Chapter 590: Wizarding World of Harry Potter

On the night of July 11th, after the World Cup final, Charles flew back to Florida from South Africa.

He was preparing to attend the opening ceremony of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando!

Miami in July was hot and rainy, with Atlantic hurricanes making it a bad season. Inside the office building of the Miami Dolphins at the Bank of America Stadium in the Miami Gardens.

Dolphins Club Chairman Tom Garfinkel was discussing with Charles about collaborating on building a new sports rehabilitation center and training facility.

Currently, the training facilities for the Miami Dolphins were at the Nova Southeastern University training base. Although the renovated Bank of America Stadium included commercial office space, it was primarily used for the business operations of the stadium and the ticketing center for the Dolphins.

"We could construct a professional NFL sports rehab center and training base, allowing us to monitor athletes' physical indicators and health status to prevent injuries."

Charles looked at the proposal. Tom Garfinkel mentioned so much, but he had just one purpose: funding.

"$75 million budget, this training base and rehab center aren't small at all," Charles noted, considering the ample land around the Bank of America Stadium - it was, after all, in the suburbs of Miami Gardens, a satellite city of Miami.

"Charles, we aim to establish a professional training system and rehab center. It won't just serve the Dolphins' athletes but could also benefit other residents. And at that time, some sports media outlets, like NBC Sports, could film content at the training base for their broadcasts?"

As soon as Tom Garfinkel mentioned this, Charles' eyes lit up. NFL Network and ESPN were broadcasting NFL games non-stop each week.

Other film media struggled to get in on the action. Still, producing some behind-the-scenes content from the Dolphins' training base was doable.

Just like how Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool had set up their club-specific TV channels to broadcast their club news in recent years.

The NFL had its network platform and wouldn't create its broadcast platform - but Charles, being the owner of Capet Pictures, held NBC as well.

Broadcasting some behind-the-scenes footage of the New Jersey Nets and Miami Dolphins' training and various news would be an insider advantage.

"Alright, get the design done as soon as possible. It could boost the local economy too. Discuss the development process with the Miami Gardens Council," Charles supported this decision, as it undoubtedly benefited the club.

...

That night, Charles returned to the beachside vacation villa in West Palm Beach and met Ivanka, who had completed the acquisition of the Doral Golf Resort & Spa with Morgan Stanley.

By the pool, Charles and Ivanka enjoyed barbecue and champagne. "Two hundred million dollars in cash, and then an estimated $100 million more for the renovation of Blue Devil Stadium and the resort hotel; By then, Doral Golf Club will surely become Florida's premier golf resort!"

"No problem, Capet Real Estate funds are quite sufficient," Charles focused on cooking the meat, seemingly unconcerned about the Doral Golf Club.

"The World Cup, the newspapers said you won a few million dollars again?" Ivanka laughed, picking up the cooked meat to eat.

Charles nodded, "So lucky, can't stop it. We're attending the opening ceremony of Harry Potter World at Universal Studios in Orlando this weekend. Then we'll head to Lake Tahoe. The weather here is just not likable!"

July is a vacation month, indeed.

"Sure, I need a break too. So many things to handle, though Jerry Brown's campaign activities are almost non-stop," Ivanka shook her head. "Fortunately, Florida's campaign activities don't require much attention!"

"My focus is still California; Florida is too far," Charles' base remained in Los Angeles. Doing well in California could ensure an unbeatable position.

"The San Francisco Bay Area is a representative area of Northern California; you should put in some effort there," Ivanka reminded suddenly.

Charles smiled, "Don't worry, San Francisco's always been the financial center of the West Coast, plus it's close to Silicon Valley; who could ignore it? The West Pacific Union Bank has considerable business in the Bay Area!"

Not to mention, the headquarters of Bank of America is also in San Francisco. Although there's a New York office, the importance of San Francisco cannot be overstated.

Currently, Charles was a member of the Bank's board and a shareholder, with his role becoming more significant. If he could truly rule Hollywood and become the top master of the American media empire, the Capet family could become real power in America!

...

On July 17th, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially opened at Universal Studios Orlando. J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter novels, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products executives attended.

Charles also attended the opening ceremony with Ivanka!

The scene was bustling, with enthusiastic visitors pouring into the long-awaited Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

As part of Universal's Islands of Adventure, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter had a tremendous impact!

"J.K. Rowling has too many ideas, and she's too involved," Charles complained to Steve Blount in the office, expressing frustration with J.K. Rowling.

Steve Blount smiled wryly, "Previously, Disney competed with us over Harry Potter but couldn't stand J.K. Rowling's interference and backed out..."

"So, Universal Studios could collaborate with J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.!" Although Charles knew this, some of J.K. Rowling's ideas were really outlandish.

Selling Harry Potter friends' sweaters in Florida? It's mostly over 20°C year-round in Florida; who would buy British-style sweaters?

Banning Coke, pizza, and hamburgers, these American foods? Eventually, considering that Coke was the exclusive beverage of Universal Studios' theme parks globally, they allowed it alongside Harry Potter's Butterbeer.

Charles eyed Steve Blount and bluntly said: "Tom Williams leaving Universal Studios Theme Parks Group is certain, and in the Orlando Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling have too much say.

Hollywood Universal Studios' Transformers and Marvel Universe areas will open soon. Orlando must quickly start designing the Transformers, Marvel Universe, and Shrek areas.

Also, control the size of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area in Universal Studios Osaka; let Narita take Japan's national conditions into account. Universal Studios theme park resorts can only have one master, and that's Capet!"

*****

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