Chapter 380: NFL Team Owner

As the Cannes International Film Festival ended, Manchester United won the Champions League final against Chelsea in a penalty shootout to lift the trophy.

However, Charles took Lin Chi-ling, who had just attended the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, to Paris for a few days and then flew directly back to Miami at the end of the month.

The reason was, the Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga finally agreed to sell the team!

Charles offered $1 billion in cash, which smelled sweeter than the $1.1 billion offer from real estate magnate Steve Ross of the Vornado Realty Trust, who couldn't offer cash.

Charles finally became an NFL team owner in North America, and a big market like Miami no less.

The Miami Herald first reported the biggest acquisition in North American sports so far, a $1 billion deal, marking the first time a North American team was valued over $1 billion.

The New York Times: "Charles Capet's CSE Group showed its teeth again after acquiring the Premier League champion club Arsenal last year!"

The Wall Street Journal: "The Hollywood entertainment magnate is becoming a sports tycoon too!"

In Charles's big mansion on Jupiter Island in West Palm Beach, Miami, he chatted with Miami Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel.

"A lot of land surrounds the Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, which could be fully utilized. My idea is to build a new rehabilitation center, training base, and business executive center.

Currently, there are significant issues with the execution at Dolphin Stadium; the ticketing and management departments are too far from the field, and the training base being at Nova Southeastern University's training grounds is not as comfortable as having our own.

My goal is a metropolitan complex comprising the club headquarters, rehabilitation center, training base, and commercial plaza, hotels, and office buildings!"

Tom Garfinkel listened to Charles's words, "These investments must be considerable, right?"

"They're manageable. At least we need headquarters and a training base first. The rehabilitation center can be cooperatively established with medical institutions, not exclusively for the team.

The commercial center, hotel, and office buildings can also be developed with real estate groups. The Dolphin Stadium area is about 200 acres, with the stadium taking up less than 30 acres.

I will invest at least $100 million in this stadium-centered complex. Naming rights and tourism would easily cover the costs!"

The Miami Dolphins were bottom-tier then; improving their performance needed to be expedited. Miami had hosted several Super Bowls, and the January or early February sunshine was very appealing for the game.

The Super Bowl venue for the 2009 season had already been decided to be at Dolphin Stadium, taking place at the Miami Dolphins' home ground in early 2010.

Before the 2009 season started, Charles aimed to secure a naming sponsor for the stadium, which had only been called Dolphin Stadium since 2006.

"Prepare well for this season. We still have time before September when the season starts. Do a great job in recruiting new players!"

Tom Garfinkel's heart was still racing when he left Charles's villa; Charles Capet was much more generous than Wayne Huizenga.

After Tom Garfinkel left, Charles went to the pool behind the villa, where Lin Chi-ling was lying comfortably on a deck chair, enjoying the sunshine.

Charles sat down next to her and kissed her on the cheek, "How come you're not out shopping? Don't you like Miami?"

"I've already explored quite a lot in Paris, spent a few more days in Miami, and it's been over half a month since I left. I suppose it's time to head back!" Lin Chi-ling had seen the lifestyle of the super-rich during this period, and it was indeed grand.

...

After the European Cup ended, Charles needed to focus on Arsenal's player transfers before the summer season in North America ended.

After Lin Chi-ling flew back from Miami, Charles returned to New York and attended the premiere of 27 Dresses on June 11.

The nationwide release of 27 Dresses in North America was on Friday, June 13.

"Naomi Watts is pregnant; her belly is already showing. We need to replace the female lead in The Proposal," director Anne Fletcher explained to Charles in the theater's lounge.

*****

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