abrasion

October 23.

Billy started attending the Golden Warriors' games regularly with Steve Parks. The coliseum needed some improvements, but it was sufficient to observe the overall functioning of the team. It lacked a bit of growth in both sports appeal and advertising.

The stadium had something special about it, but it required a lot of work. The stands were partially filled, and he couldn't deny the lack of a championship and the recent move had resulted in a shortage of local fans.

-For now, the sale hasn't been finalized. The best we can do is wait a bit. We're closing our…-

The basketball team purchase of the Golden State Warriors was another shocking move, along with a second-division team. Lux Sports expanded its reach by buying the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team. There are two new teams, one for basketball and one for soccer. Gregg Popovich, considered one of the best coaches, became successful after leaving the Golden State Warriors. However, Billy's knowledge was minimal beyond some ideas about key figures. They now needed a coach who could enhance the players' abilities or improve the team's overall performance.

- We need a strong coach who can choose someone with enough strength to improve the teams, - Billy remarked.

- Buying players, maybe? - Steve Parks suggested.

-Engaging in such activities is not good; it's simply annoying… I prefer to bet on young talent, those who have the potential to stand out above the rest, - Billy responded.

He thought of Kobe, someone he wanted for his team, a man with enough strength to be the advertising edge for the next fifteen years. With a good design, he could create a championship team. He knew Kobe's strength in training and self-improvement, but he couldn't enter the pre-selection this year.

Therefore, the only options were to bet on young talent, improve infrastructure, hire a good coach, invest in Kobe, stabilize the company's finances, and enhance the company's social appeal. The first was to leverage local support, and the second was to improve facilities, invest in different personnel, and enhance the commercial image.

-Do you have a good sports advisor and a good financial advisor?- Billy asked.

-We're looking to hire some good names. However, time and space are limited. Nevertheless, you have a great idea of hiring assistant coaches to train young novices. Creating a youth team could be fantastic,- Steve Parks commented.

-Money and money…- Billy whispered.

-We can extend the payment to 1996, at the end of the season, and bet on the San Francisco 49ers,- Steve Parks suggested, seeing more popularity in American football teams than in the basketball league.

The game ended with the Golden Warriors' defeat. Billy's success was overshadowed by the loss and his insensitivity, his facade completely serious. People who don't smile are frankly less approachable, making others hesitant to approach them.

***

$112 million—that's the total revenue generated by Sev7n. Despite the bleak expectations from all involved, critics received it with a genuinely polarized reaction, marked by various complaints. Yet, during Halloween, kids aged 12 to 15 would sneakily watch the R-rated film, laughing behind the scenes.

Alongside the critique, praise highlighted Billy's outstanding performance, showcasing a new level of acting prowess. The public didn't yet recognize Billy's triumph with Jerry, but no one could deny that their performances were among the best in history.

-We need to capitalize on this momentum, - remarked Cameron Crowe, noticing the surge in publicity caused by Billy, just two months before the launch of Jerry Maguire.

-Not much. The kid already told us he'd be releasing two animated films from his company and would actively participate in the publicity to boost the February season, - commented James Lawrence Brooks, who had a significant influence working with Billy. Besides, he wasn't worried; the young man would distribute the film and also have a 20% stake in production investment, over the 15% distribution cost of the box office. It was enough to motivate the young man to strive.

A price James considered acceptable for his production company, Gracie Films, which produced The Simpsons. He liked business, and with Billy's professional demeanor, he was willing to include him in his next project, "As Good as It Gets," a film that had been on his mind since he saw the young man's potential. If Jerry Maguire was as powerful as he initially thought, he would invite the young man and, of course, Cuba Gooding Jr., the new acting revelation.

-I'll call him and ask him to attend a celebration party with some journalists… it could soften the critics. It's no secret he has certain enemies in the industry, - James muttered to himself, but Cameron eyed him keenly.

-What do you mean? - Cameron asked.

-It's an open secret, but Billy's meteoric rise has irked people in the industry. His animation company is one of the best at the moment, and some deals ended in true failures or hit a turning point with Warner. In business terms, he has a total war relationship, with little time to respond, yet the company keeps growing. Now he's venturing into film, with his TV production company growing at an unprecedented rate, causing discomfort due to the few favors he has asked for. He's unpredictable for the industry, breaking the equilibrium even more with his new partner, Steven Spielberg,- James explained.

-Among other things, his recent comic production has also taken a hit, - James concluded.

-Wow… I never thought anything could forge itself like this behind the scenes. Is that why you were hesitant to cooperate with the kid initially? Every time I think things are straightforward, I'm surprised again. Don't tell me more… you know I hate these political dealings in the industry. I'll be with my wife, playing the fun but boring guy who leaves at nine because he's worried about getting up early the next day, - Cameron responded, weary of Hollywood's surprises.

Exhausted and troubled by Billy's situation, Cameron decided to put it aside, now seeing the malice in Hollywood. A small pang of regret for Billy's relevant struggles—if only they would let him grow and support him, perhaps Hollywood wouldn't stagnate for a few years; growth and free competition.

-Are we watching the game on Sunday? - Cameron asked before leaving, his tall figure and long, messy black hair standing out as he exited the room.

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