Chapter 54

In the English Football League, Millwall isn't well-known, and the sponsorship fees are pitifully low. However, with the success of Sky Sports in broadcasting Premier League matches, the brand value of the Premier League quickly became evident. If Millwall could be promoted to the Premier League, although the sponsorship fees wouldn't see a qualitative leap, it would still be better than nothing. Money is something you can never have too much of.

The advertisements in the stadium would also enter a new phase of sponsorship in the coming months. Aldridge planned to have Adam handle these matters, as this was part of the CEO's responsibilities.

When Barnett saw Heisenberg leave, he walked over and affectionately put his arm around Aldridge, smiling mysteriously. "Follow me, I have a gift for you."

Aldridge smiled wryly and followed Barnett to a corner of the lobby. Barnett took a folder from his assistant and opened it in front of Aldridge.

Aldridge took a closer look and found that the contents of the file resembled a real estate developer's neighborhood display.

"I bought a piece of land east of Millwall Club, south of the Thames. I plan to develop it into a residential area with eighty units, and I'm giving them to you."

Aldridge frowned and stared at Barnett, countering, "Why are you giving them to me?"

The land prices in East London hadn't skyrocketed to an astonishing level yet. The new stadium of Millwall covered a considerable area, and the total budget for purchasing the land and construction was only about 15 million pounds. Aldridge estimated that the cost of this neighborhood would be around 10 million pounds at most.

Barnett tossed the file behind him, not caring if his assistant caught it, and hugged Aldridge again, chuckling, "No reason, you deserve it. Actually, in my company, 51% of the shares are mine, 30% are yours, and Andrew has 19%. Don't tell anyone, or you might get kidnapped with your wealth. I live in a mansion, so I can't let you be shabby. You're an adult now, and you have to work and socialize. If you have close friends, don't hesitate to give them a house; it's not worth much."

Aldridge pursed his lips. "I've been away for years, and I don't know anything about your company. What do you mean by 'you deserve it'?"

In Western relationships, even among family members, property is clearly divided. Aldridge wasn't particularly attached to money. He had over three million pounds in his personal account, and he felt it was enough for his entire life. Now he was running a club, and as long as it was managed healthily, making a profit wouldn't be too difficult.

Barnett squinted and smiled. "Back then, you said the Premier League broadcasts would definitely make money, especially Sky Sports. So I invested in Murdoch's company. That American wants to buy back the shares from me every day now, but I won't sell!"

Aldridge had no idea about this and was stunned when he heard it.

Murdoch had already had a significant influence in the UK, controlling newspapers like The Sun, The Times, and The News of the World. However, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Murdoch's biggest failure in the UK was Sky Sports!

It was losing millions of pounds every year.

Just before the Premier League was established, the independence of Premier League clubs was clearly challenging the authority of the FA, causing a huge stir. Aldridge had casually mentioned this to Barnett during a conversation.

He was that kind of person; he wouldn't talk in detail about things he didn't understand, but he couldn't stop talking about things he knew.

From the rebellion of the 22 Premier League clubs led by the G5 against the FA's poor strategy, to the arrogance and underestimation of the BBC and ITV, the rise of Sky Sports and its secret cooperation with the Premier League, Aldridge predicted the establishment of the Premier League and a new era.

Barnett invested in Sky Sports in 1991, taking advantage of the timing. Before Murdoch had privately agreed with the Premier League, Sky Sports had been suffering huge losses for years. The American thought that the British would pay to watch American entertainment shows, but he was wrong. The top three things that the average British person would pay to watch at home were: football, football, and football.

When Murdoch was disheartened, Barnett's 20% investment in Sky Sports made him regret it bitterly two years later.

After securing the Premier League broadcasting rights, Sky Sports' financial situation was unprecedentedly prosperous: bags of cash and checks were delivered to the company every day. Sky Sports, which had been losing millions of pounds a year, turned around to make over 40 million pounds in profit annually!

Barnett was very proud. He expected that by the end of the Premier League season this summer, he would have repaid the huge loan from the bank for his initial investment in Sky Sports. In less than four years, he would have earned 20% of Sky Sports for free!

This investment idea came from a few casual words from his beloved younger brother. Barnett not only doted on Aldridge but also had a kind of worship and superstition towards him.

Even though Barnett made a good deal, Murdoch was no ordinary person. The media mogul who had built an empire was called a "big fool" by Barnett, but it was just the British arrogance at play. In terms of real talent and hard work, few British businessmen could match Murdoch.

"Alright, I'll accept this gift."

Aldridge didn't pretend, and Barnett smiled broadly. "I won't disturb you. That pretty girl has been staring at you. Ha, among the three of us brothers, you look the most like you need a beating."

"Feel free to be jealous; I'm just more handsome than you."

"Ha ha ha, then go enjoy your good fortune."

Barnett laughed and walked away.

Aldridge stood there, sipping champagne and smiling. Melanie Chisholm, who had been watching him from a distance, immediately came over, sticking out her tongue. "Aren't you a football coach?"

"What's so suspicious about that?"

Aldridge was at a loss.

"Uh, never mind. Nice to meet you, Aldridge."

Melanie seemed to be leaving. The other members of the Spice Girls were already by the door, looking at Aldridge with amusement.

Aldridge shook her hand again and smiled. "Nice to meet you too, goodbye."

Melanie giggled and turned to leave, only to be teased by her friends as soon as she returned to them.

Aldridge smiled as he watched the Spice Girls walk away, their alluring backsides lingering in his mind. Melanie's shy and charming glance before leaving made him think for a long time.

Since it was an international match day, Aldridge gave the team two days off. He changed into casual clothes and visited Bond Street in West London, a fashionable and expensive street where international brand boutiques were everywhere, far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Aldridge wore a sporty outfit and a baseball cap backward. On this street where most people were dressed in suits and expensive clothing, he stood out.

He sipped a juice drink casually, looking around the street. He wanted to buy a mobile phone.

Even though mobile phones were still bulky and expensive a few years ago, with Motorola's success in the German market in the 1990s, they quickly set the standard for mobile phone development, and their designs became more compact and lightweight.

Aldridge had no interest in carrying a bulky phone, but at the banquet yesterday, he saw a few female guests holding small, elegant phones, making him realize that phones were no longer cumbersome.

This wasn't about following trends; it was just for convenience.

The UK had never had a world-class mobile phone brand, and the domestic market was dominated by foreign brands. Aldridge casually entered a mobile phone brand store and was surprised to see a familiar figure.

The two women were talking to a salesperson, carefully trying out a phone.

"What a coincidence."

Aldridge approached them and smiled.

The two women looked at Aldridge in unison.

Victoria sized Aldridge up, her eyes full of curiosity, while Melanie's eyes lit up with surprise. She smiled and said, "Aldridge, are you in the wrong place? Aren't you supposed to be at the training ground? Coach."

Aldridge shrugged. "I'm on holiday today, just out for a stroll to relax. No need to dress formally; comfort is most important."

"Ha, that makes sense. Are you here to buy a phone too?"

"Yep."

Aldridge glanced at the display and pointed to a black phone. "I'll take this one. If it works, just give it to me."

Aldridge took out his wallet, paid with a card, and tipped the salesperson 10 pounds.

The salesperson was a bit surprised. This customer in sportswear had completed the transaction in less than a minute, making it the most comfortable transaction she had ever made.

Aldridge wasn't particularly interested in the phones; he just wanted something convenient, with no extra curiosity to test them out.

As long as it wasn't broken, he didn't even want to take it out of his pocket.

Looking at the slightly stunned girls beside him, Aldridge smiled at the salesperson. "By the way, add their two phones to my bill."

Melanie exclaimed, "That's not right!"

A few hundred pounds for a phone was still a luxury for them before they became famous.

Aldridge looked at Melanie for three seconds, waiting for her to close her red, lipstick-coated lips, then nodded seriously. "Alright, then you pay for them yourselves."

This time, Melanie's mouth dropped open again. "Why don't you insist? Maybe I would have agreed."

Aldridge blinked. "How many times should I insist?"

"Once!"

Victoria, holding back her laughter, said solemnly before Melanie could speak.

Aldridge made a difficult expression and frowned. "Alright, I'll insist once. Misses, giving you a phone isn't a big deal for me. Don't worry about it; it's just a gift between friends. If you ever give me a Ferrari, I'll definitely accept it."

Melanie and Victoria couldn't help but laugh and accepted Aldridge's gift generously.

As Aldridge walked out of the store with his new phone, he heard Melanie call out, "Aldridge, you big liar!"

PS: Thanks to "Qing Dan Lu" and "Tuo Tuo Xie Hei" for the support!

For every 500 additional recommendations, I'll add an extra chapter. With recommendations, I'll update twice a day. The next extra chapter will be at 1500 recommendations. I hope you can be generous with your votes. Thank you.

Welcome to read the latest, fastest, and hottest serialized works!