Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

After acquiring 14.5% of Lionsgate's shares, Golden Shell Investment continued to buy more Lionsgate shares from the market and other shareholders, eventually spending $210 million to secure a 26.8% stake in Lionsgate Films.

Meanwhile, the second-largest shareholder and media mogul, John Malone, also joined in the pursuit to acquire the remaining shares of Lionsgate.

He spent $80 million subsequently, increasing his holding in Lionsgate Films to 32.2%, surpassing Jon Felth, and becoming the largest shareholder of Lionsgate.

Due to the competition between the two for Lionsgate Films' shares, the stock price of Lionsgate on the New York Stock Exchange continuously rose.

From an initial price of $7.4 to $10.2, the market value of Lionsgate Films successfully broke through $800 million, with a Friday quote by The Wall Street Journal of $850 million, a rise of almost 30%.

Moving forward, for either Link or John Malone to acquire shares from the other, they would have to pay a price higher than the original.

Their next major target for acquisition are the 28.7% shares held by the chairman of Lionsgate Films, Jon Felth.

Whoever secures these shares will ultimately control the Lionsgate Films board of directors and have decision-making power over Lionsgate.

According to their current net worth, both men are nearly equal.

John Malone is a shareholder of US media giants Liberty Media and Liberty Global and also holds a substantial amount of shares in Discovery Communications.

With a net worth around $2 billion, although he is 69 this year, being a veteran investor on Wall Street with deep connections in the US business circle, he does not lack the funds to control Lionsgate Films if he wishes to.

As for Link, he is currently fighting alone, using his company's shares as collateral for bank loans when he runs out of cash, not seeking external support to share the risk, which poses a greater risk.

Just when everyone thought the competition between the two would enter a stalemate, Jon Felth, the chairman of Lionsgate, suddenly announced the sale of his 28.7% shareholding to Golden Shell Investment for a trade of 3.2% Twitter shares.

This news stirred up a huge sensation on Wall Street and Hollywood, with many saying that Link had lost his mind.

This year, after completing its third round of funding, Twitter's stock has entered the fast lane, its market value rising from $42 billion to $58 billion in just over half a month.

Professional media like The Wall Street Journal and Business Daily predict that Twitter's market price could exceed $10 billion by the end of the year.

If listed next year, it could become the next Facebook, potentially reaching a market value of over $100 billion, or even $200 billion.

Currently, many investment banks on Wall Street are eager to get a piece of Twitter's shares but don't have the opportunity. Originally the second-largest shareholder of Twitter, holding 16.5% of its shares, Link was poised to become a billionaire next year, potentially entering the top three of the Forbes list.

Yet this month, he twice sold off his Twitter shares at a very low price to acquire Nvidia shares and Lionsgate Films, which was in average condition.

Business Daily, in its latest issue, has a commentary article entitled "Why is Investment Star Link Baker Making Frequent Poor Decisions This Year?"

The author believes this is due to the negative effects of a sudden spike in net worth.

At the beginning of the decade, Link's net worth was less than $400 million, but by the start of this year, it had soared to $2.4 billion, a rapid expansion that made Link underestimate the risks of the stock market and make a series of wrong decisions.

Translated into plain language, it implies that the newly wealthy Link, having come into money, has lost his senses and is spending irrationally.

The article also pointed out that if Link does not come to his senses soon, he would eventually pay for his mistakes, potentially dropping from a billionaire to just a multi-millionaire.

The most anxious person upon seeing this news was Mr. Thomp, Link's father-in-law, who put down The Wall Street Journal and picked up the telephone on his desk to call Ivanka.

"Ivanka, do you know what Link is doing?"

"Dad, what are you talking about?"

Ivanka asked as she set down her pen and leaned back in her office chair.

"The thing about Link trading his Twitter shares for Lionsgate's, 3.2% of Twitter shares by the end of the year would be worth at least $400 million, yet he used it to exchange for Lionsgate shares worth less than $200 million, it's completely irrational, Ivanka, you should talk to him,"

Mr. Thomp complained loudly.

"Dad, this is Link's personal matter, and I don't want to interfere."

"You're boyfriend-girlfriend, about to get married, and Link's money will be yours one day,"

Mr. Thomp exclaimed.

"Dad, Link's assets are his own, they have nothing to do with me. I have enough with my stakes in Link Music.

Besides, it's only Twitter shares he sold this time. He still holds Tesla and Link Music stocks, so even if this investment fails, it won't impact much. Link is still young, his road ahead is long, and experiencing a failure might even be beneficial for his growth,"

Ivanka explained.

Mr. Thomp smacked his lips helplessly, "Ivanka, when do you plan to marry Link? Last time I spoke with him, he said he'd consider it once he's finished with his current projects. I hope it's within this year."

"Dad, there's no rush, we...."

"No rush? You're already 27, going on 28 next year. Let me tell you, if you don't marry this year, I'll accept Kunas's proposal on your behalf. I mean what I say."

Click!

Before Ivanka could say anything more, Mr. Thomp hung up the phone.

Listening to the busy tone, Ivanka shook her head and wasn't particularly worried about Mr. Thomp's words.

As someone in a wealthy family, what mattered most was securing the inheritance of the family fortune to sustain an upper-class lifestyle and consumption.

To secure this inheritance rights, heirs in the family often engaged in both overt and covert battles, fearful of defying their elders.

But she was different. Currently, Link Music was valued at $650 million, and she owned 25% of Link Music stocks, building her net worth over $100 million. With these assets, she could live well without relying on her family, rendering Mr. Thomp's marriage pressures useless.

However, Mr. Thomp did have a point; she wasn't getting any younger, and if she delayed further, she might become a spinster.

Ivanka blinked her eyelashes, opened Google, and searched for ways to encourage her boyfriend to propose.

The first search result revealed Amy Adams' new movie "Leap Year," a story about a woman who hears that proposing to her boyfriend on February 29 of a leap year will guarantee a happy love, and she flies all the way from the United States to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend, only to find her true love on the journey.

She shook her head and continued searching for other good ideas.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"President, Supervisor Capal is here, and he has something to report to you. Do you have time now?"

Secretary Vivian Jones asked from the doorway.

"Let him in, Vivian, and stay here to organize these files," she instructed pointing towards the bookshelf.

"Yes, President!"

Vivian turned around to invite Director George Capal in, then went to the desk to organize documents. This wasn't her first time doing such tasks; whenever male staff came to report, she was kept in the office to do various chores.

Initially, it felt strange, but she wisely refrained from asking too many questions.

"George, how did the talks with Spotify go?"

Ivanka asked with her hands crossed.

"Very smoothly. President Daniel Ek welcomed Link Music's participation in the current round of funding and showed considerable interest in collaborating with Link Music. However, Spotify's valuation in this financing round is one billion US dollars, and they aren't accepting investors who offer less than fifty million US dollars. President, should we still pursue this?"

George Capal explained.

Spotify is a licensed digital music streaming platform whose revenue primarily comes from ad income from free music and subscription fees from paying users.

Since launching in Stockholm, Sweden in 2008, it has reached over five million users in Europe and North America, with 1.8 million of them as paid subscribers. The subscription models are either $4.99 per month or $9.99 per month.

Last year, their total revenue reached 150 million US dollars. Although it falls short of Link Music, it still holds potential in the streaming music platform market.

Ivanka pondered for a moment and then picked up the phone to discuss the investment stake with Link.

Her opinion was to first invest fifty million to observe Spotify's development potential, and if it improved, take part in the next round of funding.

Link's plan, however, was to secure no less than 15% of the shares. He also wanted to stipulate in the contract that artists from Link Music, as the earliest musicians to join Spotify in North America, would receive technological and traffic support when releasing songs on the Spotify platform, at least for three years.

If Spotify agreed, his new songs could debut on the Spotify platform.

After thinking it over, Ivanka realized that 15% of the shares amounted to around 150 million US dollars, roughly the company's earnings from the previous year. This decision carried a risk.

But if Spotify developed smoothly, not only would Link Music's market value surge, but it would also gain a new distribution platform, increasing revenue generation speed in the future.

"Then we'll do as you suggested," Ivanka stated.

"By the way, releasing songs on streaming media isn't the same as releasing physical records. Some artists might mind this, so before they join Spotify, you and Graeme should first discuss it with the artists under our label based on their willingness; don't force anyone," Link reminded.

He was reminded of a news article related to Taylor.

Releasing a new album on Spotify synchronously could impact physical record sales and chart rankings.

If users subscribe on Spotify, they might not buy physical records. Some artists wish for higher physical record sales to showcase impressive accomplishments, leading them to remove their songs from streaming platforms.

Additionally, producing songs as laser discs and vinyl records appears more artistic and more like art pieces.

Whereas directly selling on streaming platforms, devoid of physical records as a medium, seems more commercial and vulgar.

This is why many artists are reluctant to place their songs on streaming media platforms for sale.

However, Link wasn't concerned about this; his main goal in singing and releasing records was fame and money. Releasing songs on the Spotify platform would mean monthly earnings, increasing his income speed.

"Link, how's the acquisition of Lionsgate going? Last September, The Wall Street Journal called you an investment genius, but now I hear you traded Twitter stocks for Lionsgate shares, and many people think you're crazy, so are you still sane?" Ivanka asked with a faint smile.

"Yes, I'm very sane. The potential of Twitter is significant, but it's like a golden goose that doesn't lay eggs. Lionsgate Films will become a goose that lays golden eggs in my hands. If you were me, would you choose to own a golden goose or a goose that lays golden eggs? ps. the golden eggs can hatch more golden geese."

"I don't know, but I support your decisions, all of them," Ivanka chuckled softly.

"Thank you! Rest assured, I'm very clear-headed and won't make a loss-making deal," Link confidently replied.

"Yes, I've always said, I believe in you," Ivanka supported, resting her cheek in her palm, showcasing a captivating smile.

Inside the office, the secretary Vivian watched her president's charming smile and marveled inwardly. The president often maintained a stern face, especially serious, but her smile was abundant when speaking with Link, and her voice could be sickeningly sweet.

"Alright, that settles it, I'll come over the weekend to accompany you," Ivanka concluded, hanging up the phone, her smile fading as she discussed the Spotify investment with Director Capal. She instructed him to continue negotiations, aiming to obtain the best possible terms.