Chương 112: Sneaker Deal
There was also an awards ceremony, where the best team, the most valuable player, and the championship trophy were presented. Lian Dao was named both the Most Valuable Player and Best Forward, while Raheem Wright received the Best Defender award.
During the final awards ceremony, it was clear that Lian Dao had been the standout, collecting numerous accolades. This victory marked the return of the men's basketball team to the top of Asia, and Lian Dao fulfilled what had been a historical regret.
However, Guo Shiqiang still resigned as head coach afterward. He realized that he was still inexperienced, especially in the finals, where he missed several key opportunities for positive adjustments.
Meanwhile, the domestic media celebrated the team's success with headlines such as "In the Finals Against Iran: Ankle Breaker Takes Center Stage," "Brutal Dunk on Haddadi: The Tyrant Arrives," and "Chinese Men's Basketball Team Stands Atop Asia Once More!"
...
The excitement generated by the domestic media left fans buzzing, and the internet was abuzz with messages of congratulations and praise.
"As expected of Lian Dao, he's truly dominant. There's never a shortage of spectacular dunks when he's on the court!"
"Congratulations to Brother Lian for earning the 'Ankle Harvester' medal."
"Lu Province sends their congratulations!"
"Kyoto sends their congratulations!"
"Guangdong Province sends their congratulations!"
...
"Excuse me, is the building crooked?"
"Ah, I like my husband; he's so handsome!"
"Hey, I'm not sure if my husband likes me like this."
"Kill the monster to death, pull it out and bury it alive!"
...
Meanwhile, in the United States, the New York Knicks extended their congratulations to Lian Dao on their official website. Harden, DeMar, and other friends also joined in the celebration, making Lian Dao grateful for their support. However, the conversation took an amusing turn when the group began discussing the possibility of Lian Dao treating them.
True to form, his friends couldn't resist making light of the situation!
In addition to the celebrations, Lian Dao noticed the growing popularity of the nickname "Harvester" online. Many fans connected the term "sickle" with harvesting, seeing it as a reflection of Lian Dao's powerful playing style. From his aggressive dunks against Edwin Ubilles and Thabeet to his dominant performance against Haddadi in the Asian Championships, the nickname seemed fitting.
Despite this, Lian Dao was taken aback when he saw the nickname in use. "Harvester? What the hell?" he mused online. Netizens explained their reasoning, but Lian Dao couldn't help but feel a bit amused, joking about being likened to a "scythe of the working class."
These lighthearted moments brought a smile to Lian Dao's face, adding a touch of humor to his recent successes.
After the Asian Championships, Lian Dao attended the celebration banquet held by the men's basketball team.
Next, he needed to decide on a sneaker endorsement deal.
Nike had re-quoted with an offer of $65 million over 7 years, while Adidas had a bid of $70 million over the same period.
Domestic brands were also competing for Lian Dao's endorsement. Peak offered $65 million for six years, Li Ning proposed $72 million for six years, and Anta presented a five-year deal worth $70 million.
The domestic offers were quite competitive compared to the international ones, but the quality of domestic sneakers at this stage wasn't on par with foreign brands.
Anta's offer was the highest among domestic brands, with a $70 million contract for five years.
Guo Yuwei, Lian Dao's agent, noted, "Do you really want to sign with a domestic brand? Can the quality of their sneakers be guaranteed?"
Indeed, the price offered by domestic brands was tempting, especially Anta's offer. They even added a unique condition: if Lian Dao made the All-Star team during his rookie contract, Anta would offer a 50% profit-sharing deal for a sub-brand under his name.
This was incredibly tempting. Only Jordan had previously achieved such a contract, with Air Jordans being a major success for Nike.
Guo Yuwei raised a valid concern. "The quality of the sneakers is crucial. Poor quality could lead to injuries and impact your entire career. Even though Anta's offer is attractive, you need to carefully consider their technology."
Although Anta had invested in high-tech developments, their technologies weren't as advanced as Nike's yet.
Lian Dao sighed and asked, "So, should I go with Adidas? If I become famous, do you think they'd offer me a sub-brand deal?"
"It's possible," Guo Yuwei replied. "Adidas has struggled to compete with Nike recently. But even if they do, your share might not be significant. Only Jordan has secured such deals so far. Historically, Nike only signed a lifetime contract with LeBron James in 2015 for Air Lebron's sub-brand."
Just then, Lian Dao's phone rang. It was his father, Lian Guochang.
"Hey, you did well. You've made the family proud. When are you coming home? I miss you!" Lian Guochang's tone was cheerful.
"I'm planning to visit Grandpa the day after tomorrow. How's he doing?" Lian Dao hadn't been home lately and was eager to hear about his grandfather.
"Grandpa's health is good, but he misses you a lot. By the way, haven't you signed a sneaker deal yet?" Lian Guochang asked.
"Not yet. I'm still considering my options," Lian Dao replied, surprised by his father's sudden interest.
"I have some shares in Anta. Lao Ding wants you to give them a chance. They'd like you to try their latest sneakers. You can decide after trying them on."
"Really? I didn't know you had shares in Anta," Lian Dao said, puzzled.
"You're not in the country, so you wouldn't know. Anyway, make sure to visit Grandpa," Lian Guochang said before hanging up.
Lian Dao was used to his father's detached approach, as most of the affection came from his mother, Zhao Ruoyun.
Given the situation, Lian Dao was willing to explore what Anta had to offer.
Soon after, Guo Yuwei received a call from Anta and arranged for their team to visit. She explained the situation to her junior.
The junior was confused by the sudden change but understood that Lian Dao's decision to consider Anta was due to their sincerity and the opportunity to evaluate domestic sneaker technology.
A short while later, representatives from Anta arrived with a pair of white and yellow basketball shoes.
After trying them on, Lian Dao was impressed. The sneakers felt comparable to his current Air Jordans, especially in terms of shock absorption.
The designer explained the advanced technology used: double shock-absorbing technology, durable insoles, and elastic "jelly" technology. Additionally, Anta had recently acquired Fila, which allowed them to integrate Fila's sneaker technology into their new design.
Lian Dao recalled Anta's acquisition of Fila in 2009 and its subsequent growth, including their signing of Kevin Garnett in 2010. It was clear that Anta's improvements were not solely due to price but also quality advancements.
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