Chapter 587： Gold League

In the luxurious and elegant banquet hall, Netflix's CEO Mark Randolph greeted William with a few words of greeting under Ronan's introduction, and quickly left the crowd to find his goal.

He had communicated with Ronan yesterday, and he came tonight not to see the prince, but to have his own mission.

Mark Randolph quickly found the operating officer of the Premier League, Blanc Smith.

"Hello, Mr. Smith." Mark Randolph greeted with a smile, "I'm Mark Randolph from Netflix."

Blank Smith also smiled back: "Hello, Mr. Randolph. Mr. Anderson just introduced us."

The two exchanged greetings and toasted again, and Mark Randolph turned to the topic: "I watched Mr. Smith's press conference in New York. You came to North America this time, and you also shoulder the heavy responsibility of promoting the Premier League?"

Blanc-Smith moved in his heart and said: "North America is a very vast market and there is a lot to do." His voice suddenly changed: "Mr. Randolph is also interested in the Premier League?"

Mark Randolph said: "As long as time permits, I will watch several Premier League games every weekend."

Blank Smith took two glasses of champagne from the passing waiter and gave one of them to Mark Randolph, saying: "If North America can have more fans like Mr. Randolph, the promotion of the Premier League will Much easier."

Mark Randolph nodded slightly and said: "The most popular sport here is American football. Although many people like football, the audience is limited."

Blanc-Smith knew that the other party was telling the truth. Compared to most parts of the world, North America is a veritable football desert. He immediately said with a smile: "So, we want to unite people in North America who like football. Promote the Premier League together."

Mark Randolph said: "Netflix is ​​willing to cooperate with the Premier League to promote."

"That couldn't be better." Blank Smith smiled very sincerely: "Mr. Randolph, is Netflix willing to become a sponsor of the Premier League?"

Talking about cooperation, of course, we must pay real money, otherwise, what is the meaning of cooperation?

Mark Randolph didn't take Blank Smith's words at all. Instead, he said: "Professional sports leagues promote the primary media. Which media in North America do you have cooperation with?"

Blanc-Smith thought about it briefly and said: "The Premier League and ESPN are a strategic partnership. ESPN is fully responsible for the TV promotion and broadcasting of the Premier League..."

Mark Randolph asked immediately: "What about the Internet?"

Blank-Smith said: "On the Internet, we have a partnership with Yahoo Sports. Yahoo Sports has the right to report on the Premier League."

"What about the live webcast?" Mark Randolph asked directly.

Blanc-Smith froze for a moment. For the more traditional English football industry, live broadcast of online matches is a relatively new business. Although there have been considerations in this regard, it has not been implemented.

Mark Randolph glanced at Blank Smith and immediately said: "The Netflix website has the largest Internet video service in the United States, with more than 15 million users, and has done Internet videos for multiple events, including boxing events. Live, Netflix can broadcast Premier League matches over the Internet."

Blank Smith has the conservative side of the British. He hesitated and said: "Football matches are broadcast live on the Internet. We haven't actually operated it."

"Internet users are getting younger, representing the future." Mark Randolph said simply: "The Premier League needs to attract more young audiences if it wants to be prosperous."

He smiled: “According to Netflix’s statistics, even without your authorization, many websites in North America have pirated ESPN’s live TV signals for profit-seeking. Instead of letting this piece of copyright be lost, why don’t you? How about working with Netflix? We have the largest Internet video business in the United States and the world."

Blank-Smith was moved, and said, "We will discuss this internally. Please wait a while and I will give Netflix an official reply."

While saying these words, Blanc-Smith is also considering corresponding issues. The live broadcast contract with ESPN was signed a few years ago. At that time, there was no clear concept of Internet video live broadcast. The contract between the two parties was limited to traditional TV and There are no provisions on Internet copyrights for live radio.

It seems to have a certain operability.

This can not only increase the revenue of the Premier League, but also promote the Premier League brand through the Internet, killing two birds with one stone.

Moreover, the 15 million user video website has a very wide audience.

Here, Mark Randolph is discussing with Blanc Smith about the copyright of the Premier League live broadcast.

On the other side, after Will Smith and Tom Cruise chatted with William about Diana's past, the new chairman of the FA also chatted with Ronan about football and the Premier League.

"The Premier League is one of the five major leagues in Europe." William came to North America this time. Although he came to North America in his personal capacity, he has actually been promoting the Premier League. He has a sense of responsibility in his position: "Ronan, Will, Tom, I dare not say that the level of the Premier League is the highest in Europe, but the commercial brand value of the Premier League is definitely the first of all professional football leagues in the world. From a business perspective, investing in the Premier League is worth the money."

Will Smith doesn't know much about football, he just listened and didn't say a word.

Tom Cruise watched some of the Premier League and suddenly said: "David Beckham has left the Premier League to join Spain's Real Madrid, which will reduce the appeal of the Premier League."

Ronan vaguely read related reports. After the famous Flying Boots incident, Ferguson and Beckham turned against each other, and the latter left Manchester United for Spain.

But last summer, Ferguson found a new number seven for Manchester United. A fancy teenager named Cristiano Ronaldo came to Manchester from Portugal.

No one can imagine what changes the Portuguese, who is fancy Huli and can only take the ball with his head, will bring to the world football in the future.

In less than a few years, football is first double pride, and then others.

William said at this time: "David's departure is a pity, but the value of the Premier League is not determined by one person, but the brand value of the entire league."

Ronan answered: "So, you are not only promoting the Premier League this time, but also looking for business investment?"

William smiled: "That's it. Some of the Premier League sponsors have expired, and we are looking for new commercial sponsorship." He is very direct: "Business investment is the key to the development of modern professional football, and business is the driving force for the development of football. Without commercialized operations, the Premier League would never have the current situation. Modern football can no longer be separated from business. After I have read a number of data, the organizers have conducted some analysis. As long as we continue to promote the commercialization of the Premier League, the Premier League’s The brand value can far exceed other European leagues in the next few years."

Ronan slowly nodded: "Indeed, modern football and business are inseparable. Football has become the world's number one sport. It is not only a choice for professional sports and spectators, but also for business."

Commercial football is a product driven by the trend of development and is inevitable.

It can even be said that David Beckham is an excellent manufacturing under commercial football.

William said: "Ronan, Tom, are you interested in investing in the Premier League?"

Tom Cruise shook his head: "I don't have the strength to play football."

Ronan shook his head: "I'm not interested in being a sponsor. Frankly speaking, I run a film company, and the company's brand doesn't have a great influence on film production."

William said: "Last time in London, didn't you say you were interested in football clubs?"

In the past two years, the Premier League has frequently seen huge fund acquisitions. Although it has caused huge controversy, from a development perspective, foreign funds have revitalized the almost dead-water Premier League. The controversy has brought about the attention of global media and fans. With the injection of large sums of money, the Premier League and Premier League clubs have attracted more attention from the world.

The power of money is strongly promoting the rapid development of the Premier League.

"Now, many rich people all over the world have come to England." William himself may not have this ability, but the team behind him is making suggestions and creating momentum for him: "They are all proud of owning a Premier League football club."

Ronan said with a smile: "I have always been interested in the Premier League and this has never changed."

William said: "It's better to buy a club together with Tom. Ronan, you have financial strength; Tom, your reputation will win the support of fans."

As soon as these words came out, Ronan and Tom Cruise looked at each other tacitly, feeling the same, and the prince was not a display.

Tom Cruise plus the Premier League, the effect can be imagined.

Ronan took another look at Tom Cruise, and saw that Tom Cruise clicked his chin to his side and said: "William, the acquisition of Premier League clubs with foreign funds is easy to produce In the past few years, when the Abu Dhabi consortium competed with Murdoch's News Corporation for the Manchester United club, it not only triggered protests from fans and the media, but the FA also directly stopped the deal."

"That was before." William said with a smile: "The current Premier League is an open professional football league. We welcome investors from any country and region in the world."

Ronan did not continue this topic, but said: "You, the chairman of the FA, are very dedicated."

William laughed: "Since we are in this position, we must have to do some work, and we must not waste resources, otherwise the public should blame us again."

Including Will Smith, all four laughed.

The banquet that night was very successful. In the words of the other side of the Pacific, it was a home away from home. On the third day after the banquet, William left Los Angeles.

A vice president of Netflix's video business then led the team to London to discuss matters related to the Internet copyright of the Premier League.