Chapter 368: NFC

In Glendale, inside Arthur's office.

Amy Pascal sat on the sofa, discussing some current issues regarding television stations. "Michael Eisner from Disney and Jack Welch from General Electric are discussing the acquisition of NBC again.

Jack Welch proposed selling 49% of NBC's shares to Disney because Bob Wright, the Vice Chairman of GE, is currently managing NBC. Jack Welch hopes to have Bob Wright manage it for a while longer. With Disney's collaboration, they would have more content resources from Disney."

Arthur smiled slightly. "It seems that Jack Welch still doesn't want to sell the controlling stake of NBC."

"Meanwhile, NBC is also negotiating with Microsoft to establish a joint venture news channel, MSNBC."

"What does Disney think about Jack Welch's proposal?"

"Michael Eisner is quite agreeable, as it would save a lot of funding and utilize NBC's vast media power," Amy Pascal said, sipping her wine. "However, I've heard that Disney's major shareholder, Sid Bass, disagrees. He believes Disney should fully acquire a broadcast network to retain all profits. At present, Disney's board is still discussing, and no information has been released."

NBC, the broadcast network, was acquired by GE for $6.2 billion in 1985, the same year Capital Cities acquired ABC.

Arthur mused. Following this, it's the stage for cable networks. Broadcast networks are more about politics and propaganda!

"I also heard that Westinghouse is in talks with CBS," Arthur said, pursing his lips in dismay. "Why are these industrial companies so focused on broadcast networks?"

In Hollywood now, besides Sony's Columbia and Panasonic's MCA Universal, the rest were eager to develop broadcast networks.

Paramount is establishing United Paramount Network (UPN), and Warner Bros. is setting up The WB Television Network, not to mention some of their parent companies' networks.

Does everyone want to emulate 20th Century Fox's efforts in building their own broadcast networks?

Arthur knew the outcome. In the future, UPN and The WB would merge due to low ratings, forming The CW, the fifth largest broadcast network in the U.S., but still at the bottom of the rankings.

"We should focus on cable networks," Arthur sighed. Fox Broadcasting Group had just launched the cable entertainment channel FX this year and was considering launching Fox Sports Net (FSN) and Fox News Channel (FNC).

MGM currently held USA Network and invested in ESPN, BET, Starz, and other channels.

If only he could get involved in another cable news channel; unfortunately, he doesn't have the means.

"Arthur, we have a significant advantage in content. We should maintain this advantage. We already have the basics in broadcasting," Amy Pascal said, concerned about Arthur getting involved in the current television network competition, which would severely burden MGM.

Arthur stood up. "Don't worry, I haven't lost my common sense."

MGM was his private asset now and had to be taken seriously...

...

In Florida, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, Arthur woke up beside Catherine Zeta-Jones and rubbed his eyes.

The bright Miami sunshine streamed into the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Dear, you're awake. Are you going to Tampa?" Catherine Zeta-Jones asked, stretching out her arm to reveal her fair, ample body.

"Yes," Arthur smiled, kissing her breast and feeling its softness.

"Arthur," Catherine Zeta-Jones caressed Arthur's body lovingly.

"Alright," Arthur sat up, "I need to meet some people in Tampa. Why don't you stay in Miami and wait for me?"

"How long will you be gone?" Catherine Zeta-Jones didn't mind, as she could have a proper rest.

"Who knows?" Arthur needed to check the specifics of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team.

Then, Arthur and Emily Heed took a car to Tampa, where she detailed the Buccaneers' situation to Arthur.

The perennial underperformers of the NFL, currently part of the NFC South, had only made it to the playoffs three times since their establishment in 1976.

"Hugh Culverhouse suddenly died, the Buccaneers are performing poorly, and their home, Tampa Stadium, is rundown and poorly attended," Emily Shear explained, looking at Arthur.

"Also, the NFL's new hard salary cap this year makes it even harder for the Buccaneers to attract talent," she continued.

"Hugh Culverhouse Jr. is hardly interested in running the team."

Arthur drummed his fingers on his knees. "What's the market value of the Buccaneers?"

"Around 100 million," Emily Heed replied promptly. "But there is competition, and the highest bidder now is Malcolm Glazer, a Jewish businessman."

"Ah, Glazer?" Arthur laughed, thinking of the Glazer family that would later buy Manchester United.

"They've bid 100 million dollars and promised to build a new stadium," Emily Heed explained.

"That's just talk. Once they buy the team, they'll pressure the city government to build a new stadium or use relocation as an excuse," Arthur was all too familiar with this tactic.

Emily nodded. "The Tampa Bay area's St. Petersburg has a newly built baseball stadium, Tropicana Field. It's always been used to lure a baseball team to relocate. Last year, MLB added the Colorado Rockies and the Florida Marlins. Many baseball teams use the threat of relocating to Tampa to get their local governments to fund new stadiums."

Tampa had always been striving to establish a baseball team, but MLB had its regulations and plans. Currently, Tampa only had the NHL team, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the NFL team, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"MGM's earnings this year are quite high. Allocating $200 million shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Not at all. MGM's debt ratio is very low, and if we need more funds, we can always borrow from banks..."

"Excellent," Arthur thought. He could not let the Glazer family acquire the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and take the path of sports investment. They wouldn't handle it well!

*****

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