Bab 596: Chapter 596: The Los Angeles Dodgers
In the morning, in the bedroom of the Star, Charles climbed out from among four snow-white arms and picked up the phone to answer it.
"Hey, Dona, what's up?"
"The owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball, Frank McCourt, seems to be having trouble. Word is, he's looking to sell the Dodgers," Dona Williams quickly informed him over the phone.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers? What trouble is Frank McCourt in?" Charles had always dreamed of owning a local Los Angeles team. The Dodgers had moved from New York City's Brooklyn to Los Angeles in the fifties and had settled there ever since.
"Frank McCourt was originally a real estate businessman from the Boston area. After the financial crisis, it appears he's been wrapped up in a divorce lawsuit with his wife," Dona Williams wasn't entirely sure either. "It came through an investment manager!"
"Keep an eye on the Dodgers," Charles instructed. He knew well how these owners operated; they never let go until the critical moment.
It's probably just a rumor for now. A Major League Baseball team in Los Angeles won't come cheap!
Besides the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, there's also this Major League Baseball team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Another team based nearby is the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim!
The Dodgers' home stadium, Dodger Stadium, is located in the northern hills of the city in Chavez Ravine, making it an authentically local Los Angeles team. Back in the day, Frank McCourt lost a bid for the Boston Red Sox to John Henry's New England Sports Ventures, and so he turned to News Corporation to acquire the Dodgers!
Putting down his phone, Charles pondered. His CSE company already owned the Miami Dolphins of the NFL, the New Jersey Nets of the NBA, Miami FC of the soccer league, and UFC mixed martial arts competitions. None of them were based in Los Angeles. In terms of influence and reputation, the Los Angeles Dodgers undoubtedly ranked first among them and rightly belonged to him!
How could the Hollywood prince, the king of California, not have a significant team based in Los Angeles?
"My dear, why are you up so early?" Eva Green, who had just woken up and taken a sip of water, saw Charles sitting on the sofa and walked over to ask.
"Oh, nothing," Charles replied, looking at the just-awoken Eva Green with her disheveled hair and loosely tied robe.
He then pulled Eva Green into his lap and said, "You sure are tempting!"
"Charles, was last night not enough? Scarlett's still not awake. Seems like you two went crazy last night," Eva Green laughed and clung to Charles's neck.
"With you two, who wouldn't go crazy?" said Charles, then kissed her on the lips, receiving a passionate response from Eva Green...
...
After the weekend, Scarlett Johansson started a stay-at-home rest period, waiting for post-production work on The Avengers and a call from We Bought a Zoo. Meanwhile, Eva Green was headed to New York to discuss a movie project.
In Burbank, at Capet Universal's headquarters, in Charles's office.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers, interesting. News Corporation had bought the Dodgers to help develop FOX Sports; Just like when Disney acquired ESPN and then bought the Anaheim Angels' operating rights to help ESPN expand its market!"
Charles lounged in his chair. However, News Corporation and Disney sold their teams in 2003 and 2004, respectively. It's normal for owners of sports channels to buy teams. Early on, Ted Turner of Turner Broadcasting System also owned the Atlanta Hawks to support the growth of his sports channel, TNT!
"Now NBC Sports and CSE have a strategic partnership. UFC, Miami Dolphins, and New Jersey Nets' broadcasts air on NBC Sports," Dona Williams spoke up.
"Boss, do you really want to buy the Dodgers?"
Charles looked up and blinked, "Is there any doubt? Frank McCourt hasn't said he's selling yet!"
Dona Williams nodded, "The location of Dodger Stadium is great, and Los Angeles is a huge sports market."
As for another Major League Baseball team, the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, they don't seem to be fully accepted by local Los Angeles fans. They were originally called the Los Angeles Angels, then the California Angels, then the Anaheim Angels, and a few years ago finally rebranded as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. All these changes were just to capitalize on the Greater Los Angeles market!
"Wait for the bidding process. The Dodgers' performance and influence cannot be overlooked, and being located in the Los Angeles metropolitan sports market makes them even more valuable," Dona Williams acknowledged that the specific timing of the sale was uncertain, as she'd only heard the information from some investors.
"Keep an eye on Frank McCourt then," Charles knew he had to be patient, "By the way, transfer $100 million to Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami for renovating the golf course and building a resort hotel. You've been busy for a while. If you need it, you can take a vacation!" Charles said, pulling Dona Williams into his lap. "I hear finance can be stressful."
Dona Williams smiled, "I have to go to San Francisco to keep an eye on Twitter; they're raising funds again. Also, boss, that instant messaging app, WhatsApp, which launched last year, you said it should be acquired by Twitter. There's a lot going on!"
Charles stroked Dona Williams's waist and kissed her on the face, "WhatsApp has great potential. Twitter should offer some shares during the acquisition. The amount of funding Twitter will need will only keep increasing. But Capet Capital must retain its position as the major shareholder. I've invested a lot in it already. Finally, we're seeing Twitter's true potential!"
Charles had to ensure Twitter avoided unnecessary detours. Without WhatsApp, Facebook would be less formidable, and Twitter could definitely hold its ground in the future!
Twitter combined with WhatsApp would be Charles's key tools for controlling public opinion, coupled with Capet Universal's power.
Charles Capet's name was destined to become a global symbol!
"Understood," Dona Williams nodded.
"Boss, a Chinese actress just called for you..." Phyllis Jones reminded him at that moment.
...
At night, an Audi R8 sped along Pacific Highway 1 in Malibu, heading straight from Los Angeles International Airport to Point Dume, Malibu.
Driving was Charles Capet, and sitting in the passenger seat was Liu Yifei. "Why did you come to America so suddenly?"
Charles hadn't received any advance notice. Previously, both Gao Yuanyuan and Lin Chi-ling had always informed him beforehand when they were coming!
"It's a bit urgent. The house I used to live in, in Queens, New York, has been sold, so I came over," Liu Yifei smiled. "Don't you want me to come over?"
Charles shook his head, "Of course not. In fact, I hope you can stay longer, consider it a vacation,"
said as the Audi R8 stopped at the coastal mansion in Point Dume, Malibu.
"I've had dinner prepared. As for the matters in New York, you can leave them to Amelia to handle," Charles said, leading Liu Yifei into the luxurious coastal villa.
Liu Yifei nodded, "Thanks, the house in New York only sold for $1.1 million. I wasn't planning on selling it. It's just that I haven't been to that community in years!"
Charles helped her to the couch. Seeing that Liu Yifei seemed a bit nostalgic, he said, "Then make some time to go back and visit, it's no big deal."
"I've been back to the community in East LA where I grew up. Though it's a poor district, it doesn't mean much!"
Liu Yifei's mother's ex-husband was an elite lawyer, solidly middle-class, much wealthier than Charles's family when he was a child.
"Aren't you busy?" Liu Yifei looked up at Charles.
"Busy with what? June to August is the vacation season for Americans. Most families go on vacation," Charles said, kissing Liu Yifei on the cheek.
"How about we have some food first? You've been on a plane for over ten hours!"
"Okay, I am a bit tired," Liu Yifei agreed, wanting to eat and rest soon.
Later that night, Liu Yifei lay in Charles's arms after taking a bath. Soon he was over her, the heat of the kiss matched by the unbuttoning of pajamas.
Liu Yifei wrapped her arms around his neck, responding passionately.
Soon, the bedroom was filled with a series of gasps and moans...
*****
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