America 1919

Although KDKA is backed by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, a major company, its role for Westinghouse is different from Donnie's vision for Atlantic City Broadcast.

Donnie sees Atlantic City Broadcast as a means of spreading influence, so he isn't very concerned about whether it can turn a profit, and is willing to invest a large amount of capital to help it cover the entire United States, even before seeing any profit.

But Westinghouse sees KDKA as a tool to promote its own brand of radios.

After providing KDKA with some initial startup funds, the rest is up to KDKA's own operations.

So now, even though KDKA is already the second-largest broadcast company in the United States, its signal only covers the entire eastern part of the country.

To set up more signal transmitters, KDKA must generate profits and reinvest that income into the construction and maintenance of more transmission stations. Continue your journey with empire

Vasili Bernard clearly intends to attract more listeners through the College League, and in turn, draw more advertisers.

Only after hearing Vasili Bernard's words do Luke Jackson and Reid Haggie dismiss their importance.

Because what Reid Haggie just said doesn't mean that at all.

"Reid, KDKA already pays $800,000 a year for exclusive rights to the College League, which is the highest price on the market, not even Atlantic City Broadcast can offer that!"

Luke Jackson first glares at Vasili Bernard, and then seriously says to Reid Haggie.

That's what Reid Haggie truly means, to ask KDKA for more exclusive rights fees by asserting that their listener group is smaller than Atlantic City Broadcast's!

Unfortunately, the words Vasili Bernard just spoke exposed his own hand.

After Luke Jackson's glare, Vasili Bernard immediately realizes he misspoke, and in a bit of a panic, plays a six of dots, setting up Reid Haggie to win.

"Haha!" Happily knocking down the mahjong tiles in front of him, Reid Haggie says, "Sorry, I win!"

"Reid, you're really lucky today!"

Luke Jackson compliments him.

Reid Haggie laughs, "It's because you guys are playing into my hands!"

"KDKA's listenership may indeed be smaller than Atlantic City Broadcast's, but don't forget, Reid, KDKA has the support of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and with the issues of Atlantic City Broadcast, KDKA will eventually catch up to become the largest broadcast company in the United States. When that time comes, we can provide the College League with even more resources.

I believe that with KDKA's support, the College League will definitely become the most popular league in America!"

Currently, KDKA doesn't have more advantages; it can only offer Reid Haggie such grand promises.

If Reid Haggie could be so easily persuaded, he wouldn't be the chairman of the College League.

"Luke, I believe in everything you said, and we are also optimistic about KDKA's future development, that's why we lean more towards working with you. But the league isn't just up to me, others are not like me, they can't look into the future as far as I can.

They saw only the current situation: KDKA's listening audience was not on the same level as Atlantic City Broadcast's, so they all believed that if KDKA wanted to enjoy exclusive broadcasting rights to the college league, KDKA would need to show some sincerity.

Moreover, you said it yourself, Luke, with Westinghouse Electric Corporation behind KDKA, I'm sure you wouldn't be stingy about this $200,000, would you?"

Reid Hajj's words made Luke Jackson glare at Vasili Bernard once again. If it hadn't been for Bernard's slip-up, how could Hajj have been so audaciously confident!

"Reid, I have to tell you very sincerely, we can't give you a definitive answer right now. KDKA needs to have an internal meeting to discuss it, and Westinghouse Electric Corporation also needs to study this!"

Having fallen into a disadvantage during the negotiation and unable to find an opportunity to turn the tables in the short term, Luke Jackson had no choice but to use stalling tactics!

"Of course!" Reid Hajj said nonchalantly while shuffling the cards he'd just drawn. "But Jack, you'll have to hurry up too. Our league's Noel Booth should have already arrived in Atlantic City.

If Atlantic City Broadcast can come up with a better proposal and Booth relays it back to the league, there will be nothing I can do to help you, even if I want to!"

If the college league were to be regarded as a company, then Reid Hajj would be the rotational chairman of its board.

Indeed, he had the greatest power within the company, but he was also constrained by the company's board of directors, and the dozens of universities nationwide were its board members.

If the board tended more towards Atlantic City Broadcast, even Reid Hajj would be powerless and have to accept their suggestions.

Upon hearing Reid Hajj's words, Luke Jackson said gratefully, "Thank you for the heads-up, Reid. I'll certainly get back to you as soon as possible!"

Reid Hajj nodded in satisfaction. "Luke, our college league does indeed have a preference for working with KDKA, but that doesn't mean we don't have other options.

The fact that many inside the league are more optimistic about Atlantic City Broadcast is undeniable. It's only because we are all friends that you've gained more support."

Luke Jackson understood the underlying implications of Reid Hajj's words.

Therefore, after they finished their card game and had dinner that evening, Luke Jackson went to Reid Hajj's room alone.

"Reid, as a friend, this is the best compensation I can provide for you!"

As he spoke, Luke Jackson took out a check for $50,000 from his pocket and placed it on the table.

Reid Hajj accepted the check, his smile growing even brighter. "I knew it, coming to Pittsburgh was a very correct decision!"

Luke Jackson breathed a sigh of relief. "Does this mean there won't be any problems with Atlantic City then?"

Reid Hajj confidently assured, "Don't worry, Noel Booth works for me. Without my consent, he won't report the situation in Atlantic City back to the league. And I've just gotten off the phone with Booth.

Once Atlantic City Broadcast brought him to the hotel, they didn't bother with him any further. So this time, with my help, there will be no issues for KDKA to secure the exclusive broadcasting rights of the college league!"

"Fuck, had I known it would be this easy, I should have just given him the check from the start!"

Luke Jackson cursed to himself but kept a smile on his face. Ever since KDKA was established, it had been benchmarking against Atlantic City Broadcast. Now, to snatch the college league's exclusive broadcasting rights from their hands was an event of monumental significance for KDKA's development!