Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 263 262 Indirect Damage

What, Li Wei is the topic of conversation again?

Is this supposed to be news? The 2017 rookie class doesn't have a single decent player—it's all Li Wei, Li Wei, Li Wei, day and night. Will it ever end?

On one hand, top pick Garrett finally recovered from injury, gearing up to make his debut in week five.

This defensive end was chomping at the bit, previously critiqued by the media for "staggering his entrance" because he didn't want to be compared with Li Wei, so he pretended to be injured to avoid direct competition—or was his injury just a little too timely?

Garrett had no defense against this—

Falling into mud, whether it's poop or not, it's all the same when it's on your pants.

His injury was real, but as a mere rookie, he couldn't hold a press conference to prove it; brooding over it, he couldn't swallow it nor spit it out.

But now he was ready, ready to get on the field and prove his abilities.

On the other hand, the top pick Trubisky also finally got his chance.

After the Chicago Bears started the season with one win and three losses, head coach John Fox finally decided to let this rookie quarterback take the field, and Trubisky had to face the challenge head-on amidst all the doubts and ridicule he carried.

Compared with Garrett, Trubisky found the overwhelming news about Li Wei even more bitter:

He, like Li Wei, had only one full NCAA season under his belt, yet he was chosen early in the draft amid a whirlwind of confusing moves, while piercing and tricky eyes all watched their performances.

Whenever Li Wei proved the media wrong, they would compare him to the innocent Trubisky, who was quietly studying the playbook on the bench and couldn't even figure out how to retort.

Now, the opportunity had finally come.

Both Garrett and Trubisky were sharpening their knives, but just as they were about to make their entrance, they were struck by a thunderbolt out of a clear sky—

Li Wei.

Once again, Li Wei.

Surely, they had thought that a whole month into the new season, the frenzy over the rookies would have cooled down, and they'd finally be able to focus on the game without the pressure, but once again, they were caught in the crossfire because of Li Wei.

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Now it was a matter of who could seize the opportunity.

Edwards also didn't anticipate how rapidly things would change.

Of course, in this era of the internet, hot news cycles could be measured in hours, and the dramatic shifts in the Professional League were on a daily basis. It had already been two weeks since his meeting with Li Wei in Los Angeles.

However, despite that, Edwards still hadn't expected Li Wei's skyrocketing rise and breakthrough index, continuously smashing expectations.

Adidas and Under Armour were making frequent moves. Although Edwards hadn't managed to discover the specific figures, Nike already felt the threat.

Rumors were that Adidas was ready to match the enormous sum proposed by Donald, 2.5 million US Dollars per year, but the duration was still under negotiation.

Rumors were that Under Armour hadn't matched the figure yet, but they were offering a contract akin to "Jordan X Nike," planning to launch a brand new product line around Li Wei and willing to share profits, though they hadn't yet agreed on the percentage.

After all, Football is not basketball, people could wear basketball shoes on the streets, but it's not practical to wear Football gear to the supermarket, so how to balance the profit-sharing ratio was being deliberated by Under Armour and Donald's side.

Nike, who made the first move, now lost its advantage.

Edwards and the Nike executives had discussed it; they knew the risks of signing now—what if the running back Li Wei gets injured next week; they also knew waiting further could plunge them into a more passive position, as for every game Li Wei won, Donald's bargaining chips increased.

At least Donald was right about one thing—

Chinese descent. Top Scholar. Rookie.

Now add "The Undefeated Golden Body" Lucky Star.

All of these factors combined gave Li Wei the potential to make history, a situation even Little Beckham didn't have.

It was now up to those bold enough to make the move.

Edwards didn't want to repeat the arrogant mistakes of Adidas and Converse from the past, especially since Nike had decided against renewing their contract with Federer, deeming his figures too high and unprofitable. They believed the Swiss King's career was drawing to a close, so Nike should focus on the future.

Could Li Wei be the answer?

Thus, Edwards sat down with Donald once again.

This time, they had to make a decisive effort to reach an agreement.