"Although the NFL is currently in the offseason, all teams are actively strengthening their rosters."
Standing in front of a massive stadium under construction, a reporter spoke into the camera, "This is a live report from an ESPN journalist. The Los Angeles Raiders, who just won the Super Bowl in February, have made a new move and are holding a press conference in front of the stadium under construction..."
The camera shifted from the reporter and panned to the temporary venue not far away. The venue was packed with people holding microphones, cameras, and camcorders—clearly fellow reporters.
After a brief adjustment, the camera focused on a group of people seated on the stage. At the center was Duke, who was bowing his head to sign a document, then exchanged contracts with Irene, who had just signed as well. The audience erupted in warm applause.
The reporter continued with a voice-over. "Today, the co-owners of the Los Angeles Raiders, Duke Rosenberg and Leonardo DiCaprio, officially signed a sponsorship agreement with Irene Lauder. This contract involves the Raiders' new stadium. Once completed, this stadium under construction will be officially named Lauder Stadium. It is reported that the total value of this sponsorship contract exceeds $100 million. Irene Lauder made this move to promote her line of sports skincare products..."
The camera zoomed in, giving close-ups of the people at the event one by one. The reporter's voice-over went on. "Today's press conference is full of big names. Not only are Duke Rosenberg and Leonardo DiCaprio here in person, but also the sponsor representative Irene Lauder herself. Star players from the Los Angeles Raiders, such as Tom Brady and Marshawn Lynch, are also in attendance."
At the press conference, Duke and Irene Lauder had finished exchanging contracts and were now posing together for a photo.
In fact, the signing between the two parties had been officially completed a few days prior. Being able to finalize a deal with his friend Irene Lauder's company had exceeded even Duke's expectations.
In North America, almost all professional teams sell the naming rights to their stadiums. The new home stadium Duke was building for the Los Angeles Raiders was no exception.
The stadium, already under construction, was expected to cost over $500 million and was designed to hold up to 81,000 spectators. If necessary, additional seating could be added to increase the capacity to over 100,000. According to the design specifications, it would be one of the most advanced and luxurious stadiums in North America and even the world.
Nancy Josephson's ICM had always been in charge of marketing for the Los Angeles Raiders. After the team successfully won the Super Bowl in February, finding a sponsor for the new stadium became a top priority. Irene Lauder's company was aggressively promoting a new men's sports skincare line at the time. The two sides hit it off instantly.
Although Duke missed his team's first Super Bowl game due to negotiations with Lucasfilm, he still attended this press conference. While winning the Super Bowl was important, marketing was a long-term endeavor.
His and Leonardo's appearance certainly made the press conference more eye-catching.
After the press conference, everyone moved to a nearby hotel, where the Los Angeles Raiders had prepared a formal reception dinner.
Unlike the main banquet hall, which hosted numerous media reporters, the smaller private hall was filled mostly with well-known figures from professional sports and Hollywood. Duke briefly socialized in the main hall, then left the rest to the Raiders' press officer and returned to the more comfortable private hall.
The reception dinner was very relaxed. In the small banquet hall, guests mingled in small groups, chatting about topics of mutual interest.
Next to a massive poster commemorating the Raiders' Super Bowl victory, Duke found Irene Lauder.
"You, the owner, didn't even attend the team's championship game?" Irene said, looking at the poster.
Duke shrugged. "I had more important matters to handle at the time."
Even two Los Angeles Raiders teams put together weren't as important as Lucasfilm.
Irene asked a waiter for two glasses of soda water, took a light sip, and asked Duke, "Has the Lucasfilm deal been completed?"
"The deal's completed." Duke accepted the glass Irene handed over and said before taking a sip, "But Lucasfilm is undergoing internal restructuring."
With a change in ownership, Lucasfilm was bound to undergo adjustments. Duke didn't intend to keep its loss-making divisions and planned to spin them off and sell them. In his vision, Lucasfilm's future focus would be on special effects technology represented by Industrial Light & Magic, and the Star Wars franchise along with its derivatives.
"So that means…" Irene smiled, "We'll have to wait a while to see the new Star Wars?"
Duke nodded, "The company needs to restructure, and projects have to be discussed. Three to five years, I'd say."
Although he already had some ideas for the new Star Wars series, Duke knew very well that this brand was not easy to build. New films and spin-offs had to be handled with care.
For a serialized franchise like Star Wars, recklessness would only backfire.
"What about you?"
It had been a while since they last met. Duke asked with concern, "Have you finished consolidating your business in China? You've spent so much time there these past two years—I thought you'd turned Chinese."
"Pretty much," Irene laughed happily. "The market potential in China is just too tempting. I think our company needs to continue shifting focus in that direction. Of all my brands, the fastest-growing ones in the past two years are all in the Chinese market."
She suddenly changed the subject. "I'll be going to China again in a while, probably staying for another stretch. If you happen to be there too, I'll treat you."
Duke smiled. "Sure. I expect my next film will be heavily promoted in China."
Over the past year, the Chinese film market grew by over 35%, an unprecedented increase in global film history. With the new Sino-American WTO memorandum taking effect, Hollywood studios and production companies were only going to pay more attention to the vast, untapped potential of the market across the Pacific.
Just like Irene had worked hard to expand her market share in China these past two years, Duke and Warner Bros. had never stopped promoting in the Chinese market. Especially after Duke acquired Lucasfilm, how to promote Star Wars culture in China became a key agenda item for Lucasfilm's management.
The Star Wars franchise had countless fans in North America and the West, but far fewer in China. If the new Star Wars wanted to generate massive revenue and profit, marketing in China would be critical.
After chatting a bit about their respective businesses, Irene changed the topic again and asked Duke, "Is Scarlett free tomorrow?"
"She's been working out lately," Duke thought for a moment and replied, "She shouldn't have anything important scheduled tomorrow."
Irene Lauder made a gesture as if making a phone call. "I'll call her and ask her to go shopping with me tomorrow."
After saying that, she waved at Duke and walked toward her assistant.
Duke also left and walked over to the small circle where Leonardo DiCaprio was, joining the casual chat.
"Hi, Tom. Hi, Gisele..." Duke stood next to Leonardo and greeted the two people across from them.
The two across from Leonardo were his ex-girlfriend Gisele Bündchen and Gisele Bündchen's husband, Tom Brady. The three of them seemed to be having a good time chatting.
This kind of situation is quite normal in North America, and Duke knew a bit of the backstory. Leonardo and Gisele Bündchen didn't break up because of any sharp, irreconcilable conflict. The main reason was that Leonardo wasn't willing to give up an entire forest just for a single tree.
"You did great at the Super Bowl."
Although he didn't watch the game live, Duke had seen some video footage. "Tom, I'm looking forward to you bringing more Super Bowls to the team."
In the Super Bowl, Tom Brady's performance was incredibly stable. He could be considered one of the key players in helping the team win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
After Gisele Bündchen greeted Duke, Tom Brady took her and walked off to another side. This quarterback was quite smart and took the initiative to keep a certain distance from Duke, the actual owner of the team. This was indeed a wise move.
"A very smart guy, isn't he?" Leonardo said, looking at Tom Brady's back.
"He really is." Duke lightly patted Leonardo on the shoulder. "If he weren't smart, why would Gisele Bündchen willingly marry him?"
Leonardo caught the teasing in Duke's words, raised a finger and pointed at him. "I won't be like you giving up all the people waiting for me just for one person."
"People waiting for you?" Duke couldn't help but shake his head. "Leo, your self-esteem is truly impressive."
"Isn't it true?" Leonardo put on a very smug expression. "If this were ten years ago, and you beckoned a blonde long-legged model, she would definitely go with you. But now? They probably wouldn't even look at you. Meanwhile, I just need to wave and countless models would be waiting for me."
Hearing that, Duke almost spit out the soda he had just taken a sip of. But the truth wasn't far off from what Leonardo said. In recent years, his fame had long been surpassed by countless newcomers in Hollywood. He had no advantage whatsoever in front of a master like Leonardo.
But Duke didn't regret it. People always have to constantly adapt to changing circumstances, and he was no exception.
This was the reception banquet of the Los Angeles Raiders. In the banquet hall, one could see quite a few sports celebrities. For example, the NBA superstar Kobe Bryant had come over specially to greet him.
Soon after, Duke saw someone who looked a bit familiar. It was a Black man, his massive build towering like a small mountain.