I'd like to invite you to be the brand ambassador for my sports drink. ”

Sure enough, as Link expected, this was the business collaboration that Kobe Bryant was talking about with him.

In 2014, Bryant, who was still playing at the time, had already begun to expand his business empire in preparation for retirement.

Although the sports drink market at that time was almost occupied by Gatorade, Bryant believed that the market potential of sports drinks was still very huge.

So at that time, he invested $6 million to buy a 10% stake in BodyArmor sports drink, ready to get a piece of the pie with Gatorade.

After Kobe Bryant joined the sports drink, the brand quickly caught the attention of fans due to his historical position in the NBA.

The sports drink was also able to break new ground under Gatorade, with BodyArmor sports drink sales of $280 million this year, accounting for 6% of the U.S. sports drink market, second only to the giant Gatorade!

It is believed that in a few years, Gatorade's position as the leader will definitely be threatened.

In order to achieve the goal, Kobe, the major shareholder, naturally had to take some promotional measures.

If he can sign a superstar like Link to endorse the drink, there is no doubt that the sales of the drink will definitely increase exponentially!

For the past two years, Link has sold the most jerseys and sneakers in the league. Last season, even after jokes changed the All-Star voting rules, Link was still the All-Star vote leader.

All of these facts point to the fact that Link has extraordinary market leadership, super popularity and a large fan base.

If Link becomes the face of BodyArmor, with his influence, it will definitely greatly stimulate sales and further threaten Gatorade's position.

Besides, Kobe Bryant and Link have joined forces, which is already very topical.

One is a superstar who has just retired, and the other is a superstar who is still in his prime. With such a combination, fans will naturally buy it.

"How? Think about it. You don't have to give me an answer right away, you can ask your manager to talk to me when you get back. One yard to one yard Link, I know we're friends. But business cooperation still has to look like business cooperation. So, it's better to go back and talk to your manager. Bryant patted Link on the shoulder.

If Kobe hadn't said this, Link might have agreed to him directly.

You can't play alongside Kobe Bryant on the basketball court, but it's a great experience to build a business empire with him.

"I'll ask Jeff to contact you as soon as possible, if I endorse your product, will it be free to drink it in the future?" I know that BodyArmor's drinks don't sell cheaply. ”

"Hahahaha, don't worry, it's enough!"

At this point, Vanessa and Kobe's daughters walked out of the bedroom, all dressed up and ready to greet the guests.

Bryant looked at the time, and it was already three o'clock in the afternoon. The guests he invited were almost all supposed to arrive.

So Kobe got up, looked at Link and Rachel, and opened his arms, "So, then, let's enjoy today's banquet." ”

※※※

Ten bedrooms, an indoor cinema, a games room, billiards room and two four-car garages, plus an oversized outdoor pool and a disproportionately large courtyard.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't just a luxury resort. Such a set of mansions belongs to Kobe Bryant, who has just retired. Bryant, worth $13.5 million.

When Link bought his own cottage near the lake in Memphis, he thought it was luxurious enough.

But after two days at Bryant's house, Link learned what it meant to be small.

In terms of spending money, Link is indeed a younger brother in front of most stars.

So while Bryant invited a lot of people to his home today, it didn't seem crowded at all.

No way, the house is big, you can do whatever you want.

Kobe Bryant was right, there was no media and no league and Lakers management to attend this banquet, there was not so much posturing and hypocrisy, it was purely a private party, and all the people who came were friends.

Among them, there are many stars such as O'Neal, who has already released his suspicions with Kobe, and there are also many friends in his entertainment industry.

Here, if you don't know a few people in the entertainment industry, they are embarrassed to say that they live in Los Angeles.

But among all of them, Link is the one he is most familiar with.

As a result, Link also talked to Wade the most.

However, Link could clearly feel that Wade was not in a high mood today.

"Dwayne, what's the trouble?" Link doesn't think there's a need to beat around the bush between himself and Wade.

"Trouble? No hassle. It's that Kobe Bryant is leaving the league, and he is a little sad. ”

"Come on, Dwayne, didn't anyone tell you not to look around when you're lying?"

"When did you become a psychologist?" Wade shook his head.

"Always, yes, this is for you, Dwayne." Link pulled out a delicate white envelope from his suit bag and handed it to Wade.

Wade was stunned for a second, but still reached out and took it, "What's it?" ”

Wade said, and directly opened it and looked at it. In the eyes of Americans, it is not rude to open something given to someone in person.

"Wedding invitations, Rachel and I are getting married in July this year. I was busy playing the playoffs some time ago, so I'm just starting to send invitations now. Since you're in Los Angeles right now, I'll just hand it over to you personally. Gotta come, Dwayne. I didn't invite too many people, but you were one of them. ”

Wade looked at the invitation, then at Link in front of him, and patted Link's arm with a smile, "Congratulations, buddy." Don't worry, I'll be there! Haha, I'm worried that I won't have anywhere to go this summer. Now, you've helped me solve a big problem. ”

"Well, Dwayne, I'll give you a list of wedding gifts I want."

"Get out!"

Wade laughed and raised his glass and touched it with Link, which was regarded as a blessing in advance.

Afterwards, Link continued to chat with other people and send invitations. Wade was left to stay where he was, smiling silently.

Before you know it, Link, the fledgling kid, is now going to be a husband.

Yes, Link is also Bensan's person. In the world of competitive sports, 28 years old is not old, but it is by no means young.

Wade shook his head, even Link was no longer young, let alone himself.

It's no wonder that the Miami Heat are hesitant to renew their contract this year......

Link was right, Wade did have something on his mind. His contract with the Heat is about to expire this summer, and after James left in the summer of '14, his two-year contract extension with the Heat was completed in a blink of an eye.

In the blink of an eye, the omnipotent Dwayne. Wade, the lightning-fast "Flash", is 34 years old!

Kobe Bryant of the 96 golden generation retired, and everyone of the 03 super platinum generation also came to the end of their respective careers.

Wade originally wanted to be like Kobe Bryant, who would retire in Miami for the rest of his life.

But until now, his contract extension with the Heat has still not been eyebrow-raising.

Not because Wade didn't want to renew his contract, but because Pat. Riley is actually thinking about whether to renew his contract!

In Wade's opinion, this is really nothing to consider.

Last season, the Heat went 48-34 and were still able to finish third in the West.

Last season, the Heat faced the young Raptors in the Eastern Conference semifinals until they lost to a tiebreaker. If Whiteside doesn't get injured in the playoffs, the Heat won't be able to compete with the Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference title!

Last season, Wade was still able to play in 74 games efficiently, and averaged 19 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

In the playoffs, he averaged a four-year high of 21.4 points per game and shot 52.2 percent from three-point range in the playoffs.

He remains the starting No. 2 for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.

All this shows that Wade is not old enough to be completely useless!

Of course, none of that is the most important thing.

Most importantly, Wade thinks he belongs in Miami! He began his career in Miami, where he won only two championships in franchise history. He gave everything he had for this team and gave him the best years of his career.

People say that he is the soul of the Miami Heat, equivalent to Duncan to the Spurs, Kobe Bryant to the Lakers, and Dirk to the Mavericks.

Such a player, even if he is really old and his ability has deteriorated, the team will keep him as much as possible.

Because as long as he stays, the soul of this team is still there.

But to Wade's great disappointment, Pat. Riley is actually considering whether to renew his contract!

Wade felt betrayed and abandoned.

He thought he belonged to Miami, and he thought he had a great position with the Heat.

But in the end, I realized that I was thinking too much about myself.

At this time, Kobe Bryant beckoned everyone to gather in the living room, and he will cut a large cake in the shape of the No. 24 jersey of the Lakers to bid farewell to his career in this festive way.

Wade looked at Kobe Bryant with envy on his face. It's not that I envy Kobe Bryant for having five rings, but that I envy him for being able to cut the cake in the shape of the Lakers' No. 24 jersey......

Wade wondered if he could retire wearing the Heat's No. 3 jersey if it were him.

At this point, Wade's phone vibrated a little. He came back to his senses and pulled out his phone as he leaned into the living room and looked at it.

It was Link, and he sent a text message to Wade, the content of which was simple, but it plunged Wade into an infinite reverie.

"List of wedding gifts: overall winner. If you're interested, let's do it together. ”

Of course, Link knew why Wade was bothered, but he didn't find out just now.

But what Wade will choose in the end is the "Flash's" own business......