Post-game interviews with Tang Long boosted Fox Sports channel's viewership by three percentage points.
This was a much-needed shot in the arm for Fox Sports, whose ratings had been in a slump.
Now, any report about Tang Long caused a sharp increase in the sports channel's viewership.
While Katherine didn't get an interview with Tang Long, after Shawn Chen successfully secured his post-game interview, Fox Sports keenly recognized Shawn's ability.
"Shawn, isn't your internship about to end?"
Shawn Chen nodded, nervously looking at Navas, the sports channel's producer.
"Your performance has been very satisfactory," Navas said, then changed the subject. "However, the other interns who started at the same time as you are also excellent, so your permanent position..."
Shawn Chen's heart tightened, his breath catching in his throat, as he heard Navas continue, "Of course, we believe you are capable. As long as you can invite Tang to our station for an interview program, your permanent position will be a sure thing."
Shawn Chen looked at producer Navas suspiciously, "You want me to interview Tang?"
The producer nodded.
Generally, star players rarely appeared on sports talk shows due to low appearance fees, and some smaller TV stations weren't worth their time.
This condition was quite demanding.
But for some reason, Shawn Chen felt that Tang Long was easy to get along with, without much of a star attitude.
"I can try, but I can't guarantee success," Shawn Chen said seriously to Navas. "If Tang agrees to a special interview with our station, then I also want to be one of the guests."
"Well, the station schedule will decide that later," Navas said, seeing Shawn Chen's expression change. He added, "I think it shouldn't be a problem."
"Alright then, I can only say I'll try." She didn't have much confidence in successfully inviting Tang Long and could only take it one step at a time.
...
"Everyone did a great job. We need to keep up the good work. If we get thirty consecutive wins, I'll give everyone a bonus of one million dollars."
Cavaliers owner Gilbert appeared enthusiastically in the training room, announcing his reward plan.
"Boss, are you just going to talk? Shouldn't there be some immediate reward?"
James said with a teasing tone, crossing his legs.
In the Cavaliers team, only he dared to tease the owner like this.
"I think LeBron is right. We should at least get a million dollars for every game we win now."
Tang Long chimed in with agreement.
Regarding this, one had to mention Boss Xu. Everyone thought Boss Xu was on the first level, but in reality, Boss Xu was on the third level.
Just as everyone accepted that Boss Xu was on the third level, they realized Boss Xu had already reached the stratosphere.
"Well, the bread will come, and the milk will come."
Since acquiring the Cavaliers in 2005, as the true owner with 72% of the shares, Gilbert's wealth could only be considered average in the United States.
Who could have imagined that this guy's status would skyrocket like a rocket in the future, with his company's annual reports at times surpassing Musk and Bezos.
This guy truly had foresight. After spending over three hundred million to buy the Cavaliers, he first spent more than twenty million to build the current training facility. With LeBron James present, even a small market like Cleveland gradually became one of the most watched teams globally.
Moreover, as one of the league owners, who wouldn't envy the Rockets for having Yao Ming, which opened up the massive market of 1.3 billion people!
This was also why he appeared with the team today.
Tang Long's personal abilities were increasingly outstanding, and his chemistry with James was excellent.
As long as the two could maintain their current winning streak, they would not only attract nationwide attention but also capitalize on Tang Long's momentum to tap into the Chinese market.
What's more, Tang Long was currently a key player being nurtured by the league, which held immense commercial value.
"Tch!" James waved his hand. "Anything else? If not, don't disturb our training. We can talk during lunch."
"Then I'll notify the kitchen to prepare everyone's favorite meals."
Gilbert not only wasn't angry but happily went to prepare lunch for everyone.
At this moment, Tang Long had to admire these businessmen; they were truly able to let go.
Now that James was making money, he was allowed unlimited privileges within the team.
But when it came to trading James, they would definitely want to get back the principal and interest, and even throw some dirt on him.
"Alright, everyone, let's quiet down."
Mike Brown scanned the group, finally focusing his gaze on Tang Long.
"The opponents for the next few games are not too strong. Besides the Bulls, Bobcats, and Trail Blazers, only the Pistons are our direct competitors!"
"If we can defeat the Detroit Pistons, then we can rank second in the Eastern Conference, competing with the Celtics for first place. And you all know what it means to get first place."
Upon hearing the Pistons, the joking expressions on everyone's faces immediately turned serious.
The Pistons didn't have many star players, the most famous being Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups.
However, the Pistons excelled in their overall performance.
Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace both averaged over twelve points per game, and their center, Elden Campbell, often had double-doubles.
More crucially, although the Pistons only scored 97.4 points per game, they were the league's most tenacious defensive team, allowing opponents only 90 points per game.
This meant they outscored their opponents by an average of seven points per game, with their iron-clad defense preventing the opponents from scoring.
"In terms of matchups, Tang will have no problem guarding Elden Campbell, but the help defense from Rasheed Wallace and others will be difficult to handle. At the same time, they will definitely try to limit LeBron, so I hope other players can step up in these moments."
Everyone exchanged glances, clearly not very confident about facing the Pistons.
Especially the perimeter players, whose shooting touch was already inconsistent. Facing a team like the Pistons, whose defense made it uncomfortable to play, their shooting touch would be even harder to maintain.
"Coach Brown, we don't need to inflate the enemy's morale and destroy our own prestige. It's just the Pistons, let's just blow them away!"
Mike Brown shot Tang Long a look of mild exasperation. "And you, Tang, you've been too focused on individual performance lately. You need to realize that the more you like to show off, the more people will target you. Especially when you're dunking or rebounding, be careful of dirty plays underfoot, understand?"
"I will, Coach Brown."
Tang Long nodded, realizing that Mike Brown genuinely cared about him, not just saying empty words.
"Next, let's go over the specific tactics..."
...
While Mike Brown was setting up tactics, outside the Cavaliers' training facility, a girl was peeking around furtively, but she was quickly caught by security.
Upon hearing that she was a reporter, the security guards didn't dare to delay and promptly notified the team's management.