Capítulo 309: Chapter 309: Stadium Troubles
Early in the morning, Arthur, who had been lying on Nicole Kidman, rolled off and gave her a weak kiss on her chest. "Not planning to get up?"
Nicole Kidman blushed, "Let me rest a bit longer; I don't feel like going out today!"
"Alright, there's nothing much going on anyhow," Arthur wasn't planning on getting up either.
Unfortunately, two hours later, Arthur got up and left the Bel Air estate. Frank Gray, the chairman of the Los Angeles Clippers, had informed him that Lakers' owner Jerry Buss wanted to meet him.
At the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Arthur accepted Jerry Buss's lunch invitation. "Tell me, Mr. Buss, what's this about?"
Jerry Buss smiled. "I heard you're planning to build a new sports arena in Los Angeles, is that true?"
Arthur nodded. "Sterling moved the team's home arena to Anaheim this summer, which is too far for me. Plus, the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena is too outdated to be our home arena. Building a new, multifunctional sports arena in Los Angeles can solve this problem well.
Why do you ask? You are not comfortable with the Great Western Forum for the Lakers? Thinking of building a new one too?"
Arthur wanted to build a new arena in downtown Los Angeles, and the Lakers would be the biggest opponents. A new, large, state-of-the-art arena downtown would make the Great Western Forum even more awkwardly positioned.
"That's not it," Jerry Buss just shook his head. "Arthur, the sports market in Los Angeles is already pretty saturated.
Look, the NFL has the Raiders in Los Angeles, and the Rams in Anaheim.
MLB has the Dodgers in Los Angeles and the Angels in Anaheim.
As for the NHL, we have the Kings in Los Angeles and last year, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks were established.
Now, for the NBA, having the Lakers remain in Los Angeles and the Clippers resettled in Anaheim is a good choice!"
"Hmm?" Arthur stared into Jerry Buss's eyes. "Jerry, you really have this kind of idea? And you even dare to say it to my face?"
Arthur laughed and looked at Jerry Buss with a cold gaze.
"Afraid the new Clippers' arena will threaten the Lakers' standing?" Arthur shook his head, put down his knife and fork, and wiped his mouth.
"Do you really think some under-the-table tactics can stop the Clippers from building a new arena? The Clippers will no longer be the miserable team they were under Sterling. The future Clippers will definitely become the kings of Los Angeles!"
With that, Arthur stood up and left the restaurant.
If he stayed any longer, he feared he wouldn't control his temper and might actually take a swing at Jerry Buss.
Jerry Buss watched as Arthur Smith left without a second thought, feeling somewhat guilty but unable to call him back.
Last season, the Lakers had barely secured the eighth spot in the Western Conference and were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, finishing behind the Clippers.
This season, they had even brought Magic Johnson out of retirement to replace Randy Pfund as head coach, just to get better results.
The current Lakers were in a rebuilding phase and didn't have much competitiveness.
In the evening, at a club in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles, Arthur met with Mayor James Hahn and several city council members to inquire about the progress of the new arena project.
"Arthur, you know, building a new arena in the city center takes up substantial space and various issues need to be addressed," said James Hahn, although supportive of Arthur's idea, acknowledging the complexity and time-consuming nature of such a venture.
"My friends, I'm not asking the city government for a single penny. Building a new arena will solve some employment issues in Los Angeles and boost the city's economic development.
From cultural, sports, and tourism perspectives, it's an excellent promotion. The NBA's popularity decreased after Michael Jordan's retirement, and ticket sales have dropped for all teams.
The Clippers have always been an underdog, and I want to improve their competitiveness, which will also positively affect the city's reputation!"
Arthur was chiefly provoked by Jerry Buss, who hoped the Clippers would just stay in Anaheim and never return.
James Hahn exchanged a glance with a council member beside him and sighed, "Arthur, we support you, but there are other city council members with their own representative interests."
Arthur closed his eyes and thought. "I can give up the Koreatown and South Central Los Angeles redevelopment projects to them. How about that?
I invested $30 million in this project through TPG Capital. I can sell my shares for $70 million to them to gain their support for my new arena project."
James Hahn looked at the council member with the bushy beard, who smiled and said, "Mr. Smith, perhaps selling your shares for $60 million would be better. We can guarantee the city council's approval for the downtown arena project in six months."
Arthur cast a glance, "Seventy million dollars is my bottom line. I want the city council's approval within three months."
The bearded council member looked at Arthur, sensing his impatience. Arthur Smith was no small player now.
Plus, seventy million was a profitable deal for them. He promptly nodded, "Deal!"
After the others left, only James Hahn and Arthur Smith remained. "Arthur, they're part of the Fairfax Jewish community."
"I know," Arthur realized this when he saw the bearded man's distinctly Jewish features. In previous redevelopment project battles, backed by Congressional and gubernatorial support, Arthur came out as the biggest winner.
The Jewish community and the Lakers' Buss family were now trying to trip him up.
"Even if you get the approval, Arthur, the city government won't support you financially. Can you solve the funding issue?" James Hahn, aligned with Arthur, was naturally on his side.
"Relax," Arthur patted James Hahn's shoulder, "No need to worry about funds. I've already injected $100 million into the Clippers' new arena project. The remaining funds won't be a big problem."
Arthur had taken a $200 million loan, spending $85 million to acquire the Clippers, with the remainder meant for the new arena.
Still, getting played by these guys annoyed Arthur. Although giving up the Koreatown project wasn't a big deal, their attitude irked him greatly.
*****
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