourth game of the Summer League, the Lakers faced the Suns, Kobe Bryant showed off his power and scored 36 points!

The anti-fans were in dead silence.

In four summer league games, Kobe averaged 25 points per game.

This data in the summer league can already prove that he can become a qualified NBA player!
Chapter completed!