บท 299: Chapter 299: Michael Jordan's Retirement
In the evening, in Manhattan's West Midtown area, known as Hell's Kitchen, Arthur and two New York Congressmen, Ethan Thomas and Joseph Brown, went to a private club.
There were private strip shows, vintage wine, and top-notch handmade cigars. The three of them lounged comfortably on the sofa.
"Arthur, how does Hollywood feel about the President's tax hike?" Ethan Thomas asked. After Clinton took office, he immediately raised taxes, increasing Bush's top 31% individual tax rate even further.
Arthur smiled, "Of course, Hollywood doesn't like tax increases, but compared to ordinary people, Hollywood is a wealthy class. The tax increase mainly affects the middle class. This financial reform has actually led to a wave of mergers in Hollywood!"
Joseph Brown took a puff of his cigar and stared intently at the dancer on stage, "Arthur, we might need to rely on you even more in the future."
"Don't worry; we're all friends here. Both of you are lawyers, so after you retire from politics, you can join me in the legal industry," Arthur said, glancing at the two beside him. He then snapped his fingers, and a staff member quickly approached.
"Take care of these gentlemen!"
Arthur then looked at the two Congressmen and said with a smile, "You can relax now. This club is very private."
Soon, young beautiful women escorted Ethan Thomas and Joseph Brown to the back rooms.
Arthur gave a glance, then got up and left the club. Congressmen, huh, what a joke.
...
On the other side, after being ignored by Arthur Smith, Barry Diller discussed increased financing with Steve Roberts.
Steve Roberts frowned, "Barry, you said it yourself, Paramount's current valuation over $9 billion is an overestimate. Viacom's bid is already $9.2 billion, do you still want to increase the bid?"
"Steve, this is our opportunity. Paramount Pictures is a top Hollywood content provider. With future cooperation with Comcast, we will have a stable input of film and TV content, and we both agree on the prospects of cable television!" Barry Diller hoped to persuade the Roberts family to increase their investment.
Steve Roberts shook his head, "Comcast is primarily a cable operator. Although we have our own cable channels, overall, we still exist mainly as a channel provider. Our competition is fierce, and we don't have much capital to support you. You'd better find more investment institutions on Wall Street!"
Comcast supported Barry Diller to take over QVC primarily to acquire the QVC shopping channel.
Given the current developments, that goal is almost achieved. Barry Diller mortgaged QVC to Comcast to get a loan, but Paramount is too big for Comcast to swallow now.
With the goal of controlling QVC achieved, Barry Diller could be dispensable anytime...
...
In the High Line Park apartment, Jennifer Aniston woke up to find herself hugging Arthur.
"Hey, when did you come back last night?"
Jennifer Aniston remembered that he wasn't there before she fell asleep.
"Ah, it was around midnight. You were already asleep, so I didn't wake you," said Arthur, he had gone to a strip club with two congressmen after the party.
"No wonder," Aniston said, touching Arthur's chest.
Arthur smiled, then flipped over and pinned her down, "You got lucky last night!"
He then took off her nightgown and kissed her passionately. With Jennifer Aniston's cooperation, they had an intense session.
Because Arthur had just acquired the Clippers and the season was about to start, he didn't stay in New York for long before heading back to Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Doubtfire grossed a hundred million dollars in North America plus 200 million dollars internationally, making it the second highest-grossing film of the year, just behind Jurassic Park.
Four Weddings and a Funeral also achieved a notable box office, grossing 100 million in North America and 200 million internationally, making a total of 300 million dollars worldwide!
Everything at Galaxy was clearly heading in the right direction, but it wasn't so smooth for the freshly acquired Clippers.
In a small conference room at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Arthur, Clippers CEO Frank Gray, and General Manager Geoff Petrie were all watching a live TV broadcast intently.
At the Chicago Bulls' training facility, a grand press conference was being held, with none other than the basketball god, Michael Jordan, as the main attraction.
At the podium, Michael Jordan was in the middle, with Bulls' head coach Phil Jackson and Bulls' owner Jerry Reinsdorf on his right, and NBA commissioner David Stern and Jordan's wife Juanita Jordan on his left.
Standing behind them were the Bulls players and Jordan's family, with a crowd of reporters and media below.
Michael Jordan, facing millions of viewers, made his first retirement announcement: "Due to my father's recent passing, I am determined to fulfill our promise.
That is to pursue the memories my father left me on the baseball field. The years I spent on the basketball court were the most beautiful memories of my life. From conquering to being conquered, I've lost my previous passion for basketball..."
Frank Gray frowned, "Is Jordan really switching to baseball?"
"Hearing about Michael Jordan's retirement is truly a sad thing," Geoff Petrie said with a face full of emotion.
Arthur, having known this outcome, commented, "Jordan retiring is a huge loss for the league. But that's not my concern. The Clippers' performance is what I care about, and the new sports complex project in Los Angeles needs to start immediately!"
Frank Gray and Geoff Petrie knew their young boss had big ambitions, but starting a new arena project right after acquiring the team was indeed thrilling.
"Frank, the new arena is crucial. I don't want the team to be renamed the Anaheim Clippers in the future!"
As the club chairman, Frank Gray was responsible for the overall operations.
"Understood."
The new general manager, Geoff Petrie, then explained, "Ron Harper (shooting guard), Danny Manning (power forward), and Mark Jackson (point guard) are the team's mainstays right now."
"Making the playoffs might be possible, but to get past the first round, the team needs to strengthen!"
Arthur scoffed, "Danny Manning may have made the All-Star for the first time this year, but he's not quite All-Star caliber yet. The Clippers need a true superstar!"
*****
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