"Alright, here is the recent information on Kyle Page. Now, everyone, let's head to the restaurant for a meal. After all, I can't let you stay hungry, can I?" Felix Luca said with a smile.
Hearing this, the members of the Adidas team nodded in agreement, smiles appearing on their faces.
As the senior vice president of Adidas, Felix Luca followed the law of the wolf and high-pressure policies. It indeed put a lot of pressure on his team, but... by following Luca, the money they earned was several times what it used to be.
Money is incredibly tempting!
They knew one thing: once they successfully acquired Under Armour Sports Goods Company or took a stake in Under Armour, it would count as completing their set goal. At that time, they would receive generous bonuses.
"This trip will definitely be a success!"
"That's right, guys, don't forget our boss is Felix Luca, who has exceptional business negotiation skills!"
"In March 2000, when we followed the boss to Italy to start the acquisition of Blood Clam (an Italian local sportswear brand), the boss settled everything in just five days."
"Hahaha, anyway, the bonus this time won't be small."
"Crow, don't be too careless. After all, our target this time is the super-rich Kyle Page. He has a lot of money!"
...Amidst the laughter and conversation, Luca and his team, led by a waiter, successfully arrived at the hotel restaurant from their suite.
The arrival of a dozen people did not attract too much attention from the other customers in the restaurant. After all, most people staying and dining at the Baltimore Central Hotel were social elites who were used to big scenes.
However... Mark Parker, the senior vice president of Nike headquarters and the future CEO of the Nike sports kingdom, was also staying and dining here at this moment.
Even more coincidentally, the table next to Mark Parker was Felix Luca's.
Mark Parker: "..."
Felix Luca: "..."
Both were momentarily stunned, dazed by the situation.
This is too damn coincidental.
For a moment, this dinner felt incredibly eerie, and both the Nike and Adidas teams fell somewhat silent.
Not only that, but Parker and Luca had also had a direct confrontation before.
In 1998, Parker represented the Nike team in an acquisition of the Polish sports brand UTRW. However, just as the contract was about to be finalized, Luca personally led the Adidas team and arrived.
They cut in!
Luca's grand gesture directly ruined Nike's acquisition.
But Nike's Parker was no pushover either. In the end, neither Adidas nor Nike successfully acquired UTRW; both failed, and a third-party company, Puma Sports Goods Company, took the opportunity to acquire it.
Since then, the two have held a grudge... Hotel suite — Nike team.
"Damn it!"
"I never expected that damn fellow Luca would actually come to Baltimore!"
"What is he doing here?"
"Based on my understanding of Adidas and Luca himself, they are 100% here for Under Armour!"
Mark Parker was extremely angry, his expression shifting unpredictably. If it weren't for his student Smith Jo being right there and needing to maintain his image, his anger would have likely exploded long ago.
Smith Jo's face didn't look good either: "Teacher, I think you're right. Adidas is here for Under Armour and Kyle Page. If not for an acquisition, then for a stake. Of course, the ultimate goal is still to cause trouble for us at Nike!"
Nike and Adidas were both giants in the sports brand industry. Even though there were tens of thousands of sports goods companies worldwide, between the two of them, they were nothing.
Even the sports kingdom of Puma could not be compared with the two of them at all!
The grudge between Nike and Adidas has a long history.
Well, the same goes for Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
"No way! I can't let Under Armour smoothly fall into the arms of Adidas."
After a brief silence, Parker made a decision: "Smith, arrange a remote video call immediately. I want to speak with the chairman and Mr. Li Tuo. We must also join the action to acquire Under Armour."
"Yes!"
Smith Jo immediately nodded like a woodpecker.
Before long, the remote video call began.
High-ranking Nike shareholders and top management appeared on the computer screen one by one.
Executive President Li Tuo: "Parker, we will consider your suggestion as soon as possible and give you a result within three days."
This statement was agreed upon by many shareholders and shareholder representatives.
For an acquisition, at least a deep understanding of Under Armour was needed; otherwise, how could they acquire it?
One of the shareholder representatives, Marion, echoed: "Mr. Li Tuo is right, we will consider it as soon as possible. However, Parker, you shouldn't stay idle either; you can get involved first and cause some trouble for Adidas."
"Hahaha~"
Hearing this, Mark Parker laughed loudly: "Don't worry, everyone. I can't say much about other things, but I'm very good at causing trouble for Adidas. I've wanted to settle the score with that fellow Felix Luca for a long time. This time, I won't let him have his way no matter what!"
...Hotel suite — Adidas team.
"The water is about to get muddy. I am 100% sure that Nike's team will join the acquisition of Under Armour!"
senior vice president Luca's face was extremely ugly at this moment, but at the same time, it was filled with determination.
The other members of Adidas present also nodded in unison.
It was foreseeable that this acquisition or investment action would not go so smoothly... The next day.
In the morning, the Adidas team, which had come all the way from Germany, sent a notice directly to the Under Armour company.
In the afternoon, Felix Luca vigorously led his team to the Under Armour company.
Luca: "Mr. Planck, the purpose of my visit is very clear: to represent the Adidas Group in starting an acquisition bid for your Under Armour Sports Goods Company. You don't need to be in a hurry; the acquisition price we are offering is 140 million dollars, which is a full 40 million dollars above the market price."
Kevin Plank admitted he was tempted, but he still shook his head very firmly: "Mr. Luca, I appreciate the importance the Adidas Group places on our Under Armour, but I will not agree. Believe me, even my boss, Mr. Kyle Page, will not agree either."
If it had been before Kyle arrived in Baltimore, Planck might have sold his shares in Under Armour to Adidas.
But what did Kyle say?
He was going to acquire an NBA team!
He knew very well that Kyle was going to start a pan-sports plan, which was definitely a massive project. And the future of Under Armour was already incredibly bright. Why would they accept an acquisition and destroy their own foundation?
Luca wasn't annoyed either; when did an acquisition ever happen overnight?
However, he was a bit anxious! Once Nike intervened, the price they would have to pay would inevitably be higher.
"Mr. Planck, I would like to meet Mr. Page. I wonder if you would be willing to arrange it?" Luca suddenly said.
Kevin Plank smiled and agreed directly.
140 million dollars?
He believed Kyle wouldn't take this money too seriously.
Luca also knew this very well. However, he naturally had his own arguments and a certain level of confidence. After all, his set goal wasn't necessarily to acquire Under Armour; taking a stake was also an option.