Anne concluded her meeting with Mr. Avad when he finally agreed, even while refusing the 5% stake in Marvel Films and 20% of Marvel Toys. It's less fair, but barely; his earnings can be credited to capital production and several other volumes that give life and design to the entertainment world. The 5% from a billion-dollar gain—the investment—amounts to 50 million, enough to retire and enjoy a pleasant life.
-That will be all, Mr. Arad, -commented Anne as she drafted the contract. Managing numerous functions was just the icing on the cake, from maintaining order in the Santa Monica studio to considering the recreation of a massive studio in Star Wars style. Billy toyed with the idea of building a far larger mega-attraction in San Jose, where the land, where the Star Wars production studio already thrived, only needed another mega-studio not too far away.
It could be twice as big — he was already envisioning the project: Marvel on one side, Star Wars on the other, a wax museum of the characters in the middle, alongside various stores selling unique Lux Animation items. He could even add Jurassic Park and a Pokémon Park. After all, he had 20 acres to fill, and in the coming years, San Jose's building infrastructure would transform no other.
With three board members in favor, only Ronald Perelman's vote and one neutral abstention remained.
-What if the upcoming animated series succeeds?- asked Avi Arad.
-It won't perform like the others for two simple reasons: we already delivered a product two years ago that surpasses the series Saban will likely produce. When we worked with Saban, we invested heavily to bring a sinibringing life with every detail in place. Out of the 150 episodes completed in four years, we did what was required, - replied Anne, aware that Lux Animation's mega-production was her first big project, setting everything in motion.
…
-Darling, are you sure you don't want some wine?- asked Monica.
I not in the mood today. The week has been unbearable... your dear Billy has doubled my workload with all the extras, and the recent acquisitions have exhausted me. - She took a deep breath. -Tomorrow, the newspapers will have a field day with Billy. It's likely we'll have the press all over us for quite some time again, - said Anne, kissing Monica — something she never imagined she'd do, but now, as Billy had told her, Sunday night with Anne Hall was another side of her entirely.
-Tomorrow it is then. What a shame,- murmured the Italian woman, giving a light kiss on each cheek as they said goodbye.
Shortly after Anne left, Billy explained that tomorrow, news would break about the acquisitions of the San Francisco 49ers, along with details on the purchases of the San Jose Sharks, Golden State Warriors, and San Francisco Giants — four teams that represent the world of sports, with a possible addition of the LA Galaxy. Interestingly, these teams could be acquired by Americans or those with a strong connection to sports through consistent support. For instance, Billy promised to establish sports talent centers, support women's teams, and make donations to certain sports initiatives, all of which he must fulfill within five years.
-Tomorrow, they'll announce the purchase of the San Francisco 49ers, - commented Billy, realizing the days ahead would be busier. The sports franchises were important for now, but in 15 years, these would become major financial movements, and owning a team would be even more challenging.
Monica frowned, watching Billy's impenetrable thoughts unfold. It was increasingly difficult to understand his motives; he was involved in countless ventures, making it hard to tell if it was all part of a larger, strategic move. For her, sports represented soccer — it was politics, social fame, passion, and a unique way of understanding life. She shrugged, knowing she would gradually understand his actions over the years. Billy was solely focused on entertainment; it was his goal, his foundation, the key to a fulfilling life.
-You bought the San Francisco 49ers? Oh my god, - murmured Winona, interrupting.
***
April 6.
Sports Magazine.
In a historic transaction that has shocked the sports world, well-known entrepreneur Billy Carson has successfully acquired four major Bay Area sports franchises: the San Francisco 49ers, the San Jose Sharks, the San Francisco Giants, and the Golden State Warriors. This unprecedented move, both in scale and impact, establishes the new owner as a dominant figure in professional sports and sets the stage for transformative changes across multiple leagues.
A Strategic Vision for Bay Area Sports
The mastermind behind this daring acquisition is a well-known figure in finance and entertainment, famed for his successes and adept at handling complex deals with both short-term and long-term payoffs across various ventures. His decision to heavily invest in these iconic Bay Area sports teams not only reflects a passion for athletics but also a profound understanding of the region's cultural and economic landscape. As the owner of NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA teams, he is poised to create synergies across sports, marketing opportunities, and community engagement initiatives.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this acquisition is his vision of collaboration between franchises. The new owner plans to implement innovative strategies to integrate operations, from shared marketing campaigns to collaborative fan engagement experiences. Nike's involvement through Lux Animation has already been noted. For instance, season ticket holders for one team may benefit from exclusive discounts or early access to events of another. This approach aims to unite fans from different sports under a common pride for the Bay Area.
This move could also revolutionize local sports infrastructure. Rumors suggest plans to upgrade shared facilities, including a state-of-the-art sports complex that would serve as a hub for training, entertainment, and fan experiences. This "sports city" concept would bring together players and fans from different franchises, fostering unity and loyalty.
Meanwhile, adding women's teams to these franchises — women willing to play and open new doors in sports — is just the icing on the cake.
…
-How does he do it? - remarked Michael Eisner, watching each of the young man's acquisitions month after month.
-He's a drug dealer, - Michael Ovitz joked with a shrug. -I think it's because he may be the only one running his company. He has numerous assets and only needs to sell one company to renew the others. There are rumors that it could be Autodesk, though some think it might leave the stock market altogether. I believe his red numbers are a strategy he can afford. Unlike us, who answer to shareholders, he's driven solely by his vision of the future. -
-I know that... it's frustrating to see his growth. Star Wars just had the highest-grossing opening weekend in history, and now I fear it will continue to expand uncontrollably,- commented Michael Eisner.
A year ago, there was talk of accusing Billy of monopolistic practices, but it was impossible when he wasn't involved in telecommunications and only partnered with major and minor companies. But the $98 million opening weekend in the U.S. weighed like Sisyphus's stone on every company's shoulders. This led Avi to seal the contract — when someone turns everything they touch into gold, they become legendary. The press tried to be negative but failed.
It's hard to criticize when something is truly good, and Star Wars had detractors, but fans unanimously loved the movie for what it was: a grand blockbuster, the first in the packed agenda of 1996.
-The kid has decided to partner with Miramax, investing in a movie. We could do business together, - Ovitz commented, considering the opportunity.
-He's refused to work with us! - remarked Michael Eisner.
Ovitz almost rolled his eyes. "Not attacking him doesn't mean he'll come seeking a partnership. He's more likely to keep his distance due to unfamiliarity."
...