Otaku Translation: Blackstone Code Chapter 101

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Subsequently, no one was willing to take over, so it remained in a semi-abandoned state. There was a rumor suggesting that the previous company was using the transfer of players from this professional club to launder money extensively. Later, due to some issues with the distribution of under-the-table bonuses, players involved in the process stepped forward to blow the whistle, leading to the collapse of the company.

However, there was hardly any relevant news circulating in the market. It was just said that the operating company mismanaged itself into ruin, leaving many people sighing over it.

But the reason no one took over wasn't solely due to certain issues with the club. Operating a club itself required a lot of money. Not every company could afford to run a professional club. The investment in it ranged from tens of thousands to millions annually, but the returns it brought were also remarkable.

Firstly, operators of professional clubs could receive favorable policies and support in many aspects, including tax exemptions and special sports subsidies from the municipal government and state government.

Secondly, a successfully operated club could bring a significant positive image to the company. As long as the team had a decent performance, people would support both the team and the company behind it.

There were also some social issues involved. For example, cities with professional sports teams generally had higher public safety rates than those without. People tended to choose watching games at home rather than committing crimes on the streets, or supporting a team could serve as an outlet for emotional release.

Another example would be the city's image; cities with professional sports teams would give people a sense of wellness and vitality. It made people believe that the city's inhabitants cared about health, sports, and life.

In short, it was a good thing.

As Lynch's car pulled up at the club's entrance, the club manager who had been waiting for a long time actively opened the car door for Lynch, slightly bowing with a flattering demeanor.

Beside him was a woman in her thirties wearing professional attire, glasses on her face, her expression seemingly reluctant.

After taking a glance at the woman who had been compelled to wear a revealing outfit, Lynch withdrew his gaze. Since the economic downturn, it had become customary to conduct business with a beautiful woman by one's side, as if doing so could increase the chances of success. It had evolved into a societal issue.

Noticing Lynch's tall stature and handsome appearance, the initial reluctance on the woman's face seemed to dissipate, and she no longer appeared concerned about her low-cut blouse or the overly short pencil skirt she was wearing.

As Lynch looked at the club's manager, the latter reached out and shook his hand vigorously. "Hello, Mr. Lynch. I'm Kane, the club manager. After I heard from the Athletes' Association (联运会) that you were coming today, I haven't slept a wink out of excitement. The long-lost sunshine has finally returned to our club!" His voice trembled slightly, seemingly very emotional.

The woman beside the manager felt a bit nauseous at the manager's blatant flattery, her eyes filled with disdain.

The regional branch of the state Athletes' Association called them yesterday to inform them that a prominent figure would be visiting their club today, with the possibility of relaunching the professional football program in Sabin City, causing the entire club to erupt with excitement in an instant.

Without sponsorship, the club couldn't retain good athletes, and without excellent athletes, the club would soon be dismantled, leaving only some older athletes with nowhere to go.

What made matters even worse was that the club couldn't even enjoy the subsidies provided by the Athletes' Association for professional athletes, given their withdrawal from the professional league. This was devastating for many athletes.

The Athletes' Association, officially known as the Baylor Federal Athletes' Association(拜勒联邦运动者协会), was an unofficial organization aimed at promoting sports in the Baylor Federation. According to the Baylor Federation's "Sports Development Act(体育事业发展法案)," all broadcasting rights for professional leagues specified in the act belonged to the Athletes' Association. The profits from such rights were used entirely to encourage, promote, develop, and build the sports industry in the Baylor Federation.

However, there was a prerequisite: they only supported professional clubs. Even the lowest-level professional leagues, both clubs and athletes, could receive some subsidies from the Athletes' Association, but not amateurs.

If Lynch could relaunch the club and even get it into the lowest-level professional league, it would be enough to give hope to those who depended on the club for their livelihoods.

So when they received the news last night, they were completely ecstatic. The manager had to bend over; the burden on his shoulders was too heavy, so heavy that he dared not straighten his back!

Lynch casually shook his hand, feeling the strength in it dissipate. The manager quickly let go of his hands and then turned to the woman beside him, introducing her to Lynch. "This is the club's chief assistant, Ms. Julie(朱莉)..."

Julie glanced at Kane and then shook hands with Lynch, quickly letting go.

Kane finally breathed a sigh of relief; he had been worried that Julie might cause trouble. With a tentative tone, he asked, "Shall we go inside and take a look?"

"Not yet, I have a friend joining us..." Lynch refused him and instead looked at the trophies displayed inside the club's glass walls.

It was evident that they had been struggling in recent years. The glass wall was covered in a layer of grime, indicating it hadn't been cleaned in a long time. Inside, the trophies were well preserved, including some state-level championship trophies.

These trophies were all from before the club encountered major trouble. At that time, they had brought in many powerful players who contributed a lot to the club. If it weren't for what happened later... they might have had a chance to compete for the Four Corners Cup(四方杯 a secondary league cup under the Baylor Federation's league system).

As Lynch looked at these items, Manager Kane's gaze also shifted over to the trophies with Lynch's. A hint of sadness gradually appeared on his face, but he quickly regained his composure and determination.

He must persuade Lynch to invest in the club, even if his investment in the end wasn't substantial. However, as long as it could cover the daily expenses, they would eventually be able to return to the top-level battlefield.

Just then, three cars arrived in a line, each one a new luxury car, which surprised Kane slightly.

Lynch turned slowly, watching Mr. Fox emerge from the middle car. He greeted Mr. Fox with a smile, exchanged a hug, and then greeted Fox Junior. Following that, he introduced Kane to Mr. Fox and his son before entering the club under Kane's lead.

"As soon as you mentioned that you have a new idea, I couldn't wait to come..." Mr. Fox emphasized his enthusiasm, "What's your idea this time?"

Kane, who was walking ahead, had been paying attention to the conversation between the three people behind him. At this moment, he heard Lynch say, "a club, rugby league, and those new business ventures we talked about before."

"The entertainment industry?" Mr. Fox's voice raised slightly, "I thought when you said the entertainment industry, you meant making films or something. Does sports also count?"

Lynch nodded with a smile that seemed to imply something, "I have to say, your understanding of entertainment is still superficial. In my opinion, as long as it brings joy to the audience, it can be considered part of the entertainment industry."

He paused for a moment, his face showing a brilliant smile, "We will usher in a new era, Mr. Fox. Do you believe it?"

Mr. Fox's face also showed a bit more smile, as if he had been infected by Lynch, "As long as it's you who says it, I believe it."

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