Chapter 49 Could Stern Possibly Be Looking to Adopt Me as His Foster Son?

As Stern reached this point, Silver beside him suddenly bent down and pulled a pre-prepared poster from beneath the table!

It was Lin Tian’s poster!

"Lin Tian, a Chinaman! A rookie with exceptional playing style, team exposure, strength, and team status. Most rare of all, in a league where superstars are generally plain-looking, Lin is exceptionally handsome! He can definitely become a new generation idol—a national superstar who can help us break into China!"

"I believe that Lin’s arrival will be the most important opportunity in our league’s history! An opportunity for us to step out of North America and bring the game and the league to China and even the entire Asia!"

"My personal plan is to fly to China again in the next few days! I want to have a thorough discussion with the officials there, striving to get them to broadcast our games on time every week! I want to completely spread our fame!"

"Using Lin and the Bulls as our primary promotional focal points and targets, we will market our entire league, making the whole of China stop watching soccer and start watching basketball! Gentlemen, this is the true reason I called you here!"

"I want you to start making preparations, begin promotional efforts, and use all your means and connections to promote towards China and the entire Asia! Promote our league and build our reputation! What I can do is get the officials over there to agree to broadcast our games."

"And what you must do is make the Chinese willing to sit in front of their televisions and watch our games! Anticipate our games! This will be a lengthy project, and perhaps we won't reap huge profits in the short term."

"But when one day the NBA becomes an indispensable part of Chinese lives, when our importance to them surpasses the top five European football leagues, we will definitely cash in! And the profits will be absolutely massive!"

Stern’s speech set the blood of every top executive in the league boiling with passion!

Just as Stern said, their globalization efforts in recent years had not been going well. Although Jordan and the others on the Dream Team received god-like treatment in Barcelona, the NBA had not actually captured much of an overseas market.

Their footsteps had stalled.

But now, they were truly facing an opportunity!

Lin Tian might actually become that most crucial figure!

Thus, fueled by Stern’s motivational rhetoric and grand visions, everyone quickly cast aside the brawl incident and eagerly plunged into brand-new work!

***

After everyone had left, Stern said, "Adam, help me book the fastest flight to China. I want to sort all this out as soon as possible!"

"Wait, never mind! Let's hold off for a moment. I think I should talk to this Lin first. If we can reach some kind of consensus, it might be even more beneficial for our publicity! Are they coming to New York for a game anytime soon?"

"In a week, they will be visiting New Jersey to play against the Nets."

Stern nodded and said, "Then book the ticket for right after that game!"

Meanwhile, far away in Chicago, Lin Tian had no idea he had become Stern’s most crucial pawn for invading the Asian market. He was currently fast asleep in bed. The night before, Rodman had dragged him to a nightclub to party, where he drank heavily and felt thoroughly miserable.

Yet the harder his hangover hit, the more incessantly his phone rang! Lin Tian felt that ever since he came home and closed his eyes, the phone had not stopped ringing for a single second, its jingles and chimes going off continuously!

Finally, Lin Tian simply reached out, pulled the telephone cord straight out of the wall, and went back to his sweet slumber.

When Lin Tian woke up again, it was already nearly noon. Unhurriedly tidying up, he found the telephone cord he had unplugged and plugged it back in.

Almost the moment the cord was reconnected, Lin Tian’s phone rang once more!

"Lin, have you seen the news? Your suspension results are out." The call was from Bulls General Manager, the chubby Jerry Krause, whose tone carried unmistakable excitement.

"Not yet. How many games am I suspended for?" Lin Tian asked, stifling a yawn.

"Five games, plus a fine."

Krause continued excitedly, "That’s not the main point, though. The main point is that this morning, Stern called me and asked for your number. He’ll probably be calling you, so you’d better stay close to the phone!"

"Why should I hover by the phone? He doesn't pay my salary! Not only does he not pay me, but he’s also fining a hefty sum out of my pocket!" Hearing that Stern was looking for him, Lin Tian's interest plummeted immediately.

If Stern’s daughter were looking for him, he’d have some interest. As for this cunning old man, Lin Tian truly couldn't be bothered to engage in excessive communication.

***

Therefore, after hanging up on Krause, Lin Tian did not stay by the phone at all, nor did he even bother listening to the dozen or so voicemail messages. Instead, he turned around to go look for food. As for why Stern was looking for him? Lin Tian couldn't be bothered to waste brain cells guessing either!

Unless Stern wanted to adopt him as a godson, promising that he would never be called for traveling from then on, that opponents would draw a whistle just by brushing against his arm hair, and that he could freely initiate rip-through fouls to guarantee himself 15 free throws per game, then Lin Tian might consider acknowledging an older brother figure!

Well, an older brother figure at best!

He, Master Lin, had very strong bottom lines, thank you very much!

Casually eating while watching news and programs on television, Lin Tian found that less than 30 minutes later, his phone rang yet again.

"Hi, Lin. I'm David Stern. I suppose Krause told you I’d be calling?" Stern’s naturally affable voice emerged from the receiver.

Even without video or seeing Stern in person, merely hearing his voice conjured the image of the bespectacled, smiling Stern right before Lin Tian’s eyes!

Come to think of it, this was the first time Lin Tian had ever spoken to Stern!

Back at the draft, Lin Tian was merely a second-round pick; the league's deputy commissioner, rather than Stern, was the one who announced his name and posed for photos with him.

"Yeah, Krause mentioned it to you. Mr. Commissioner, is there something you need?" Unaware of what Stern actually wanted, Lin Tian maintained his politeness.

"You're a top-tier graduate from Penn, so I won't beat around the bush with you. Shall we get straight to the point?" Without waiting for Lin Tian's response, Stern continued directly, "I hope that in the coming period, you can present yourself in a friendlier and more radiant manner!"

"Pay attention to your image. We hope you can mold yourself into a polished gentleman like Grant Hill—a genuinely well-educated elite rather than running around like a roughneck hooligan as you are now. That is extremely detrimental to your future development."