Bab 99: Mark, You Did It Too
Guys there is already content on patreon, if anyone wants to become a chunin or jonnin.
patreon.com/Chuga320 (More 50 chapters)
—————————————————————————————————————————————
But there was a reason why Chris Cohan dared to act this way.
According to Mark Baum's sources, a group from Silicon Valley had contacted Chris Cohan and expressed interest in acquiring the Warriors. They also approached the owners of the Hornets, Kings, and Nets.
Mark Baum didn't know the details, but Liam Gonzalez knew that this group was led by Joe Lacob, who would eventually buy the Warriors from Chris Cohan in Liam's previous life.
Lacob was an investor with a high risk appetite, favoring high-risk, high-reward ventures. In Liam's past life, Lacob had dared to offer Curry, despite his serious ankle injury, a four-year, $44 million contract. At the time, many believed Curry's playing days were over.
In the 2020-2021 season, after Klay Thompson's injury, Lacob paid a whopping $184 million in luxury tax to keep the Warriors competitive, refusing any tax-evasion strategies. Even though the Warriors missed the playoffs that year, Lacob's ruthlessness was on full display. He was someone willing to spend big when necessary.
Liam was convinced that Lacob's target was the Warriors, and his approach to other teams was likely just a smokescreen.
There was no time to waste. Who knew what price Lacob might offer? Besides, the best time to acquire the Warriors was before the draft. Liam didn't want this acquisition to turn into a prolonged battle.
After thinking it through, he made an offer Chris Cohan couldn't refuse:
"$500 million! I'll offer $500 million. Believe me, no one else will offer such a high price."
As soon as Liam finished speaking, Mark Baum's pupils slightly dilated, his eyes wandering. His right hand under the table slowly clenched and unclenched, and he glanced sideways at Liam.
He hadn't expected Liam to offer such a high price!
Though Mark was only there to assist Liam and wouldn't be contributing any additional funds to the purchase, he didn't want to watch Liam get taken advantage of.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Liam whispered.
Chris Cohan was also surprised. His voice trembled slightly:
"Mr. Gonzalez, are you sure you want to offer $500 million for the Warriors?"
Aside from the Warriors, his entire net worth was only around $350 million. A $500 million offer was more than enough to more than double his wealth. There was no way he could refuse this price.
"I'm sure," Liam nodded.
"So, when do we sign the contract?" Cohan asked, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Anytime," Liam replied.
"Then let's sign the contract here in three days," Chris Cohan suggested.
"Okay, let our teams discuss the contract details," Liam agreed.
Afterward, Liam and Mark Baum left Oracle Arena, while the lawyers, financial analysts, and accountants stayed behind to hash out the finer points of the contract with Chris Cohan's team.
With three days being tight, they had to make use of every free moment, even having lunch there.
The two headed to the parking lot and got into a Bentley. Mark Baum sighed:
"Liam, I really shouldn't have helped you."
"Why?" Liam asked.
"I admit you're a financial genius. You made a billion dollars in just three years. Making money seems easy for you... but this is $500 million, half of your wealth! You're using so much money to acquire a team that hasn't performed well, and you'll need to maintain its operations. You just spent $50 million more with a single sentence. What about next time? Will you offer a star player a $30 million annual salary just because you like him?" Mark said, visibly frustrated.
Liam smiled and responded:
"Mark, you're wrong about one thing. I've already bought $100 million worth of Apple stock. So $500 million is the majority of my wealth."
"You're a lunatic! Why Apple stock? Just because of the first-generation iPhone? As far as I know, sales for that phone were pretty poor," Mark said, surprised.
"Pioneers of their time always face some challenges and obstacles. I suggest you buy some Apple stock. Trust me, the returns will be beyond what you can imagine," Liam said confidently.
"No thanks. I'm not like you, shorting the real estate market one day, buying a sports team the next, and then betting on a phone company. The financial market is risky enough. I'm not about to mess around," Mark sneered.
"Mark, I have to remind you—you're a shareholder of Catherine Investment, which means you're also buying part of the team," Liam said, smiling.
"…," Mark fell silent.
Seeing Mark's fist slowly clench, Liam quickly shifted the subject:
"I know you're worried that I'll lose control after coming into wealth so quickly... But don't forget my other identity—I'm a championship coach. No one knows how to manage a team better than I do. I won't waste money."
"But now you're the owner. Owners and coaches are different," Mark pointed out.
Liam spread his hands and replied:
"You know, my goal has always been to coach an NBA team, but no one would hire a head coach as young as me, and I don't have the patience to wait. Since I'm already a Warriors fan, I might as well buy the team and become the owner first, then the head coach."
Mark looked at him skeptically.
"This seems too convenient. Your goal was to enter the NBA, make a billion dollars, and then acquire the Warriors. Chris Cohan just happens to want to sell, and Curry is entering the draft this year. It all seems too planned... how did you know you'd make so much money?"
"Haha, you're overthinking it... By the way, aren't you a die-hard Pacers fan? Why don't you buy them? Spend enough money, and the Pacers might win a championship soon," Liam joked, quickly changing the subject.
Mark shrugged.
"I'm a businessman. If I bought the Pacers, I'd focus on profitability. I don't want to lose the fun of being a pure fan by turning my hobby into a business," Mark said.
"You're such an evil capitalist," Liam chuckled.
Mark gave Liam a disdainful look.
"Someone like you, who only cares about winning, doesn't understand that the process is what matters. I watch the stars, the competition, the team dynamics—not just to see a final score higher than the opponent's. The championship is just a goal, not the end-all," Mark explained.
After a few more playful jabs, Liam suddenly turned serious:
"Mark, thanks for your concern. But I'm not acting on a whim. The Warriors were a struggling team under Chris Cohan, but three days from now, it will no longer be a bad team, because I will be the new owner. Believe me, I'll run this team the right way."
End of this chapter
Note: Hi if you really like NBA novels, you can support me either in this pg with stones, reviews etc, or in patreon since the niche of sports and specially NBA is very small is Webnovel since people prefer to read Naruto, Pokemon, comics etc.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Chugamc
Chugamc Hi guys this is Chuga. If you read this far and liked it you can leave comments, stones and reviews which is very important for a new translator / author.
Love you.
patreon.com/Chuga320
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone