Chapter 621: Evo’s Offer
“What do they have for me?” Jason asked, clearly intrigued.
“Well, for starters, they have a pretty lucrative direct offer of a four-year deal for $5 million. That’s $1.25 million per year in guaranteed cash,” Adele began, her words already having Jason’s attention, but she wasn’t done… Evo wasn’t done.
“They’re also offering a chance for you to have a signature shoe line if you can meet the criteria they have set,” Adele said.
“Wait, for real?” Jason asked, surprised, and he was right to be.
A signature shoe line was not something that sportswear companies gave to just anyone.
Rather, it was usually set apart for very famous or successful athletes, or athletes who had both qualities, and even then, signature shoe lines were few and far between.
Jason knew that he had garnered quite a bit of fame thanks to his skills and his face… but mostly for his face, however, while he did already have a few trophies in his cabinet, he didn’t think he was successful enough to warrant a signature shoe line, or even a consideration… as was the case.
‘Well, I guess that’s why they’ve set a criterion,’ he thought to himself and asked Adele.
“Two things. Win the Champions League and take home the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon D’or ceremony this year,” Adele said, taking the bowl of chicken parmesan from Jason.
“Oh wow. That’s quite the demand,” Jason chuckled and bit into his muffin again.
“Yeah. The good news is that you’re on the right track,” Adele replied.
“Word. Winning the Champions League will be a challenge though,” Jason said, turning to the TV where the live session of the UCL draw was still being shown.
“What about the Kopa trophy?” Adele asked.
“Well, compared to the current contenders for the best under-21 player, I think I have a very good chance,”
“One can never tell with reporters doing the voting though, but well… fu*k it. Tell Evo I’m up for it,”
“I won’t lose anything by aiming high,” Jason chuckled.
“Okay, I’ll work on that. You want me to also try to increase the amount for their original offer?”
“Maybe $6 or $7 million instead?” Adele asked, sounding every bit the money-grubber that Jason was slowly finding her to be.
“… 6 million is fine. But don’t push too hard if they’re dead set on 5,” Jason said after a bit of thought, not refusing her as no sensible person would refuse a chance to earn more money. ꭆ𝐀𝐍ỖΒΕs
The following minutes were spent discussing a few other endorsement deals while they slowly ate and watched TV, Jason having changed the channel to something a bit more interesting than football news.
In the end, apart from the deal with Evo, Jason chose a few other short-term endorsement deals as they were the best option for someone like him with budding fame.
The only long term contracts someone like him should be signing were either very profitable ones or ones with a good football club and that was the method Jason would be following.
In the following days, while Jason put his all out on the training grounds to better himself and prepare for the coming game, Adele was also giving her all in negotiating with the companies Jason had chosen to accept an endorsement contract with.
Because Jason had chosen to accept their offers didn’t mean she couldn’t push for more benefits for him and in extension… herself.
All in all, it had been a busy couple of days, but the good news was that they would soon see the fruits of their labor.
However, they were not clear on what type of fruit it would be.
{Sunday night in Bergamo, and we have before us an exciting watch!}
{It is Atalanta versus Uventus in the 31st game of the season!}
{It’s the beginning of the end, and for these two sides who have big ambitions, they will be desperate to one-up each other in this game!}
{For us viewers, that means exciting football and potentially a whole lot of it, so sit back, relax, and get ready to scream your hearts out!} The commentator gave opening remarks as the players of the two teams marched onto the pitch, making all sorts of muscle-warming gestures to prepare themselves for another exciting but exhausting ninety minutes of football.
The pre-match formalities were hastily but carefully swept over, and the two teams were soon in their positions on the opposite ends of the field, waiting for the referee’s whistle, which came shortly after they were ready.
{They’re off! Atalanta and Uventus!}
{Who’s going to come out on top?}
{There’s only one way to find out} the commentator said as the Atalanta team kicked off the game, sending the ball back into their own half while the Uventus players surged forward.
Like the commentator had said, the game got off to an exciting start and had the fans of the two teams cheering excitedly, but the game soon settled into a comfortable or even slow, rhythm.
There were goal scoring chances, but they were few and far between because the two teams were doing their best to keep each other in check.
With top performances from the defenders of the two teams, the game had to slow down as the attackers of the two teams had to begin figuring out how to launch an attack that wouldn’t end with the ball being hit back into their half and leaving them at the risk of a counter.
{Malinovskyi to Muriel in the center}
{Muriel returns the ball quickly and Malinovskyi takes control of the ball again. It’s clear that there’s no way through the center.
{Malinovskyi chips the ball over to the left and finds Illicic!} the commentator’s voice began to rise, unable to hide his excitement as Illicic received the ball.
Using his strength to hold off Cuadrado, Illicic advanced further down the left and crossed the ball into the center towards the waiting head of Luis Muriel.
{Muriellllll!!!!} the commentator screamed.