Chapter 892 Forbidden Fruit

"John?"

When Jenny's voice sounded beside him, John Smith suddenly came back to his senses, met her doubtful eyes, and said quickly:

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired today."

John's performance did not make Jenny feel anything was wrong. She said casually:

"Then you go and take a rest first. I have to go out. Chrissy and the others are coming to New York."

After hearing Jenny's words, John was silent for a moment and nodded.

Chrissy is the Countess of Bute. Just like last year, they don’t always live on Lanai. The women will meet up to hang out from time to time, such as some cities in Australia or New York in the United States. In places like Los Angeles and Los Angeles, it is very convenient to have private planes anyway.

Because John Smith had to attend some business gatherings recently, the couple also left Maryland in the past few days and came to New York, just in time for Jenny to make appointments with the women to have fun together.

After Jenny left, John Smith did not return to the bedroom, but entered the study.

Sitting on the chair, with only the dim desk lamp on in the room, he couldn't help but think of the scene when he just met the leader of the Navigation Group.

…

"Actually, the reason for meeting you this time is because I have a plan..."

After hearing F. William McKenna III's straightforward words, John Smith looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"I hope to promote Sinclair Group's acquisition of American Forum Media Company. They own more than 40 local TV stations and are very profitable. After completing this acquisition, Sinclair Group will cover more than 72% of households in the United States. Becoming one of the largest television networks in the United States."

"Tribune Media Company? But they are owned by Fox..."

It can be said that McKenna III’s words at that time caught John Smith off guard...

"This is not a problem. We at Vanguard Group can help you achieve this goal."

Regarding John's doubts, McKenna III said calmly:

"But there is a condition, that is, we can provide Sinclair Group with acquisition funds, but it needs to be obtained in the form of additional shares."

"this……"

John Smith frowned slightly and said:

"This kind of thing requires a resolution from the board of directors..."

"But you are the chairman of Sinclair Group, Mr. Smith. What I hope you understand is that our joining will only make your control of the company stronger, instead of being under threat like now... "

When Sinclair Group faced the debt crisis of Bank of New York Mellon last time, IC Capital and DS Group jointly funded the purchase of a large amount of Sinclair Group's convertible debt worth a total of US$250 million to help them survive the crisis. Part, and this part of the claims they hold has been converted into shares of Sinclair Group.

Therefore, at present, the Sinclair Group’s shareholding ratio is about 38%, the total shareholding ratio of the Sinclair family is about 38%, IC Capital’s shareholding ratio is 15.5%, DS Capital’s shareholding ratio is 14.5%, and the Pilot Group’s shareholding in the Sinclair Group 's shareholding becomes 7%...

In this way, Sinclair Group's shareholding ratio is more subtle. Although the total shareholding of the Sinclair family is 38%, it is higher than other shareholders, even higher than the combined shareholdings of IC Capital and DS Group.

But at present, what John Smith can control with certainty is only the 22.5% shares held by the family trust, as well as the shares held by his half-sister and brother, plus his own shares, a total of 7.75% shareholding - plus the shareholding of the family trust, John Smith can indeed control 30.25% of the Sinclair family's shareholding, which is only slightly higher than the 30% shareholding controlled by Barron.

So it is obvious that McKenna III is very clear about the proportion of Sinclair Group's shares at this time, and his words naturally mean something - who else can be the so-called "threat" faced by John Smith?

But having said that, if John Smith had not thought of the "threat" mentioned by McKenna III before, it would be impossible.

Moreover, when he faced the investigation by the Maryland prosecutor, Ivanta's attitude at that time, the feeling of being determined by someone's life and death, was not untouched by John Smith.

But in the same way, John is not a fool. He understands that if Barron and his group's right to speak in the Sinclair Group currently poses a "threat" to him, then the Navigation Group represented by McKenna III, are they the "savior"? ?

Just like the acquisition of Forum Media Company owned by Fox that McKenna III mentioned, it is a large company with more than 40 local TV stations, and it mainly focuses on sports programs, which is a very high-quality asset.

Normally, it would be absolutely impossible for Murdoch, the media tycoon behind Fox, to agree to sell this asset.

This is indeed a tempting cake for Sinclair Group.

But John Smith also understands that Forum Media Company is also worth a big price, probably not less than 7 billion US dollars!

For the Sinclair Group, this is simply a snake swallowing the elephant. So according to McKenna III's request, through them to issue additional shares to obtain the other party's funds, even if it is only part of the required funds, then the Pilot Group will also Become the largest shareholder of Sinclair Group in the future.

I am afraid that my situation at that time will be more embarrassing than it is now.

Indeed, the Sinclair family has developed this group from a local TV station in Baltimore to a TV giant covering the whole United States. In the final analysis, everyone believes that the main achievements are made by his father and eldest brother.

As the head of the family and the chairman of the Sinclair Group, John Smith also hopes to leave a strong and colorful mark in the development of the family and the Sinclair Group.

If this acquisition can be facilitated, it will be a great leap for the Sinclair Group.

But the question is, will the Sinclair Group still belong to the Sinclair family at that time?

The blueprint for the future is wonderful, but the consequences of every decision are unpredictable - either success and applause; or failure and being stripped of the foundation.

The McKenna III in front of John Smith is no different from the poisonous snake that tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

At the same time, from McKenna III's words, John also vaguely felt something unusual.

As he said before, this proposal needs the approval of the board of directors, which means that it will be negotiated with DS Group and IC Capital. If the other party agrees to dilute the shares, then they will not have any objections to him.

But John Smith knows Barron well. Even if he does not object to the acquisition of Forum Media, the Duke of England does not lack funds at all...

And what McKenna III means...

Just need John Smith, the chairman, to agree to promote this matter? !

It's not that it can't be done. After all, even if he controls 30.25% of the shares, plus the 7% of the shares held by the Navigation Group, it can completely beat the shares controlled by Barron.

But this tit-for-tat behavior is tantamount to declaring war with the other party!

Even if John Smith hopes to strengthen his power in the Sinclair Group, it does not mean that he wants to turn against Barron - at least when he is not so sure.