I am Hollywood

[Chapter 1173: Countermeasures]

Listening to Ian Gurney's introduction of the situation, Eric got up and walked to the corner of the indoor court. Payne Forstmann and the others patiently stood in place, seemingly understanding the gravity of the situation.

Even though things happened quite suddenly, Yahoo wasn't completely blindsided. After all, Yahoo's browser held a staggering market share. Due to its monopoly on the core patents for graphical interface browsers and the early advantage from free promotions, Yahoo's browser boasted nearly a 90% market share worldwide. The remaining 10% of various browsers also largely infringed on Yahoo's technical patents. However, since these niche browsers posed no threat to Yahoo, the company preferred not to completely dominate the market, leaving ample room for criticism from antitrust departments around the world, which is why they hadn't taken any substantial action against them.

In fact, during the recent gathering in Australia, everyone had privately discussed potential scenarios they might face and corresponding countermeasures. Therefore, although Eric felt dissatisfied with the slight maneuver from Microsoft, he didn't feel caught off guard. After chatting with Ian Gurney on the phone for a while and reminding him to contact him whenever there were updates, Eric hung up.

As he turned to walk back to his previous position, a blonde girl dressed in a T-shirt and shorts stood beside Payne Forstmann, having just finished competing -- Anna Kournikova.

...

Once Eric approached, Anna Kournikova eagerly stepped forward to greet him, "Mr. Williams, it's great to see you! I'm a fan of yours!"

"Oh, thank you." Eric shook hands with Anna Kournikova while taking in the sight of the girl in front of him.

Anna Kournikova, now eighteen, was in the prime of her youth. With her pretty face, healthy tan skin, and perfectly toned figure, she did exude charm -- even if various titles in the media labeling her the sexiest athlete had apparent traces of IMG's behind-the-scenes manipulation.

Releasing Eric's hand, Anna Kournikova confidently let him appraise her and asked, "Mr. Williams, did you come here specifically to watch me play?"

"Yeah, but you didn't perform too well today."

"I've been a bit worn out lately," the girl replied sheepishly, glancing at Payne Forstmann and another middle-aged man who had just accompanied her. Suddenly, taking a bold step, she hinted, "Mr. Williams, are you heading back to Manhattan next?"

Eric nodded with a smile, "Are you hoping for a ride?"

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble," she said, her eyes sparkling as she leaned in closer and instinctively linked her arm with his.

Noticing the girl's little move, Eric realized she likely wanted to use him as an excuse to escape. He couldn't help but admire her boldness, but still addressed Payne Forstmann, "So, Payne, that's it for today. I need to head back."

Payne Forstmann nodded, politely saying goodbye as he walked out with Eric. However, the middle-aged man who had come with Anna Kournikova displayed a look of discontent and seemed about to speak, but was silenced by a warning glare from Payne Forstmann.

...

Watching Anna Kournikova hop into Eric Williams' car as they departed, the middle-aged man turned to Payne Forstmann with a hint of complaint, "Payne, we can't let Anna keep getting away with this. And Eric Williams, even though he's the wealthiest man in the world, that's of no concern to us. We don't need to be pandering to her. If we don't step up Anna's training, she's going to end up washed up."

The man, named Max Eisenberg, was Anna Kournikova's agent and one of the top sports agents under IMG. The commercial success Anna Kournikova had achieved was largely thanks to Max Eisenberg's efforts.

Payne Forstmann, watching Eric's car disappear around the corner, gestured for Max Eisenberg to follow him back into the training facility. "Max, you should have heard that Mr. McCormack plans to sell IMG."

Max Eisenberg nodded, suddenly understanding. "Eric Williams?"

"During Anna's match, Mr. Williams and Mr. McCormack officially hammered out the deal in the stadium. Within a month, IMG may very well have new owners."

The shareholder changes at IMG wouldn't much impact someone of Max Eisenberg's caliber. He was confident in his abilities to manage a star like Anna Kournikova, generating hefty profits for the company. The change in ownership would only mean he would be even more valued.

Still, thinking about Eric Williams having just taken Anna Kournikova away left Max Eisenberg somewhat gloomy. If IMG ended up with a boss who's merely interested in his personal pursuits, the future of the company might not be so bright.

"Didn't Mr. McCormack previously express a desire for us to expand further into Hollywood?" After pondering for a moment, Max Eisenberg asked, "If Eric Williams becomes the new boss, wouldn't we certainly lose that avenue due to Hollywood's agency restrictions?"

Payne Forstmann shrugged, "Max, you know that's not our call."

Max Eisenberg sighed lightly. Although he was somewhat reluctant, he understood that IMG was valued at over a billion dollars. While this amount might mean nothing to Eric Williams, for those at their level, it was an unattainable fortune.

Payne Forstmann led Max Eisenberg to an office in the training center. After they sat down, noticing Max Eisenberg's concerns, he said, "Actually, Williams just talked to me about Anna."

Max Eisenberg took a cup of coffee from the office secretary and was about to raise it to his lips when he heard this and quickly set it down instead. "What did he say?"

"He's not optimistic about Anna's future. He asked about her contract duration, saying we should start training Anna's successor now," Payne Forstmann said as he got up, returning with the materials Eric had just chosen and handing them to Max Eisenberg. "Here, this is what Williams personally selected."

Max Eisenberg quickly scanned Maria Sharapova's basic information and couldn't help but frown, saying to Payne Forstmann, "Doesn't he think this girl might be just a bit too young?"

"Girls grow up eventually. Over in the modeling world, Gisele Bundchen has become the fastest-rising supermodel in recent years," Payne Forstmann answered.

Max Eisenberg spoke disdainfully, "Those pretty faces can't compare to athletes. Tennis players ultimately need skill."

Payne Forstmann smiled, "You know what, Max? Just a few hours ago, Williams said the same thing as you. So, you really shouldn't worry too much. As for the girl, I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in training her personally. If you're not, I'll find someone else. But if you do decide to train her, you'll have plenty of chances to connect with Eric Williams, which could be great for your career. I assume you don't intend to be just an agent forever, right? If you gain Williams' favor, moving beyond IMG isn't out of reach; the entire Firefly system is much larger than IMG."

Max Eisenberg's face showed a hint of intrigue, but he countered, "What about you, Payne?"

Payne Forstmann shrugged. "I have a good sense of my own abilities. Managing IMG is sufficient for me."

Max Eisenberg hesitated for a moment, glancing down to hurriedly read through the girl's profile again before raising his eyes, "So, what should I do next?"

Payne Forstmann understood what Max Eisenberg was asking, "Williams mentioned this girl needs braces, so you first need to arrange for her to see the best orthodontist. Also, remember she should wear clear aligners. Williams dislikes metal braces."

Max Eisenberg smirked a little, after confirming that Payne Forstmann wasn't joking, he reluctantly nodded.

...

Meanwhile, as Eric's car left the street where the IMG training center was located, Anna Kournikova cautiously turned her head to look back, seemingly confirming no one was following them before she relaxed, patting her puffed-up chest, "Phew, I can finally stop dealing with that tyrant Eisenberg."

Eric, sitting beside her, heard the girl's unfiltered words and laughed, "So, I was just used by you?"

Realizing how blunt her words had been, Anna Kournikova quickly put on a sweet smile, leaning closer like a little kitten, "Mr. Williams, you wouldn't mind, would you?"

Eric shook his head, "That's hard to say. I can be quite petty."

Anna Kournikova recognized Eric was joking, yet she feigned a pitiful look, saying, "How about I treat you to dinner tonight?"

Eric smiled indifferently, "So, Eisenberg is your coach?"

"My agent, the middle-aged man who was just standing next to Payne Forstmann; his name is Max Eisenberg," Anna Kournikova said, as if suddenly recalling her tragic history, "Eisenberg is practically a devil. He has to oversee my every move; I feel like a puppet. He controls everything I can or cannot do. Even during press conferences, what I'm allowed to say has to go through him first. Sometimes, if I accidentally say the wrong thing, I'm in for a scolding."

Listening to the girl complain, Eric inquired, "Well, haven't you thought that the reason you've achieved your current status is largely due to his management?"

"I... I know, of course," Anna Kournikova visibly swallowed some words she nearly blurted out, her eyes darting as she cautiously asked Eric, "Mr. Williams, are you... are you close with Mr. Payne Forstmann?"

Eric shook his head, "Not really. I met him for the first time today."

Anna Kournikova immediately relaxed again, "Mr. Williams, actually, the whole IMG team is just a bunch of vampires. From the owner of this company to the bottom-tier employees, they're all despicable vampires. To them, I am just a money-making tool. Last year, I made $12 million, but do you know how much I actually ended up with?"

Eric listened with a bemused expression. "How much?"

Anna Kournikova held up her long, beautiful fingers, her expression even more pitiful, "Less than $5 million. Out of the total $12 million, IMG took 30% right off the top, and that doesn't even count the $1 million they deducted for various fees. After taxes, I was left with under $5 million."

"I imagine others are probably in the same boat, right?"

Anna Kournikova nodded, "That's why I said IMG is a bunch of vampires. We athletes are just the unfortunate ones they exploit."

"If you're unhappy at IMG, just switch to a different agency."

Anna Kournikova's eyes lit up suddenly, recalling the man beside her, she affectionately linked her arm around Eric's and leaned in a bit, "Mr. Williams, can you help me?"

Eric smiled with newfound intrigue, "So, where do you want to go for a new agency?"

Anna Kournikova fell quiet for a moment, then, feeling somewhat dejected, released Eric's arm, saying, "I think... maybe I'll just stay at IMG."

Eric scrutinized the girl beside him. Although a bit naive and not all that bright, she clearly understood her circumstances.

While the industry was filled with numerous sports agency companies, and even the top three Hollywood agencies dabbled in sports representation, at the end of the day, no agency could rival IMG in the sports sector.

Leaving IMG, it wouldn't be easy for Anna Kournikova to earn even $200,000, let alone $12 million. The fact was that many sponsors were inclined to invest in her because she was a signed sports star under IMG. These sponsors understood that IMG had ample resources and channels to maximize their advertising expenses spent on Anna Kournikova, while other similar agencies simply couldn't provide that.

As they chatted, the car drove through Queens, entering Manhattan. The sun was now setting.

Eric looked at his watch and asked the girl beside him, "So, where do you want to eat?"

Anna Kournikova showed a hint of temporary sadness but soon brightened up, feeling motivated after sharing her thoughts with Eric. She piped up excitedly, "How about Bernardin? The one on 51st Street? I heard their seafood is fantastic! The last time I tried to go with friends, we couldn't get a reservation; it was so frustrating. Mr. Williams, you can surely get us a table, right?"

"About that, I can't be sure."

Eric pulled out his phone and made a call. Moments later, he received a response and casually instructed the driver to head to 51st Street.

*****

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