790: 266: Welcome to the Round Table Knights (Vote for the monthly ticket!)_3 790: 266: Welcome to the Round Table Knights (Vote for the monthly ticket!)_3 “Hehe, here we are,”
Wilkins opened the door to a room on the second floor, where several men in suits were chatting while holding glasses of wine.
As Roger walked in, they immediately stopped talking and stood up.
Roger indeed knew these people; they were all shareholders of Atlanta Spirit LLC.
Steve Belkin was very pleased, came over to shake hands with Roger: “We’ve been waiting for you for a long time, come, let me introduce my friends to you.”
“Steve, you’ve had too much to drink, I know everyone here.”
That may not be true.
You know Bo Turner is Ted’s youngest son, Rutherford is his son-in-law, and you can trust them, but what about this gentleman?” Belkin pointed to an elderly man with white hair.
“Of course, I know, Mr.
Michael Gillen, a board member.” Roger answered, puzzled.
“Yes, Michael Gillen.
But you might not know, this Michael Gillen served as the President of Basketball Operations for the Hawks between 77 and 86, is a partner of Turner Group, and is a close friend of Mr.
In other words, he’s one of us, most importantly, he’s one of yours.
Bud Seretian, my close friend, is also yours.”
Bud Seretian smiled and took off his hat: “At your service.”
Tony Seratin, former board member of Turner Broadcasting System, a long-time subordinate of Mr.
Ted Turner, is similarly yours.”
Roger finally understood what “you know the masked them, today I introduce you to the real them” meant.
He knew these people were board members and knew their names.
But before, apart from Bo Turner and Rutherford, Roger didn’t know the backgrounds and positions of the other shareholders.
Now, everyone in this room stood with Steve Belkin, which meant they stood with him.
Including Belkin, there were six shareholders in the room, and there were twelve shareholders in the whole company, this represented half.
At least half of this consortium supported Roger.
But why did Belkin choose today to say these things?
Belkin seemed to sense Roger’s doubts: “Please sit, currently we have six people united, but if we want to completely gain a voice, our numbers may not be enough.
When many issues are put to a vote, I can’t guarantee that besides Bruce Levenson, the other five will stand with me.
So, I propose for you to also get involved in voting for any major team decisions.
Thankfully, this proposal passed with a 7 to 5 vote.”
Belkin paused, took a sip of his drink and continued: “Recently, Bruce Levenson wants to trade Scottie Pippen; I believe you’ve heard the rumors.
He thinks Scottie’s salary doesn’t match his ability and wants to trade him for the Wizards’ Latrell Sprewell.
For this, we would have to take on the stat padder Juwan Howard, and Michael Reed as well.”
“It’s a foolish decision.” Roger immediately commented.
In Roger’s view, although Pippen was starting to decline, he could still play a significant role, unlike Ewing who had become a shell without any desire.
As for Spree, given Roger’s relationship with him, Roger couldn’t imagine the chaos that would ensue in the locker room.
Regarding Juwan Howard, Belkin’s evaluation was already quite fair, mere stat padding with no contribution to winning.
Look at how pitifully the Washington Wizards are led by Juwan Howard, coming in every day to get his 18+7 and then clocking out.
I’ve already got my 18+7, still pursuing victory?
Can victory change the numbers on my contract?
“Indeed, it’s a foolish decision and harmful to the team.
So, we will vote to veto it at the meeting the day after tomorrow, where you will also attend.
With our support and your vote, even if everyone else is against us, we can firmly win this vote.
This is an opportunity for you to assert your dominance, Roger.
What I mean is, you need to let that damn Bruce know during this vote whose team this is!
Let him know, such stupid trade proposals should never appear again!”
After speaking, Belkin raised his glass, and the other shareholders also lifted their glasses: “Welcome to the Round Table Knights.”
Roger raised his glass and clinked it with everyone else’s.
He was convinced that the biggest obstacle to establishing the Atlanta Dynasty had just been removed.