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"Have you ever followed soccer?" Eric asked.
The three men and one woman exchanged bewildered glances, but it wasn't their fault. After all, in 2002, America could still be described as a soccer desert.
In this country, the most popular sports were American football, basketball, ice hockey, and baseball.
As for English soccer, who liked to play that sissy sport? Was its physicality as intense as American football (rugby)? A sport created by the British, daring to encroach on our great America? Get lost!
In America, market share had long been carved up by the major sports. Although soccer was popular worldwide, just like India was a cricket powerhouse, soccer simply couldn't penetrate the markets of many countries.
It was like how Chinese people didn't play baseball, and Chinese chess couldn't go abroad. Different cultures simply didn't work!
"Alright, it seems you don't understand, but that's okay. You don't need to watch or understand the game, just know how to place bets. I'll give you instructions."
Billy crossed his arms, his gaze solemn: "Eric, this isn't a good plan. I've never heard of anyone getting rich through gambling."
Bordeaux also disagreed with the plan: "Besides, we study finance, not mathematics. Otherwise, we might try our luck in Las Vegas."
Warren also chimed in, advising: "And I've heard that behind soccer matches, there are manipulations by major betting companies. They want whoever to win, and they win. It's too difficult to win money from them."
Warren's statement indeed reflected many people's perception of match-fixing. Such things did exist, like the Calciopoli scandal, which caused a huge uproar.
But that was only for regular leagues, and this time, Eric was dealing with the World Cup, which was very difficult for betting companies to manipulate.
There were many reasons. To put it simply, the market value of those superstars already exceeded that of most betting companies in the world.
They leased out the advertising space on their chests for tens of millions in advertising fees. Did they really need to risk taking your dirty money to fix matches? No sane person would do that.
Moreover, the World Cup was held every four years. How long was an athlete's career? How many four-year cycles could they have? No one knew if this was their last.
And for superstars who had earned enough money, honor was more important than wealth.
Furthermore, even if a betting company did manage to fix one or two players, it wouldn't make a difference. If they didn't fix half the players, it wouldn't have a decisive impact, but the cost of doing so would be too great, and betting companies couldn't afford the price.
Additionally, the real bulk of betting companies' profits actually came from commissions. No matter who won, as long as people gambled, they could make money.
So, legitimate betting companies actually hated fixed matches the most, because fixed matches hurt people, and if people were hurt, they wouldn't gamble anymore. How could they make money if no one gambled?
At the Japan-Korea World Cup, as the host nation, they didn't want to lose too badly, so the South Korean government had devious thoughts, wanting to bribe other teams, but they were rejected by the major teams.
is fair and tender, be careful not to get it poked!"
"Uh..."
Billy licked his lips: "I've long heard that Brazilian women are passionate and uninhibited. I think this will be an unforgettable trip."
As soon as he finished speaking, Judy's eyes lit up: "Let's switch. That place is more suitable for me. You go to Singapore."
"Why?"
Judy clenched her fist: "Do you want to fight?"
"Alright, alright, you win, madam. But be careful not to get sick. I don't think Eric will pay for that," Billy teased with a wink.
The final arrangements were settled: Warren went to Macau, Billy to Singapore, Bordeaux to the UK, and Judy went to Brazil.
WTR-LABAmerica: Starting with the acquisition of MGMCh. 6 / 3721.6%#66 superstars can't afford itAI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chapter 6 6 Superstars Can't Afford to Play
Chapter 6: Superstars Can't Afford to Play
"Have you ever followed soccer?" Eric asked.
The three men and one woman exchanged bewildered glances, but it wasn't their fault. After all, in 2002, America could still be described as a soccer desert.
In this country, the most popular sports were American football, basketball, ice hockey, and baseball.
As for English soccer, who liked to play that sissy sport? Was its physicality as intense as American football (rugby)? A sport created by the British, daring to encroach on our great America? Get lost!
In America, market share had long been carved up by the major sports. Although soccer was popular worldwide, just like India was a cricket powerhouse, soccer simply couldn't penetrate the markets of many countries.
It was like how Chinese people didn't play baseball, and Chinese chess couldn't go abroad. Different cultures simply didn't work!
"Alright, it seems you don't understand, but that's okay. You don't need to watch or understand the game, just know how to place bets. I'll give you instructions."
Billy crossed his arms, his gaze solemn: "Eric, this isn't a good plan. I've never heard of anyone getting rich through gambling."
Bordeaux also disagreed with the plan: "Besides, we study finance, not mathematics. Otherwise, we might try our luck in Las Vegas."
Warren also chimed in, advising: "And I've heard that behind soccer matches, there are manipulations by major betting companies. They want whoever to win, and they win. It's too difficult to win money from them."
Warren's statement indeed reflected many people's perception of match-fixing. Such things did exist, like the Calciopoli scandal, which caused a huge uproar.
But that was only for regular leagues, and this time, Eric was dealing with the World Cup, which was very difficult for betting companies to manipulate.
There were many reasons. To put it simply, the market value of those superstars already exceeded that of most betting companies in the world.
They leased out the advertising space on their chests for tens of millions in advertising fees. Did they really need to risk taking your dirty money to fix matches? No sane person would do that.
Moreover, the World Cup was held every four years. How long was an athlete's career? How many four-year cycles could they have? No one knew if this was their last.
And for superstars who had earned enough money, honor was more important than wealth.
Furthermore, even if a betting company did manage to fix one or two players, it wouldn't make a difference. If they didn't fix half the players, it wouldn't have a decisive impact, but the cost of doing so would be too great, and betting companies couldn't afford the price.
Additionally, the real bulk of betting companies' profits actually came from commissions. No matter who won, as long as people gambled, they could make money.
So, legitimate betting companies actually hated fixed matches the most, because fixed matches hurt people, and if people were hurt, they wouldn't gamble anymore. How could they make money if no one gambled?
At the Japan-Korea World Cup, as the host nation, they didn't want to lose too badly, so the South Korean government had devious thoughts, wanting to bribe other teams, but they were rejected by the major teams.
So, the Korean nation resorted to a dirty trick: if I can't bribe the teams, can't I bribe the referees? One person is always easier to deal with than twenty-two, and thus the dirtiest World Cup was born.
How destructive was this kind of dirty trick?
It was so destructive that it drove many betting companies into bankruptcy, because of all the upsets, the analysts at the betting companies were dumbfounded.
Thus, an extremely surreal scene emerged: after the Japan-Korea World Cup, major betting companies worldwide jointly called for fair and just competition, rejecting fixed matches!
At the same time, these companies also proactively disclosed their finances and demanded that all major football stars must disclose their finances, allowing fans to supervise and reject fixed matches, starting with themselves! But China seemed not to respond.
This move also received strong support from the World Anti-Money Laundering organization.
Anti-money laundering organizations supporting betting companies, just tell me if that's not surreal?
Therefore, the Japan-Korea World Cup was the most profitable edition, and it was also Eric's only opportunity at the moment.
Since his three best friends didn't think much of his plan, Eric looked at Judy, who shrugged: "I have no opinion, it's not my money anyway. So, what do you need us to do?"
Eric liked Judy's straightforwardness: "See? It's my money anyway, what are you worried about? Just treat it as a game, a game worth millions. You've never played one like this, have you?"
"And the money won from gambling doesn't even need to be taxed; the companies have already paid it for you in advance. Anyway, it's decided!"
Since Eric didn't care, the three stopped speaking and waited for him to give orders.
"10 million US dollars, I plan to divide it into five equal parts, each holding 2 million. The four of you will go to the UK, Macau, Singapore, and Brazil respectively, while I stay in America."
"This trip might involve some risks, so I will provide each of you with a bodyguard, but you still need to act as discreetly as possible."
"The World Cup ends in a month, and you will return to America immediately. It's that simple!"
The reason Eric wanted to provide them with bodyguards was partly for safety, and partly for supervision.
A month later, they would all be facing huge sums of money, so having an extra layer of security was more reliable.
Judy chuckled, "This is sending us on a company-paid trip, so I won't be polite. I've always wanted to see Asia. Singapore is a nice city. What was its nickname again? The Garden City, right?"
"Then I'll go to the UK. I've always wanted to have an authentic British meal and see if what those Brits say is true."
Eric patted Warren's shoulder: "I suggest you don't go. Compared to authentic Chinese cuisine, British food is like a pile of excrement. Go to Macau. When you come back, I guarantee you'll be at least 10 pounds heavier and will scoff at Chinese restaurants in America."
Warren's face fell: "That won't do. I'm trying to lose weight. Good food will ruin my plan. I'll stick with the UK."
Bordeaux chuckled: "Are you sure? The UK is famous for its large gay population. Your butt is fair and tender, be careful not to get it poked!"
"Uh..."
Billy licked his lips: "I've long heard that Brazilian women are passionate and uninhibited. I think this will be an unforgettable trip."
As soon as he finished speaking, Judy's eyes lit up: "Let's switch. That place is more suitable for me. You go to Singapore."
"Why?"
Judy clenched her fist: "Do you want to fight?"
"Alright, alright, you win, madam. But be careful not to get sick. I don't think Eric will pay for that," Billy teased with a wink.
The final arrangements were settled: Warren went to Macau, Billy to Singapore, Bordeaux to the UK, and Judy went to Brazil.
Although Brazil in 2002 was not as chaotic as it would be in later years, drugs and gangs were still rampant. Eric decided to give Judy two extra bodyguards.
After all, that was the City of God, a city abandoned by God.
Dad's efficiency was very high. After a party, Eric's account already had an additional 10 million US dollars.
The next day, the four of them boarded planes to their respective destinations.
In the morning sun, Eric drove home. The clouds in the sky seemed to turn into stacks of banknotes, with Franklins grinning widely.