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Chapter 102: Sakazuki
🕑 Added 2025-05-04 12:54:11 +0000 UTC“In other words… Nike gave in?” Lin Yi raised an eyebrow at his agent, Zhong Muchen.
Zhong Muchen nodded. “Yeah. They’re offering a 4-year deal worth $75 million. I pushed them, and this is their max. They’re not going any higher.”
Honestly, Nike really didn’t want to lose him.
Right now, Lin Yi was looking more and more like the new face of New York. Knicks fans had deep pockets—and even deeper loyalty. In addition to that, there was an enormous Chinese market behind him, and Nike knew they couldn't afford to let him slip away.
Lin Yi has been making waves with the Knicks lately. Even TNT was considering giving the Knicks more prime-time slots next season.
Nike wasn’t just scared of missing out. They were terrified someone like Adidas might lose their mind and throw a monster offer at Lin Yi—something that would throw the market into chaos.
This deal was already huge. Lin Yi remembered Kobe’s pre-Eagle County scandal deal with Nike—it was barely $40 million over five years.
With this contract, Lin Yi would officially join the upper tier of NBA shoe deals.
He needed the cash. He had several investment projects lined up, and this money was the fuel. After four years, he'd be ready to renegotiate again—this time with even more leverage.
His goal? Start building a gaming empire.
He remembered that back in 2011, Tencent had acquired Riot Games (League of Legends) for just $231 million, buying a 22.34% stake initially before taking full control later.
And the U.S. launch of League of Legends was set for October 27. Not many believed in the game yet. If they had, Tencent would’ve just bought Riot outright.
But Lin Yi knew. He knew LoL would explode globally. Even after battle royale games and other trends, it stayed huge.
He didn’t mind working with Tencent down the line, but first, he wanted to make his move.
So, after signing the Nike deal, Lin Yi had Zhong Muchen connect with his new guy, Alexander Wang, a Chinese-American investment expert. Wang liked Lin’s vision and helped him acquire a 62% stake in Riot Games for $65 million.
Lin Yi planned to let Wang run the show while he focused on basketball. He handed over two game concepts he’d drafted back in college at Davidson.
The first was a battle royale-style game. Lin Yi didn't trust companies like Bluehole to do it right—he wanted it done better, fairer.
The second? A mobile (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) MOBA inspired by what would become Honor of Kings. With smartphones getting smarter, Lin Yi saw the future. If Riot built it, it’d crush the Tencent version. And hey, maybe the skins wouldn’t be such a rip-off.
On top of all that, Lin Yi gave Zhong a list of young, unsigned NBA prospects. Future stars. Lin Yi smiled at the idea—they’d be signing with his agency one day. And none of them would even know who was pulling the strings.
That’s why he was grooming Zhong Muchen. Big-name agents wouldn’t just follow orders. But Zhong? Lin Yi had him on a leash—tight.
Zhong was amazed. Lin Yi wasn’t just good at ball—he had vision. Most rookies would’ve jumped at Nike’s first offer. But Lin Yi waited. Held his ground. Bet on himself.
That took guts and a serious pair of steel balls. And faith in his ceiling.
Carter got screwed by Puma back in the day because he didn’t have that confidence.
Zhong didn’t know much about gaming, but he believed in Lin Yi’s instincts.
Of course, the investment drained Lin’s cash reserves. So, he asked Zhong to keep an eye out for endorsement deals from China. Even a small payday helped. Money made the world go round.
Once League of Legends started bringing in revenue, Lin Yi planned to go after live-streaming next. It was taking off in the U.S., but still ripe for disruption. And the rules abroad? Way looser.
Honestly, Lin Yi loved watching chaotic live streams back in the day. That world had potential.
...
October 7 – Knicks’ 4th Preseason Game
Coach D’Antoni rested Lin Yi—wanted to test other players. Opposing teams still didn’t know much about Lin yet, so D’Antoni wasn’t giving them extra footage to study.
...
October 8 – Off Day
Lin Yi was chilling at home when he got a call from Elizabeth Olsen.
She sounded anxious. “Wiggles' not moving… I think something’s wrong!”
When Lin Yi arrived at her apartment, the blonde was a mess, sweating, and pacing.
“It’s just lying there and making weird noises!” she said, pointing at the hamster.
Lin crouched down and looked at the round, bloated Wiggles. “Did you… overfeed it?”
Elizabeth’s guilty silence said it all.
She loved cute animals. Couldn’t resist feeding Wiggles every time she saw him. But hamsters weren’t smart—they didn’t know when to stop. And now Wiggles was a little balloon with legs.
Lin Yi suggested she get a bigger cage with a wheel so Pippi could move more. Once she knew it wasn’t serious, Elizabeth sighed in relief.
At this point, she hadn’t filmed Martha Marcy May Marlene or Oldboy. She was still a student. A blank slate. No boyfriend either.
Lin Yi didn’t want her to go the “indie R-rated art film” route. He had big plans—like making a League of Legends movie someday. With the right budget, she could star in it. Maybe as some badass demon queen.
After all, she was his first real female friend in the U.S., and he liked her no-filter, chill personality.
...
They went shopping afterward and dropped by some ice cream and pastries parlors for snacks and some alone time.
The pre-season games had kept Lin Yi busy, only keeping up with each other with calls, so this outing came at a good time to unwind a little.
But fans and paparazzi kept coming up to him for selfies, autographs, and pictures, making it a bust. For what it was, he enjoyed her time even if it was cut short.
...
They managed to escape the chaos after boarding a taxi to get away.
“Sorry about the chaos. I feel like I dragged you into a press conference,” Lin said, offering his hand as she stepped out of the taxi.
Elizabeth gave a small laugh. “Are you kidding? I’ve never had so many people want my pictures.”
Lin chuckled. “Well, for the record… you look amazing today.”
She brushed her hair behind her ear, smiling. “You’re sweet. And hey, you clean up pretty well yourself, Mr. NBA.”
They soon went on a stroll, with her talking about her school life, family, and acting. She was passionate in her talk, especially her love for acting. Lin would occasionally give an input, but mostly listened to her, giving her his undivided attention.
All of this was being caught on the camera by the paparazzi, with them none the wiser.
They soon arrived at the pet store, where they bought a bigger cage with a training wheel and other necessities for Wiggles. Then Lin Yi treated her to ice cream again.
“Are you sure you’re not secretly a native? You’ve got all the best food spots mapped out,” she teased, licking her ice cream.
“I take food seriously,” Lin said with a grin. “Honestly, if I didn’t have to stay in shape, I’d eat my way through every borough.”
...
On their way back, they passed a stray dog adoption center. A brown husky dashed toward them.
Lin Yi braced for chaos, but the moment it reached Elizabeth, it calmed down. Just circled her like a loyal pet.
The old man running the shelter apologized, but Lin Yi waved it off.
The old man looked surprised. “Wow… he’s never been this chill with anyone.”
Maybe it was fate.
The husky had recently been neutered, which explained the bad mood. Elizabeth’s heart melted, and after talking it over with Lin Yi, she decided to adopt it.
Lin Yi would handle the food bills. Elizabeth would take care of the rest.
“Okay, naming time. Any ideas?” she asked, petting the husky’s head as it nuzzled her leg.
Lin tilted his head. “Well… he’s got that reddish fur. Reminds me of a character from this anime I watch—Akainu. Red Dog. His real name’s Sakazuki.”
Elizabeth blinked. “You’re naming him after an anime admiral?”
Lin shrugged. “It fits. Tough on the outside, but loyal once he picks his person.”
She grinned. “Sakazuki. I like it.”
