Benson had this feeling was perfectly normal.

Tang Tian in his previous life took the path of basketball godfather - team owner - league president. Apart from being a player, he was actually good at everything else.

"Then what offer do you think is appropriate?"

After coming back to her senses, Benson asked.

The question was very natural, and she was surprised after asking it.

She was putting Tang Tian in the same position.

"I remember the Lakers' offer was 150 million for 1 year, and that was signed 6 years ago. I think it should be more than that, 160 million for 1 year."

Benson's eyes widened even more after hearing what Tang Tian said. There was a hint of disbelief and a hint of excitement.

Fox wasn't Time Warner, it wasn't that rich. It was already a breakthrough to raise the price from 750 million to 1 billion before.

Now it was like asking them to raise the price from 1 billion to 1.6 billion all at once, which was unrealistic to think about.

But what Tang Tian said before also made some sense. After all, Fox was broadcasting nationwide, which was different from Time Warner's regional fees.

So in theory, it was possible.

And if they could really sign a contract like that, the Pelicans really had the possibility of surpassing the Lakers.

The Pelicans wouldn't even have to worry about the super luxury tax they might face next season.

"I don't think they are likely to accept such an offer. It seems a bit absurd and very risky."

Benson still expressed her concerns.

The Pelicans were riding high now, but no one could guarantee their future performance.

The Lakers were fine. Los Angeles fans were rich, and even if the team's record wasn't good, there would still be a certain base viewership.

And Los Angeles was a natural destination for free agents. They could rise again immediately by bringing in a few superstars.

But the Pelicans were different. Being in New Orleans, they had everything they had now because of Tang Tian.

This season, it was even more because of Tang Tian and his hard-training brothers that they had this effect.

But the players' contracts had a time limit. Walker and Butler's contracts would expire next season, and they might not all stay.

Of course, the most important thing was that Tang Tian's new contract with the Pelicans only had 2 years left. If Tang Tian left at that time, Fox would lose money and go bankrupt.

After all, without Tang Tian, New Orleans and the Pelicans were nothing.

So Fox executives would definitely consider these things and be cautious when signing the contract.

"I have a suggestion."

Tang Tian suddenly said.

"Tell me."

Benson saw Tang Tian's expression suddenly become serious, and she sat up straighter as well.

"In Fox's endorsement contract, an additional clause can be added. If I continue to stay with the Pelicans, then the amount of the broadcast contract will be calculated at 160 million per year. If I leave, then the broadcast contract will be 60 million per year."

"..."

After hearing this, Benson felt that Tang Tian was completely talking nonsense. The amount was too different.

Although the reality might actually be like that, with or without Tang Tian, the Pelicans were two different teams.

"I will always stay with the Pelicans, but with one condition: after I retire, I can acquire 10% of the Pelicans' shares."

Tang Tian's next words made Benson silent.

The capital side and the labor side are actually on opposite sides.

Tang Tian's request was equivalent to directly changing from the labor side to the capital side after his retirement.

But it wasn't impossible to consider.

Back in the last century, there was actually a similar thing between Johnson and the Lakers.

Johnson spent his life with the Lakers and brought huge benefits to the team.

After his retirement, Old Buss gave Johnson some shares.

But in modern times, with the improvement of American laws, stock gifting has become illegal.

Old Buss and Kobe had previously had conflicts over the gifting of shares.

Old Buss wanted to give it directly, but Kobe didn't want it. Kobe wanted to buy it directly, but Old Buss wouldn't allow it.

"I need to communicate with the team first."

This matter was too involved, and Benson didn't make a decision right away.

Tang Tian nodded.

Actually, it was too early for him to consider things after retirement at this time.

But since Benson had given him such an opportunity, he definitely had to seize it.

Although cashing out wouldn't make much sense after his retirement, he still had to live.

And if he had shares in the Pelicans, he could enter the management, and even eventually completely acquire the team and become the team's big boss.

This was also one of the reasons why he had envisioned it in the first place, and wouldn't choose to go to Charlotte.

Such a big event couldn't be discussed in a day or two.

Tang Tian didn't care too much about this. It would be best if he could, but if not, he could wait until he was about to retire and then consider it slowly.

He forgot about it after talking to Benson, and focused all his energy on the game.

The Pelicans' next game was two days later, against the Rockets.

It was interesting to say the least.

In ESPN's predictions before the start of the season, the Bucks were seventh, the Thunder sixth, and the Rockets fifth.

In the preseason, the Pelicans crushed the Bucks twice in a row. In the regular season opener, they crushed the Thunder again. Now they were about to face the Rockets.

Putting aside whether ESPN's strength prediction was accurate, it really felt like the Pelicans had prepared an upgrade challenge list, and they were fighting their way up one by one.

This game also received a lot of attention in China.

Because of Cousins' season-ending injury, Chinese player Zhou Qi got some opportunities.

In the previous opener, he played for 10 minutes. Although the time wasn't much, it was all in the regular rotation stage.

This match was not only a show for the Pelicans' Big Four for domestic fans, but also another Chinese Derby.

The Pelicans arrived in Houston a day early.

After the training in the daytime, Tang Tian took Zhou Qi out for a meal alone.

Ding Yanyuhang was also with them.

With Rose resting, the Pelicans recalled Ding Yanyuhang from the Development League for this game.

The place for the gathering was Yao Restaurant.

This was special for the three of them, and the three of them were in a good mood.

Because of Tang Tian, the strength of the Chinese men's basketball team had become stronger in one way or another.

Not only because of the epic championship a year ago, but also because there were more Chinese players in the NBA than in history.

Tang Tian was a serious league top player;

Yi Jianlian left the Lakers last season and returned to the Nets, signing a 3-year, 30 million contract, and was also a serious starting power forward;

Zhou Qi seemed to have a chance to enter or even secure a rotation spot on the Rockets;

Ding Yanyuhang also signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans;

Plus, Guo Ailun had also played in the Summer League and dominated the CBA;

This was the most glorious era for Chinese men's basketball.

"You have to gain muscle, but you still have to speed up your three-point shooting speed. You have to practice more."

Eating wasn't the purpose, giving Zhou Qi some guidance was.

Before coming to Houston, Tang Tian had watched the Rockets' opening game, mainly to understand the opponent, but he also saw some of Zhou Qi's shortcomings.

In the 10-minute opportunity, he failed to seize two three-point opportunities, both because the shooting speed was too slow.

Like Yi Jianlian back then, in a game of this level in the NBA, the speed of shooting can represent a lot of things.