America's Road to Wealth

In the Brandy restaurant.

Abel smiled and said to Dayao: "Are you still used to living in the United States?"

Young Dayao smiled honestly: "Fortunately, people here take good care of me."

Dayao is talking about CAA's agent.

In CAA, although Abel only holds about 36% of the shares.

But this share has allowed him to firmly become the chairman.

After he became the boss of MGM and gained his current social status and reputation.

Invisibly, it also strengthened his status in CAA.

Now even if Abel's shares are lowered some.

The shareholders of CAA will most likely still let him be the chairman.

In the United States, Abeldu has become a famous brand in the famous brand effect to a certain extent.

This also makes his influence on CAA unprecedentedly large.

Bigger than founder Michael Ovitz.

The shareholders of CAA are not so stupid to prevent such a big boss from becoming the chairman.

It is for this reason.

Abel didn't have to do anything to CAA, but his influence on CAA was growing day by day.

Therefore, we only need to let CAA's agent know that Abel attaches great importance to Dayao.

Naturally, the attitude of these people towards Dayao became very good.

Moreover, after Abel took control of CAA and Michael Ovitz returned to the company.

In addition to continuing to maintain its original entertainment brokerage business, caa.

Currently, we are also vigorously developing the brokerage business in sports events.

The four major leagues in the United States are a feast not to be missed, and the NBA is naturally the focus of CAA.

Since the boss attaches so much importance to this Chinese person.

In addition, the company would also focus on developing the NBA business.

CAA also pays special attention to Dayao.

Just a reminder - Dayao's main agent is the same as Scarlett Johansson's main agent.

That's Mr. Derek Wright.

This is a person in charge named by Abel for Dayao.

Because Abel knew that Derek Wright was very smart and could judge his intentions.

After understanding Abel's intentions, Derek Wright naturally took good care of Dayao's life in the United States.

So much so that young Chinese people have a good impression of this capital country.

It made Dayao feel that capitalists are so gentle.

Little Giant doesn't know that this is just because there is a super capitalist who pays more attention to him.

Only other small capitalists, or lackeys of capitalists, would take him so seriously.

"It's good if you can adapt." Abel smiled and nodded. He looked at Dayao's body shape, "You look too thin. It may be okay in your country, but not in the NBA. The NBA is full of muscular guys. , too thin and too easily injured.”

Dayao also knows this.

Dayao has no income when he comes to the United States, and he doesn't even have a contract.

Derek Wright has been funded and named by CAA.

Within a few days, a professional physical trainer and nutritionist were found for Dayao.

This part of the fee is euphemistically called early investment, and CAA will be paid out first.

Later, when Dayao has income, it will be deducted from his income.

This kind of treatment is only available to Dayao who is personally ordered by the boss.

Michael Ovitz signed and supported it, and the giant Buddha of Abel stood behind it.

Even if someone in CAA has an idea, they don't dare to put it forward.

"I am already gaining muscle and weight, and I am receiving the guidance of nutritionists and trainers here." Dayao said honestly.

Abel smiled and nodded again.

Next, Abel didn't know what to say.

Let’s talk about basketball. Actually, Abel doesn’t like basketball much.

Abel before his rebirth preferred football, while the original Abel Smith liked baseball.

In terms of basketball, Abel before his rebirth, during his junior high school and high school years, happened to coincide with the years when Dayao was playing in the NBA.

He and his classmates watched it together, were fascinated together, and enjoyed the atmosphere together.

In other words, Abel’s memories of basketball and the NBA all come from Dayao.

It was precisely because of this feeling that when he bought his own basketball team, he thought of bringing Dayao over in advance.

For Abel, this can be regarded as a kind of sentiment.

For ordinary people, it probably means working when they grow up and getting their first salary.

When you have money, you will want to buy back the toys you bought when you were a child because you had no money.

But after buying it back, I found that apart from feelings, I no longer needed this toy.

After realizing this, Abel directly asked Alan Baker next to him to call George Postellos, the current general manager of the Houston Rockets.

The current general manager of the Rockets is not that thunder yet.

George Postellos joined the Rockets in October 1998 and is responsible for all aspects of business management.

In the process of Abel's acquisition of the Houston Rockets, George Postelos was also taken over by this team.

Abel did not have the right talent on hand at the time.

In addition, George Postellos can still make the Rockets profitable under a stingy boss like Alexander. This is already a good management talent.

Abel did not let George Postellos leave, but allowed him to continue as the general manager of the Rockets.

Abel wanted to see Dayao today, but in fact George Postellos had already been waiting outside.

As soon as the call was made, George Postellos walked in respectfully.

Abel didn't know George Postellos either, but the other party knew him.

After confirming that this is the general manager of the Rockets.

Abel pointed directly at Dayao, which made the latter a little at a loss.

"The tall man sitting in front of you is the cornerstone of my Rockets team for the next ten years."

Abel said to George Postellos:

"His mission is to serve as the cornerstone of the team and fight for the Rockets."

"My mission is to stand behind you and provide you with support, including but not limited to funding."

"And you, George, your task is to match him with players and other configurations that can win the championship. Can you do it? George."

In his heart, George Postellos was very surprised at how much the boss paid attention to this Chinese man.

On the way in, even before that.

George Postellos has already seen Dayao's information.

Honestly, after George Postellos watched it.

The general manager of the Rockets thinks that besides height.

Compared with many NBA rookies this season, Dayao's conditions in all aspects can only be regarded as excellent in some statistics and generally passable at best.

In other words, Dayao is not the best in terms of statistics.

What's more, Dayao in 2001 had one year less experience in the CBA than he did in 2002.

He is indeed more green and less capable.

But reality is reality, and the boss’s will is the boss’s will.

Compared with the two, George Postellos naturally pays more attention to the boss's will.

"Understood. I can do it." George Postellos said to Abel seriously:

"I will definitely create a system for Yao that is most suitable for him! It will definitely bring good results to the Rockets!"

Abel nodded with satisfaction, although it was actually just feelings.

But after having Abel's level of wealth and power.

Many times, feelings will be something that people like him cherish.

This is just like there are many rich people in China who like to remember the bitter and sweet after becoming famous.

What they actually remember is not something from the past.

What they remember is actually their lost youth.

It just happened that something carried their memories during their youth.

Things like this become the past they cherish.

This is what is called emotion.

For Abel, Dayao is one of the carriers of the lost youth in junior high school and high school.

Abel was willing to spend what he considered a small amount of money for his feelings.

Abel stood up and patted George Postellos on the shoulder.

"Then I'll leave him to you. By the way, I should be there to watch this year's NBA draft."

No matter what he thought, George Postellos didn't know why.

Abel would think so highly of this Chinese man.

But what Abel said next made George Postellos feel happy.

Since Abel acquired the Rockets, he has not been to the Rockets headquarters so far.

This was a cruel thing for the Rockets, who were all excited about being acquired by Abel.

When they were first acquired, the Rockets were collectively very excited.

Everyone has long had enough of Alexander's stinginess.

If you can replace any boss who is not stingy, everyone will be happy.

Then the stingy boss changed, and a top-notch super-rich man was directly appointed as the team boss.

This super rich man is also recognized by the media as one of the most generous bosses to his subordinates.

At that time, everyone felt that the Rockets had become the other party's company.

Doesn't it mean that they can also welcome the most generous boss in the United States?

Then wouldn’t everyone’s treatment be improved?

Anyway, the entire Rockets team, including the players, thought so at the time.

It turns out that Abel bought the Rockets.

But they just sent a professional manager to come over and declare their sovereignty.

Then two more accountants were sent over to take over the Rockets' financial work.

In other respects, let alone Abel himself.

Even few people from Abel's side came to take a look.

The Rockets, acquired by Abel, felt abandoned over time.

It is true that the former boss Alexander was very stingy, but Alexander would appear in the team at least a few times every week.

Now if it were Abel, he wouldn't even come once.

Everyone on Team Rocket was a little panicked because of this.

They were afraid that Abel would sell them again, and even more afraid that the next buyer would be a stingy guy like Alexander again.

George Postellos came to New York this time, ostensibly for Dayao.

In reality, there are also attempts on behalf of the team management to find out what the boss means to the Rockets.

George Postellos didn't feel what the owner meant to the Rockets.

But now George knows that the boss attaches great importance to this tall Chinese man.

I even attach great importance to it to the extent that I will participate in the NBA draft and watch the show.

George Postelos felt that if the boss really went to the scene.

That boss will probably become the richest and highest-status viewer in the history of NBA draft shows.

By then, the Rockets will surely become one of the most watched NBA teams because of this owner.

This means that George Postellos is thinking in his mind that he wants the boss to focus on the team.

Maybe it will fall on the tall Chinese man in front of me.

This made the general manager look at Dayao more and more friendly.

It's like looking at a baby.

This also made Dayao even more flattered. The little giant felt as if he had become a favorite after coming to the United States.

Are Americans so good?

The little giant who was still a little confused thought.

But this is actually just an attitude of remembering and protecting Abel towards one of his many feelings.

Just like this, George Postellos and CAA's Derek Wright have the same attitude towards Yao as a big baby.

What is good at the top will be bad at the bottom.

That's probably what I'm talking about.

After meeting the young Yao once, I realized my childhood feelings.

Abel's focus has shifted away from F1 and the NBA, which are more entertainment for him.

His focus was on the integration of his media companies.

Currently, Abel owns many media companies.

MGM and its subsidiaries (Marvel, Dark Horse, DreamWorks, Pixar, etc.).

AMC Television, AB Smith Newspapers, AB Smith Entertainment, Elizabeth's Back Garden and many more.

These companies, except for AB Smith Entertainment, which has some jurisdiction, basically operate independently.

At most, they are just business cooperation between brother companies.

This situation is obviously not conducive to the circulation between resources and channels.

On the advice of an advisory panel.

Abel decided to integrate them and bring them all under one group.

Just like Time Warner, News Corporation, Hearst Corporation, ABC Disney Group.

This job is actually not that difficult.

The main reason is that almost all of the above-mentioned companies are companies wholly owned by him.

He is the chairman of so many companies by himself.

The greatest power over them all, the integration sent by Abel, they could not resist.

So on May 25th.

Abel summoned all the heads of these companies to New York.

All were called to Woolworth House.

Negotiations for the acquisition of Woolworth Building are almost complete.

Several major consortiums have agreed to sell their shares in the building to Abel under his sincere offer.

Currently, only the last 10% of minority shareholders are still in negotiations.

But this is only a matter of time, and the ownership issue is expected to be resolved next month.

By then, the entire Woolworth Building will be owned by Abel.

Abel plans to place the headquarters of the integrated media group here.

Calling everyone over is also a way to let everyone know the way in advance and know where the group headquarters is.

The first high-level meeting of Smith Media Group.

It was also on this day that it was held on the 33rd floor of the Woolworth Building, the original headquarters of Smith Capital.

Robert Iger, Michael Levine, Dylan, Richard Plepler and other media company executives also arrived at the scene.

After CAA's Michael Ovitz heard about this meeting, Ovitz also wanted to come.

However, Abel only holds about 36% of the shares of caa, and does not have absolute control.

Abel was too lazy to carry out equity splitting after the integration, plus he already had a new love in MGM.

The old love of caa is no longer as important as it used to be.

Not including CAA in its territory can also prevent CAA from being boycotted by other media giants.

This is also good for CAA itself.

But Abel eventually asked Michael Ovitz to come to the meeting.

I am attending this meeting in Ovitz's personal capacity, not as the CEO of CAA.

The meeting takes place at ten o'clock in the morning.

At half past nine, the leaders of these media companies had all arrived in the conference room and were waiting.

The meeting hasn't started yet, and the boss hasn't come yet.

These elites in the media industry smiled and got to know each other first.

Because if there are no accidents, after the group integration is completed.

After this, everyone will become colleagues.

One of these people may even become everyone's immediate boss and become the CEO of the group company.

In terms of relationships, if we can naturally get along better, then we should get along better.

The conference room was very lively for a while, everyone was talking to each other, and the atmosphere was very friendly.

It wasn't until around ten o'clock that the door to the conference room was opened from the outside.

Abel walked in first, and everyone in the conference room suddenly fell silent.

Everyone looked up at Abel, who was walking in front with a smile, followed by Alan Baker and David Jones from the advisory group.

"Good morning, everyone." Abel greeted everyone as he walked towards the main seat.

Everyone naturally responded to the boss with a smile, and the atmosphere was joyful.

After Abel sat down on the main seat, he smiled and said:

"Everyone should already know the purpose of today's meeting. Yes, you can no longer work alone like this. I want to bring you together and make you one of the most powerful media groups in the United States and even the world!"

"Now, let me announce one thing first, that is - Smith Media Group, which ranks eighth in the world and sixth in the United States, is officially established today!"

As soon as Abel finished speaking, Michael Ovitz, who was relatively close to him at the conference table, was the first to applaud.

The other senior executives were stunned and quickly applauded too.

There was thunderous applause in the conference room for a while, until Abel smiled and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

The applause then disappeared.

Abel's voice sounded again: "The specific integration work and internal structural adjustment work will be held later. This aspect will not be discussed at the meeting."

"Today's meeting will mainly discuss two things."

"the first thing"

Having said this, Abel paused deliberately and smiled at everyone present: "The first thing is probably also the thing you are most concerned about."

"The first thing is that in addition to myself, who will serve as the chairman of Smith Media, the group will also internally introduce a chief executive officer who will be responsible for the daily management of the group and coordinate the work of various departments and subsidiaries, that is, the CEO !”

Just like Abel said.

Who will become the CEO of this new and huge media group is what everyone here is most concerned about.

The person who is qualified to be the CEO is smiling on the outside, but he is a little nervous in his heart.

Those who were obviously unqualified looked at several qualified people.

Among them, it seems that the person most qualified to be the CEO at present should be the CEO of MGM Entertainment, that is, Robert Iger.

In the current Smith Media Group, MGM Entertainment is the largest subsidiary in terms of scale and importance.

It is reasonable for the group's most important company leader to serve as the group's CEO.

So everyone thinks that Robert is the most likely to become the first group CEO.

But in addition to Robert, there are two other people who may hold this important position.

One is Michael Levine.

Within Abel's media company, everyone knows that Abel trusts this person very much.

Michael Levine can be said to be the first media person to seek refuge with Abel and the first media person to work for Abel.

In addition, everyone knows that although there are many boss women, there are always one or two who have a special status.

Among them, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba are quite special.

As the son of Anne Hathaway’s mother’s godfather, Michael Levine has a natural advantage in this regard.

Although Robert is most likely to become CEO, Michael Levine also has some hope.

In addition to these two people, another Michael, Michael Ovitz, also has hope.

Michael Ovitz is currently the most senior person in the media and entertainment industry among the entire group of companies.

As early as the late 1980s, Michael Ovitz was already one of Hollywood's giants.

At that time, Robert and Levine had just entered the industry!

And Michael Ovitz was also one of the first media people to work for Abel, only a few days after Michael Levine.

What's more, he is the CEO of CAA, and CAA will not be merged into the group.

All can participate in this group's highest-level meeting.

That means that the boss also trusts him.

So Michael Ovitz is also expected to take over.

Now I just don’t know who the boss will choose to take over.