With access to the very best media resources, capital markets, and traffic channels,
Li Fei joined forces with his agent, David Falk, to build his personal sports brand.
Backed by New York's fertile capital environment, he successfully took the brand public and established a firm foothold.
In just four years, Li Fei Sports Brand had risen at lightning speed, standing shoulder to shoulder with Nike and Adidas.
Its three major sneaker lines—Li Fei Signature, Flying Pig, and Answer—swept across the United States market.
They formed a three-way commercial powerhouse, directly competing with Jordan's AJ Brand.
He was no longer merely an NBA player, but a top-tier business entrepreneur.
The on-court honors and commercial boost the team could offer him had already nearly reached their limit.
He had won so many championships that he had lost count, and a Four-Peat was within reach.
On the business front, his brand had already gone public and taken shape, no longer needing the team's backing.
He had already fully enjoyed New York's market dividends and had no need to remain there.
Over the past four years, Li Fei had never publicly promised to spend the rest of his career in New York.
Last season, the team had repeatedly approached him early about an extension, only for him to politely decline every time.
His manner was mild, but his position remained firm. He had always retained the right to choose free agency.
That move had long made the Knicks management uneasy.
Now that his contract was about to expire, all the hidden dangers had been laid bare.
The executives continued their analysis, their voices filled with helplessness and deliberation.
"If we match his market value and offer an astronomical max contract,"
"then for the next three to five years, the team will completely lose any