Chapter 1111 Filling the gap

Looking at Gao Wen looking up at the sky, a small movement was enough, and the atmosphere suddenly became relaxed.

Soler laughed happily again, and the gong-like laughter continued to hit the eardrums. "It really lives up to your reputation. Now I finally know why you are loved by so many fans."

Gawain looked at Soler again, and asked with the serious expression of someone who was studying a "mathematical problem", "Is that so? I thought it was because of my outstanding appearance."

"Yes, yes, yes, appearance is also a reason, a very, very important reason." Soler nodded repeatedly.

Tobias didn't buy it at all and rolled his eyes. "Fernando, your eating manners are so ugly. I feel like you are insulting my intelligence."

Soler ignored Tobias completely, "It's okay. It's my daily routine to insult your intelligence. What I need to pay attention to now is the young knight in front of me."

Soler deliberately took a step towards Tobias's position, pushed Tobias away, and then smiled and made an invitation gesture to Gawain.

"There's not much time left before the event starts. Why don't we talk while we walk?"

Are Tobias and Soler at loggerheads?

Yes and no.

The only thing that can be confirmed is that the two people are not enemies, but old friends who have known each other for many years and are close friends who often insult each other.

Tobias and Soler are both affiliated with IMG Group. Tobias is a sports agent and Soler is the person in charge of executive affairs of the tennis department.

Judging from his job title, Soler is Tobias's boss, but in fact, the two entered the company at the same time and have been partners since then.

The two people are good at different things, and later they gradually developed in different directions. Tobias is still working on the front line, interacting with the players; Soler gradually moved behind the scenes, responsible for planning, operations, publicity, etc., and finally became the helmsman of the entire tennis department's executive affairs.

At present, Soler's most important and urgent task is to regain the style for the Miami Masters.

Because IMG Group acquired the Miami Masters, they are the current operator of the event.

Although the Miami Masters has always been low-key, it does not mean that they are willing to lag behind others. They have always been reaffirming their status as the "fifth Grand Slam".

However, facing the wealthy Larry Ellison, IMG Group has never been able to keep up, and what's worse is that IMG Group has encountered many problems in its operations.

If the Miami Masters wants to return to the top, both the hardware and software need to be impeccable. IMG Group has learned from its mistakes and revised its plan.

In 2013, they launched a renovation plan for the tournament venue, Clanton Park Tennis Center, with a budget of up to 50 million US dollars. The purpose was to upgrade the tournament and create a more comfortable and convenient viewing experience for players and fans, which is consistent with the practice of Indian Wells.

but!

The Miami Masters is located on an island, which is also an ecological protection area. Large tracts of forests, wetlands and oceans still retain their natural wildness.

IMG's stadium renovation plan has encountered obstruction from various private groups. In addition to environmentalists, there are also conflicts among multiple different interest groups. The situation in Florida is much more complicated than that in California.

Moreover, Ellison had extensive connections in California and had smooth sailing, while IMG Group encountered many setbacks in Florida.

The renovation plan has been launched for two years, but it has not yet been implemented, and the Miami Masters has never been able to get out of its predicament.

Recently, IMG Group is discussing whether the event should be moved to other cities, such as Orlando.

Orlando is another big city in Florida, but the slight difference is that the United States Tennis Association has approved an Orlando Tennis Center plan. They will build and complete a center with 100 courts in the suburbs of Orlando in 2015 at an investment of 60 million US dollars.

In the future, this tennis center will become the largest tennis complex in North America.

It couldn't be better for IMG Group.

It is still in the discussion stage and whether it will be implemented is still unknown, but Serena Williams, who lives in Miami, has already made a public appeal:

Hopefully Miami City Hall can keep this top tennis event.

It is still unknown how things will develop. The only thing that is certain is that the IMG Group really wants to transform this event and let the Miami Masters regain its former glory.

This was Soler’s top priority after accepting the job of tournament director.

However--

Federer's absence undoubtedly made the event less attractive.

Although the Big Three including Nadal, Djokovic and Murray are still on the list, Federer is different after all.

But the done thing is irreversible, and Soller must look forward.

In order to make up for Federer's absence, Gawain appeared in sight.

Obviously, this is a self-evident answer, not some Goldbach conjecture. It does not require too many formula calculations and can be easily associated.

But can Gao Wen really fill the vacancy left by Federer?

no.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

Of course not.

Objectively speaking, even Nadal can't do it, and Gao Wen is no exception.

This statement is absolutely not meant to attack anyone. It's just that what makes Federer special is that he is unique. The name "Federer" is almost synonymous with tennis. His historical status and historical significance are extraordinary. "Home court" is not just empty talk.

However, Soler had different ideas; they could change their strategy.

Gao Wen does not need to fill the vacancy left by Federer, but to open a new door and start a new chapter as a leader of the new generation.

Here, a very important background story needs to be added:

Federer and Nadal were previously represented by the IMG agency.

In 2013, Federer and his long-term agent Tony-Godsick set up their own agency, Team 8.

In 2014, Nadal and his long-time agent Carlos-Costa also left IMG, but did not set up an agency. Instead, they focused more on their own tennis school.

In other words, in the past two years, IMG agency has lost two of the biggest names in men's professional tennis, which is a heavy loss.

Of course, IMG agency is not worried about not having superstar players. Sharapova is still under the company. In addition, the joining of players such as Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori will also help IMG agency to expand the Asian market together with Gao Wen. They are still the industry leader in sports brokerage.

However, we are born in adversity and die in comfort.

IMG has been thinking about the next male superstar. It is not just about the performance on the field, but more importantly, it is about building an entire business empire.

The "RF" trademark that Federer collaborated on with Nike, and the "Bull" trademark that Nadal collaborated on with Nike were all negotiated by the IMG agency. Then the two players built their entire business empires step by step around their own brand image.

If IMG agency can accomplish it the first time, it will naturally be able to accomplish it the second, third, and countless times.

This time, they set their sights on Gawain.

(End of this chapter)