Tang Long wanted to establish his own sports company, and Bill Duffy quickly understood.
This was actually a good thing.
With Tang Long as a shareholder, he would be both a player and an owner. With Tang Long's reputation, his company could then sign more players.
More importantly, Tang Long had a good relationship with the league, which was crucial!
Even though those agents talked about multi-million dollar contracts and tens of millions in endorsements, making it seem like they were ripping off teams, that wasn't the case at all.
Just like Raiola and Mendes in football, who often had players demand raises, but Raiola's players still joined top clubs.
Besides the players' individual abilities, it was also about relationships.
Especially in a league like the NBA, a bad relationship with the owners meant players would have fewer teams to choose from, and those teams would inevitably suppress salaries to the lowest possible.
If the owners issued a ban, even the most powerful agent would be unable to make a living.
This was one of the reasons why players who had relatives as agents were often cast aside by teams once they lost their value.
"Okay, then I'll invest 49%, and I'll handle the specific operations. You'll be the boss."
"No problem."
Tang Long readily agreed.
"By the way, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you."
Bill Duffy continued, "I received a call from Adidas. They plan to come to Cleveland. Do you want to meet them?"
Tang Long thought for a moment and said, "You can contact them first. I'll be very busy and my schedule will be packed. If I really don't have time, my previous stance remains: don't let it affect my games and training."
"Alright, I understand. I'll do as you say."
As soon as Tang Long hung up, Larry Hughes came over and patted his shoulder, "Tang, the coach wants us in the tactical room to go over the strategy for the next game against the Grizzlies."
"Okay, coming right now."
After taking two steps, Tang Long suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on Larry Hughes.
"Tang, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Larry Hughes felt a chill down his spine from Tang Long's gaze and instinctively took a step back.
Although the United States wasn't as politically correct as it is now, the trend was already emerging.
Tang Long was surrounded by beautiful women, but there were no rumors of him being with any of them, which made Larry Hughes overthink.
"What's with that expression?"
Seeing his expression, Tang Long knew he had misinterpreted.
"Larry, your agent is Jeff, right?"
"Yes, why?"
Larry Hughes nodded.
His agent was Jeff Wechsler.
He wasn't very famous in the league, only representing a few mid-tier starters or some bench players. Most people didn't know much about him.
Later, some people became aware of his name when Harrison Barnes of the Warriors parted ways with his agent, and they learned about him.
"Do you want to switch to a better agent?"
Larry Hughes instinctively asked, "Switch to whom?"
Tang Long leaned closer, "What do you think of my agent, Bill Duffy?"
"To be honest, Bill is a very good agent. Didn't he just sign you a ten-million-dollar endorsement deal?"
Larry Hughes was envious.
A ten-million-dollar endorsement deal! Even after paying half in taxes, he'd still have millions left, which was more than his salary.
"Larry, what would you think if Bill became your agent?"
Larry Hughes looked at Tang Long in confusion. It was clear his mind had short-circuited, and he no longer understood what Tang Long was saying.
"I'm planning to start a brokerage firm with Bill. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Larry Hughes finally understood.
Tang Long intended to become a boss himself!
He thought about it and it seemed somewhat plausible.
Bill Duffy had already proven his capabilities as an agent. If Tang Long joined him, this company would have a bright future for at least ten years.
As for ten years later, who could say?
After all, a company lasting ten years was already a remarkable achievement.
"Okay."
After a brief period of thought, Larry Hughes immediately agreed to Tang Long's proposal.
"Brother, I can guarantee this is the most correct decision you'll ever make in your life."
Tang Long warmly put his arm around Larry Hughes's shoulder.
They say that business needs a good start, and with this first success, more players would naturally join the company.
"What are you two up to?"
As they reached the entrance of the tactical room, James saw Tang Long and Larry Hughes with their arms around each other and immediately smelled a conspiracy.
"LeBron, I think it's best not to."
Tang Long was about to ask LeBron if he wanted to switch agents, but he swallowed his words.
LeBron's agent was Rich Paul. Besides their professional relationship, LeBron and Rich Paul also had a very good personal relationship, making it unlikely to poach LeBron.
In later years, Rich Paul was able to sign many star players because of LeBron's partnership with Nike, and he eventually became a top ten agent in the league.
Tang Long felt he wasn't any worse, and perhaps his company could even surpass Rich Paul in the future.
"Tang, do you know how shameless you are? What exactly do you want to say?"
Tang Long's half-finished sentence left LeBron hanging.
Just as Tang Long was about to tease LeBron, Mike Brown urged them, "Alright, everyone find a seat. We need to devise a strategy for the Grizzlies."
Tang Long shrugged helplessly at LeBron and found a seat.
"Tomorrow we'll be traveling to Memphis. Everyone needs to be at their absolute best."
Mike Brown glanced at the players. They were lounging around, and their energy levels didn't seem as high as before, clearly having become a bit too relaxed.
"Coach, they're just the second-to-last team in the West," Varejao quipped. "Besides, they're preparing to tank themselves."
"Hahaha..."
The Cavaliers players burst into laughter.
They all started offering their opinions.
Of course, most of it was just banter.
Mike Brown said helplessly, "Although the Grizzlies are tanking this season, they have players like Pau Gasol on their roster. Our interior defense will be a bit strained, and our offense will be restricted. We cannot underestimate them."
"What about Gasol? We have Tang."
"Yeah, let Tang block him."
The tactical room became even more boisterous.
Tang Long felt a pang of embarrassment, and he could even feel Mike Brown's sharp gaze fixed on him.
Why are you looking at me? I didn't say it myself!
Besides, he knew Pau Gasol's abilities and wasn't underestimating the opponent.
The Grizzlies weren't always tanking. Later, the Grizzlies were quite successful and became a rising power in the West!
*Knock, knock, knock!*
Mike Brown impatiently tapped the tactical board, his expression stern, and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, be serious. We can't afford to be caught off guard."