Pope of Basketball.

Summary

Yang Rui decides against purchasing the Warriors due to Oakland's negative reputation, despite their potential for profit. He considers the Clippers as a better investment, especially given the aging owner Donald Sterling and his controversial history. Yang Rui plans to buy a portion of the team, anticipating that Sterling will eventually be forced to sell due to a racial discrimination scandal. The chapter outlines Sterling's downfall after a recording surfaced of him making racist comments, leading to a lifetime ban and eventual sale of the Clippers to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion. Yang Rui recognizes the Clippers' commercial potential, especially in light of lucrative broadcasting deals and the opportunity to develop a streaming network. Yang Rui believes he can turn the struggling Clippers into a competitive team, capitalizing on promising players like Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. He also notes the absence of debilitating contracts, allowing for strategic trades and acquisitions in the upcoming free agency. The chapter concludes with Yang Rui preparing to navigate the complexities of dealing with Sterling and his management team while waiting for the right moment to act.

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