Chapter 283

Every year, on the last Sunday of January or the first Sunday of February, the AFC (American Football Conference) champion would face off against the NFC (National Football Conference) champion to determine the ultimate champion, Super Bowl.

The AFC and NFC together form the NFL (National Football League).

At Britney Spears' mansion bedroom in Thousand Oaks, near Los Angeles, Charles Capet lay on the bed, weakly patting a still clingy Britney Spears under the sheets.

After a while, Britney popped her head out of the covers with a satisfied smile.

"Darling, aren't you going to Miami for the Super Bowl halftime show?" Charles asked, flabbergasted.

"Yes, but I wanted to show you my passion first, so you won't end up on the tabloids with some other actress," Britney said, resting her head on Charles' chest.

"Was it good?" she asked.

Charles nodded. "Good, good, it was great these three days!"

Charles had just managed to keep Ivanka, the wild stallion, under control, and as soon as Ivanka left, Britney Spears showed up.

"I'm heading to Miami today to prep. The Super Bowl's next weekend," Britney said. She had performed at the Super Bowl halftime show only once in 2001.

Without Charles, Britney Spears would have probably ended up like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, forming the infamous trio of troubled American starlets, with her reputation and fame dwindling.

But that wasn't the case; Charles' arrangements kept Britney's career thriving.

It wasn't unusual for the American pop queen to be invited to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, and this year, Britney Spears wouldn't be renewing her contract with Sony; she would be switching to Capet Records.

Charles ran his hand over the girl's smooth back, saying, "This year's Super Bowl is being held at the Miami Dolphins' stadium, with the AFC champion Indianapolis Colts taking on the NFC champion Chicago Bears. Miami's an international city, it's sure to be a blast."

Britney quickly responded, "So, are you coming? Miami's really comfortable, we can vacation in the Caribbean!"

"Meh, not interested. I'm not an NFL team owner," Charles shook his head. Even though he was close to the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers games, he'd only attended a few in person.

"But it's the Super Bowl!" Britney said, surprised, as she playfully touched Charles' chest and abs.

"A contest full of testosterone and an electrifying atmosphere!"

"Haha, and the Super Bowl halftime ads are so expensive! Transformers spent $2.5 million for a 30-second ad spot," Charles sighed in amazement. It's really pricey.

In another ten-plus years, the top ad spots during the Super Bowl halftime would go for up to $5 million for 30 seconds!

"But the viewership is high for this game. Over 90% of the time in recent years, the TV ratings champion has been the Super Bowl broadcast," Britney kindly tried to comfort Charles.

"Ah, I really want to buy an NFL team, but these club owners aren't willing to sell," Charles sighed. NFL team ownership represents a status symbol, boosting both the political and economic standing of the owner.

Britney, still caressing Charles, chuckled when she heard his desire to purchase an NFL team. "It takes a lot of money. But, NBA teams and MLB teams are a bit cheaper!"

Charles had been keeping an eye on NBA transactions. Indeed, there had been a few in recent years: in 2002, the Boston Celtics were sold for 360 millions; in 2004, the Phoenix Suns were bought by a new owner for 401 millions; in 2005, the Cleveland Cavaliers changed ownership for 375 millions; and last year, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz sold the Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma investor billionaire Clay Bennett for 350 millions.

Charles remembered that Clay Bennett was trying to move the Supersonics to his hometown of Oklahoma City due to the Seattle government not supporting a new arena.

"Alright, get up now, shower time!" Charles patted Britney lightly, reminding her. For now, forget about the sports teams; Capet Sports would have its chance during the financial crisis.

"Taylor Swift, that young girl from your company, is really something," Britney said at noon while Charles drove her to Burbank Airport, bringing up Taylor Swift.

"Yeah, her first album sold well, ranking fifth on the Billboard album charts!" Charles said with a smile.

"She held the number one spot on the Billboard Country Album chart for eight consecutive weeks, Taylor sure is a black horse in country music," Britney had taken some interest in Taylor Swift because of Charles' influence.

"Sony missed out on her. She initially signed with Sony, but since she was too young, Sony planned to release her album when she turned 18. She wanted it sooner," Charles laughed.

"Big Machine Records got lucky!"

Britney laughed too, "It's you who got lucky! Now Big Machine Records is just a country music label under Capet Records!"

"Hahaha, I bet Scott Borchetta, head of Big Machine, regrets it so much. Selling a goldmine to me," Charles didn't care about others' misfortune; making money was important to him.

"True, Scott Borchetta founded Big Machine and discovered Taylor Swift, but didn't get to enjoy the fruits of his labor," Britney shook her head, not caring much about it.

At Burbank Airport, Britney reminded Charles to head straight to New York afterward. She would go to New York straight after her Super Bowl performance in Miami.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely spend some time in New York this year!" After bidding farewell to Britney with a kiss, Charles headed back to Capet Manor in Beverly Hills.

*****

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