The day before the start of the 2009 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals, 3 p.m., Philadelphia.

Chen Mu rents housing.

Kevin ...... Planck ???! ”

In front of Chen Mu's eyes, the white man had a serious face, and at his age, his figure was quite good. And the feeling that the muscles on his body have just decayed into a trace of fat can also be judged at a glance that this person should have been an athlete before.

"It's me, it's an honor to meet you, Chen."

The white man seemed to have few smiles on his face, although he grinned at Chen Mu, his brows were still tightly locked, but he had a bit of the meticulous style of a soldier.

"Hahahaha, I just said you'd be interested!"

Duffy rubbed his hands beside him, looked at the man known as Kevin, and then looked at Chen Mu, and said with a smile: "THE CEO OF UNDER-ARMOUR, A NATURAL BUSINESS WIZARD, STARTED FROM SCRATCH IN THE GARAGE AND HAS BECOME A LISTED COMPANY BOSS, TALKING ABOUT KEVIN'S AFFAIRS, I CAN SAY THAT IT DIDN'T FIT MY EYES LAST WEEK!" ”

"Hello."

Chen Mu was also a little dumbfounded, Chen Mu had naturally heard of the name of UNDER-ARMOUR. Whether in the original timeline or in the current timeline, this company, which has only been established for more than ten years, has developed at an astonishing speed.

Starting out by selling skinny-wicking sportswear, Kevin Planck's entrepreneurial experience is legendary. However, perhaps it has something to do with his favorite rugby, UA's product line, most of which are rugby, running and other sports, and before 2009, it was rarely related to basketball.

And now, the time is exactly 2009, and Chen Mu vaguely remembers that in the original timeline, it was this year that UA began to announce its entry into the basketball field.

This delicate point in time. Kevin Planck, who is the CEO of the company, came to his house, is this going to dry the hair?

"UA wants to make products in the basketball field."

After Duffy introduced and touted each other, Planck opened his mouth and said his intention directly: "I know that it is unrealistic to convince you to transfer from NIKE to UA at this time, after all, you are a superstar and your popularity is bursting." Not to mention the influence of the signing, the popularity in the basketball circle, etc., let's talk about the sky-high buyout liquidated damages of your contract with NIKE. It's hard for us to grit our teeth and take it. ”

"But your personal influence can help us a lot."

"...... my influence?" Chen Mu didn't quite understand Planck's intentions, and asked puzzledly: "You also know that it is difficult for us to reach a contract, what use can my influence be?" ”

"To be honest, we ......" Planck sighed and bowed his head, "We were too arrogant and made a few wrong moves. ”

"We've been targeting the basketball market since last year. You know, we're already on the road in other sports. And in the quick-drying tight-fitting sportswear, we are at the forefront of the industry, no matter who the opponent is, we are not worthy. ”

"The basketball market is huge, mainly the international market is huge. You know that better than I do. We're basically a blank slate in basketball right now, but the pie is big, you know? We want a piece, and anyone wants a piece. In the field of sports. The market space for basketball, especially the international market space, is the fastest growing. ”

Planck's words. Anyone who knows a little bit about the sports field can analyze it, and Chen Mu immediately understood when he heard it, not only UA, but also any ambitious sports brand company has been aiming at the basketball market over the years.

Other ball games, rugby has a large market in the United States, and it is also a large market in some specific countries and regions. But in the international market, there are still quite a few countries that are not very interested in this sport.

Especially in China, the world's broadest market, rugby, baseball, ice hockey and other sports that make the Americas crazy, there is not much market space.

In the field of football, the penetration has already been penetrated, and it is not easy for new brands to take a share of the football field.

Other fields such as volleyball, table tennis, badminton, etc., also have a wide audience. Can sell products, especially if you want to develop in the field of fashion and fashion in the future, it seems that it is a little less hot.

It is not surprising that the basketball market, the international basketball market, and the Chinese basketball market have become the focus of competition among major brands.

"We don't want to be seen as a 'professional' sports brand all the time, only athletes and true sports fanatics will buy our products." Planck continued: "We want to be more 'widespread', more 'fashionable', and we want people who don't usually exercise at all to buy our products. ”

"Basketball shoes, of course, are the most suitable choice."

"So you guys went to some basketball players and wanted to poach ......?" Chen Mu understood a little and said with a smile.

“…… That's right, and ......," Planck nodded, "and the rejection was miserable." ”

"It's normal, in basketball, some of your ankle and knee pads and things like that are selling very well. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SNEAKERS, STARS ALWAYS WANT TO USE NIKE OR ADIDAS. Chen Mu nodded, not surprised by Planck's slap into the ashes.

"It's not just a refusal, alas," Planck shook his head: "We originally thought that the endorsement of basketball shoes was a matter ......of the amount of the contract. IF NIKE GIVES 10 MILLION, WE WILL GIVE 20 MILLION, ADIDAS WILL GIVE 20 MILLION, AND WE WILL GIVE 40 MILLION. But they were not interested at all, and without even giving us room to negotiate, they refused through their respective brokers. ”

Chen Mu can imagine that if he wants to stand out in a new business field, the strategy used by UA should be similar to the strategy used by ADIDAS when it wanted to turn around a few years ago:

There are not many spokespersons, but refinement. Since you want to make the first shot, you have to go straight to the big one. It's best to sign a few superstars at once, form a team like BIG5, and open up the market influence at once.

Chen Mu doesn't understand the professional things in business, but Chen Mu understands the psychology of athletes very well.

If UA sticks to this strategy, it will be difficult to open a gap in basketball, especially in the field of basketball shoes.

"Let's be honest, the few stars we contacted are not superstars of your level for the time being. We know where the limits of our influence are, and we don't get so arrogant. Planck raised his head and looked at Chen Mu with great sincerity: "But it's a coincidence that when I talked to my friend Bill about it, he said that the stars we contacted had a good relationship with you." ”

In Chen Mu's mind, several names appeared at once.

If you can't sign a superstar for a while, what would you do if you were Planck?

Of course, it's Robin next to Batman!

THERE ARE ONLY A FEW HOTTEST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE RIGHT NOW, AND THE TOP PLAYERS HAVE BEEN DIVIDED BETWEEN NIKE AND ADIDAS. But the deputies, second-in-command, second-in-command and even third-in-command around the superstars are not so stable.

Like Iguodala, like Mo Williams, like Gasol, like Rondo, and so on.

If UA can sign such a group of people, and then use them as a breakthrough to make a name, it is not a bad choice.

It's a pity that now it seems that even a star of this level, UA can't win it for the time being.

"It's not just the male athletes, it's the female athletes, and we've done the hard work." Planck continues: "Two years ago we started a program called TEAM-GIRL, which is aimed at the female market. But we only knew internally that our goal was to open up the basketball market by starting to test the waters with female players. ”

"And then it failed." Chen Mu said with a smile.

"Well, that's right." Planck scratched his head.

"So I hope I can play a role and help you fool some people and switch to the UA name." Chen Mu said.

“…… Don't worry, I won't make it difficult for you, no matter what kind of star you can call, what kind of endorsement contract you have, we can sign it at more than double the price! Planck said eagerly.

"I believe in you, I believe in you." Chen Mu smiled and waved his hand: "But the problem is that I am only friends with them. As you know, in competitive sports circles, there is only such a thing as an endorsement contract, and the players will hardly interfere with each other. It's hard to say whether your plan will work or not. ”

"I know." Planck gritted his teeth and said: "But we have no way out, to tell you the truth, in order to develop basketball shoes, the money we invested is already sky-high." If you can't open the road due to market reasons, you will give up, it is really ......"

"Unwilling." Chen Mu summarized for Planck.

"Uh-huh......!" Planck nodded vigorously, and finally opened his eyes as if he had thought of something, and looked at Chen Mudao: "Don't worry!" I have the right to decide how much you are paid, and I will never treat you badly! ”

“…… Let's put it this way. ”

Chen Mu had thoroughly understood Planck's meaning, and did not make a clear statement about Planck's invitation, and said with a smile: "Help you, you can, but you can't help in the way you say." ”

“…… What do you mean? Planck's eyes sank, a little puzzled.

"You're in a hurry, in other areas, you're already giants, but in basketball shoes, you're still in your infancy. No matter how good the product is, no matter how good the reputation in the circle is, without a suitable top superstar, everything is in vain. ”

In Chen Mu's mind, a complete chain of operation has been formed, and he said confidently: "If you trust me, I can give you a general idea, don't worry, within five years, UA will become one of the giants in the field of basketball shoes." ”

“……？？？”

Planck came back this time, but because of Chen Mu's good popularity among the players, he wanted to ask Chen Mu to help him. As a result, Chen Mu talked about business operations, which made Planck quite surprised, and looked back at Duffy in confusion. The latter shrugged his shoulders with a smile and pointed at Chen Mu, his eyes seemed to say:

This guy is so amazing~

"Don't worry, Kevin."

Chen Mu knew the worry in Planck's heart, reached out and patted the latter's shoulder, and said with a determined smile: "Believe me, my strategy will definitely make money, and let you make a lot of money......!" (To be continued.) )