Chapter 1258: Chapter 398: Whoever You Are, Get Off Roger Right Now!
The sports stars under Reebok’s banner lined up, officially launching the operation of Reebok’s new global headquarters in front of major media worldwide.
Afterwards, Tom Brady initially wanted to continue discussing Sharapova with Roger, but Roger was quickly invited to the office by several Reebok executives. He was the only athlete at the event to receive such treatment.
Tom Brady shrugged, aware that he was already a renowned superstar in the football world, but how did he compare to Roger?
He swore that one day he too would have the same influence as Roger.
Inside the office, several Reebok executives were chatting with Roger, smoking cigars.
As the only athlete who receives annual dividends from Reebok, Roger’s interests were long intertwined with Reebok’s interests.
After some casual chatting, Paul Harrington, the new president of Reebok’s basketball department, began to introduce the theme of this branding discussion—the previous president, Todd Krinsky, had been promoted elsewhere due to his outstanding performance.
This meeting primarily aimed to discuss the promotional direction for Roger’s next generation of sneakers.
The marketing department devised an ad slogan for the new sneakers: Star walking, higher than the sky, translated into Chinese as 超脱凡尘,横越参辰.
There was no doubt that Reebok was now focusing on promoting Roger towards the GOAT direction.
This marketing slogan suggested that Roger was already at the pinnacle, the Star of the Stars.
One of the shareholders casually made a silly comment, "Great, this can perfectly define Roger’s career!"
The room suddenly fell silent because Roger notoriously disliked promotional slogans that defined his career. In the past, whenever Reebok’s marketing department brought up the topic of "career definition," Roger would tell everyone in the conference room, "My career cannot yet be defined."
Indeed, Reebok had once tried to promote Roger with the title of "three-time champion," but Roger rejected it, feeling that his career transcended three championships.
Reebok had also attempted to use "King of two dynasties" to promote him, but Roger turned it down, believing his dynasties were not limited to two.
Reebok had also tried similar slogans, but Roger always said, "No, the time isn’t right, I am not yet the greatest."
He never liked being defined, as he was always in pursuit of greater achievements and goals.
Due to Roger’s steadfastness, Reebok’s promotions remained relatively restrained; otherwise, by his fourth championship, Reebok would have forced Roger into being the GOAT.
Now, with someone again saying Roger’s career could be defined, everyone anxiously watched Roger, fearing his reaction.
Unexpectedly, Roger nodded and said, "Very good, I like this slogan too; it can roughly define my career."
In 2005, holding 9 rings and needing just one more championship to establish a third dynasty, he believed his career could now be defined.
Paul Harrington furrowed his brow, sensing something.
During the evening banquet, Reebok’s executives gathered to toast and socialize.
Paul Harrington took this moment to inform everyone, "Guys, we need to get prepared."
"Prepared for what?"
"Prepared for Roger’s retirement."
Hearing this, the Reebok executives felt a chill come over them.
"Paul, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Didn’t you see Roger’s expression and attitude at today’s meeting? He believes he already represents the pinnacle of basketball. Is this the Roger we know? He no longer has grand long-term goals; now, to him, perhaps he only wishes to establish a dynasty in the Bay Area, or perhaps aim to match or surpass Bill Russell’s championship rings.
No matter what goal, once achieved, Roger’s career might end because there’s nothing else he desires to pursue. I believe it wouldn’t take Roger more than four years to accomplish all this."
"Impossible," former basketball department president Todd Krinsky laughed, waving his hand, "You’ve just arrived, Paul; you don’t understand him. I’ve worked with Roger for years, and I’m well aware of how intense that guy’s competitive nature is. He’s like a beast that can never be satisfied, always maintaining a strong sense of hunger. He’s only 30, and his career hasn’t suffered severe injuries; playing until 37 or 38 wouldn’t be surprising."
"I agree with Todd," another executive chimed in, "Kareem played until 42, Karl Malone until 41, Gary Payton looks as though he wants to play until 40. With Roger’s character, as long as he can win, he’ll keep playing. Talking about retirement at 30 is a bit premature."
"Since you mentioned Roger’s character, then tell me, given Roger’s character, would he be willing to subordinate like Kareem under Magic or Karl Malone under Kobe Bryant? Or would he, like Gary Payton, completely abandon the dignity of a superstar to be a role player? Or like Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, directly become substitutes?
Or would he stroll on the defensive end during fast breaks to make his stats still look like a superstar?
Roger is different from them!
All these players with lengthy careers, without exception, gave up some things in their late careers to extend their playing lifetimes.
But Roger would never give up those things.
As long as he is still playing, he must be the best player on the team, the best in the entire league.