May 22, New York, NBA headquarters building.
David Stern sat behind his desk, reviewing the viewership ratings and financial statements for the first two rounds of the playoffs that had just been delivered to him.
They defeated the Orlando Magic 3-0 in the first round.
In the second round, they defeated the New York Knicks 4-0.
The Boston Celtics finished their first two rounds in just seven games. On the competitive front, this was a perfect performance; but commercially, it's a major headache for broadcasters NBC and TNT.
For the league, every additional playoff game means millions of dollars in television advertising revenue, broadcasting rights, and stadium ticket sales. Boston's devastating style of play has significantly reduced the "revenue pool" shared by all teams in the league.
Stern picked up the landline phone on the table and dialed a Boston number.
Boston, CEO's Office.
Lin Qi pressed the speakerphone button, his gaze still fixed on the Philadelphia 76ers ' in-depth scouting report, "Good morning, David. Is headquarters satisfied with our performance?"
"As a fan, it's amazing. But as the league's steward, it's giving me a headache." Stern's voice was calm and direct, without any pleasantries. " Lin Qi, the head of NBC just called me. Because of your 'efficiency' in the first two rounds, the broadcasters have cleared out five prime-time slots for national broadcasts. They've run out of advertising space."
Lin Qi chuckled lightly, "The players executed the tactics well, and Coach Rick Carlisle also wants the old guys to rest a few more days. I can't exactly go to the locker room and issue tickets to those who leave early, can I?"
"The league will never interfere in any competitive outcome; that's the bottom line." Stern's tone was gentle but firm. "I'm calling just to give you a heads-up. Next up is Philadelphia. Allen Iverson is the face of national viewership this year. If the Eastern Conference Finals end in another blitzkrieg with no suspense, the league's revenue report for the Eastern Conference playoffs will look terrible."
A wise person speaks only to the point. Stern didn't exert pressure or make any demands. He simply stated a fact: Boston was jeopardizing the broadcasters' livelihoods, and if the Eastern Conference Finals continued like this, the league's top management would be very unhappy.
" David, things have come to this point. I can't exactly go to the locker room and ask Rick Carlisle to intentionally lose two games," Lin Qi said calmly. "Since we can't force the number of playoff games, how about we 'increase revenue' and add some more games?"
"Open source?" Stern chuckled on the other end of the phone. " Lin Qi, the NBA schedule is already packed to the brim. Broadcasters want high-rated, high-profile games. Are you planning to conjure up a few games out of thin air for me?"
"We can't really fit in during the regular season and playoffs," Lin Qi said, throwing out the bait. "But between the end of the NBA Finals in June and the start of free agency in July, the league usually has almost a week of absolute commercial vacuum. David, what if we schedule that year's NBA champions for an extra, high-profile series during those days?"
Stern frowned slightly, keenly grasping the key point. "Fighting against whom?"
" Europe Champions."
Lin Qi leaned back in his chair, his true intentions revealed. " David, as you know, I've been running training camps in Europe every summer for the past few years. Recently, a new league has emerged in Europe called the EBA. Unlike FIBA, a lifeless official organization, the EBA places great emphasis on commercial operations. I've had several meetings with their president Maurizio Gherardini, and he's a very shrewd businessman."
Stern did not interrupt. As a driving force behind the NBA's global expansion, he had an instinctive business sense for the " Europe market."
"Imagine that scene, David," Lin Qi pointed out incisively. "It's not just being broadcast nationwide, but all of Europe is watching. These newly added high-profile games can be called the true ' World Champion ' series. Not the kind of closed-door, Canada -only ' World Champion ' series like MLB ( United States Professional Baseball Major League ), but a true intercontinental clash encompassing the highest level of basketball and the largest economy in the world. Just imagine the overseas broadcasting rights fees and sponsorship offers for these newly added high-profile games... the commercial value of this series might even surpass the NBA Finals."
This proposal was extremely audacious. David Stern quickly mentally calculated the enormous profits these "extra matches" could generate.
But being a seasoned veteran, he immediately pointed out the practical problem. " Europe basketball rules are completely different from the NBA. How can this game be played?"
"Home and away years." Lin Qi was clearly prepared. "The first series will be held in the United States, using all NBA rules. The second year will be held in Europe, using EBA rules. Moreover, to avoid the physical exhaustion of players traveling across the ocean, the format will be similar to MLB, played directly in the host country that year. It will be a best-of-three series, and the series can be completed in five days."
A brief silence fell over the office.
"If you can really persuade President Maurizio to sit at the negotiating table," Stern's voice finally rang out again, "The Union's Commerce Department can set up a special task force tomorrow."
"I never like to wait for good business." Lin Qi glanced at his watch. " David, it's afternoon in Europe right now. If you don't mind, I can bring him into the conference call now."
Stern paused for a moment, clearly not expecting Lin Qi's efficiency to be so terrifying. But he quickly replied, "Bring him in."
Lin Qi pressed a few keys on his desk, and after a brief silence, English with a heavy Italy accent came through the phone.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Lin Qi. How can I help you?" Maurizio's voice sounded professional and enthusiastic.
"Good afternoon, Maurizio. I'm introducing you to a very important person online, NBA Commissioner David Stern," Lin Qi said briefly. "We were just discussing a transnational tournament concept for a ' World Champion ' and we think the EBA would be a perfect partner."
Over the next ten minutes, the three parties engaged in an extremely efficient transoceanic conference call.
Maurizio perfectly played the role of an independent and ambitious leader of Europe basketball, showing great interest in the proposal. Stern had no idea that the two people on the other end of the phone were actually the real owner and his top agent in Europe. Lin Qi was using a perfect double act to gild his EuroLeague with the NBA.
"Gentlemen, we have reached a strategic consensus on our business vision," Stern summarized over the phone, but his seasoned execution skills immediately returned to reality.
"However, as NBA commissioner, I have to face the reality of the process. To add a few more high-intensity international games during the offseason, I first need to convince the team owners to agree. More importantly, the Players Association (NBPA) will never let the players work overtime for free. We must renegotiate the labor negotiations with the Players Association regarding the additional broadcast revenue for these games."
Stern gave a clear timeline. "Completing these legal and financial procedures will take at least half a year. Therefore, this year's tournament definitely won't happen. If all goes well, after the NBA Finals in 2002, we will have our first real World Championship."
"A very reasonable schedule, Mr. Stern," Maurizio replied on the other end of the phone. "The EBA also needs time to synchronize with broadcasters in various Europe countries. I will personally fly to New York next month during the NBA NBA Finals, and we can sign a strategic memorandum first."
"It's a deal." Stern's tone relaxed completely; he was very satisfied with this massive and clearly defined "open source plan." " Lin Qi, thank you for making the connection. I wish you all the best in tomorrow night's Eastern Conference Finals."
The call ended.
Lin Qi looked out the window at the Boston street scene and let out a long sigh. With just a few simple exchanges, Boston not only cleared away all the off-court obstacles it might face in Eastern Conference Finals, but it also conveniently increased the commercial value of its EuroLeague by leveraging David Stern's ambition.
The business matters are settled.
All that's left is pure basketball.
Lin Qi picked up the Philadelphia 76ers scouting report again and turned to the page with Allen Iverson and Jermaine O'Neal.