Chapter 110: I’m Going to Sue the Basketball Association

Zhao Jian was remarkably efficient and quickly uncovered the issues that Zhu Deli had assigned to him.

“Director Zhu, Lin Feng’s fine has not yet been paid. Additionally, there’s a problem with Lin Feng’s qualification as a basketball player. Previously, he played in the university league, not as a registered professional player. Last season, he joined the Jiangning Jaguars basketball club on a loan basis, and his personnel file is still with the Yanjing Sports Institute. Strictly speaking, he’s not currently considered a professional player,” Zhao Jian reported Lin Feng’s situation to Zhu Deli.

“How could the fine still be unpaid after all this time? Immediately send a payment reminder to his club! Also, notify Jiangning that non-professional league registered players are prohibited from participating in the professional league next season. Lin Feng’s suspension period will begin from the day he obtains his professional basketball player certification!” Zhu Deli said coldly.

“Understood, I’ll handle it right away,” Zhao Jian nodded and left Zhu Deli’s office.

At the Mingdu Hotel, Lin Feng was being interviewed by a reporter from the People’s Daily.

Lin Feng had originally declined all interviews because reporters kept pressing him about his marriage to Qin Ruolin. However, when the People’s Daily invited him, they clearly stated they would only ask basketball-related questions, so Lin Feng agreed.

True to their word, the People’s Daily reporter never mentioned Qin Ruolin, focusing solely on basketball topics and a few questions about Lin Feng’s upbringing.

As the interview neared its end, Zhang Chunzhi asked the final question, “Lin Feng, how do you view the men’s basketball team’s recent heavy defeats in America? Also, if you had been on the team, do you think such a crushing loss would have happened?”

Lin Feng smiled and shrugged modestly. “I have nothing to say about the men’s big losses. As for your hypothetical, I think if I had been on the team, it wouldn’t have been such a humiliating defeat.”

His answer was humble, avoiding any overconfidence.

“Alright, that concludes today’s interview. Thank you for your cooperation,” Zhang Chunzhi said, standing and shaking Lin Feng’s hand.

Just then, Lin Feng’s phone rang. It was Yan Xuedong, the deputy general manager of the Jiangning Jaguars.

Lin Feng furrowed his brow, unsure why Yan was calling at this moment, but he answered.

“Hello, this is Lin Feng.”

“Hello, Lin Feng, this is Yan Xuedong, deputy general manager of Jiangning Club. I have something very important to discuss with you,” Yan said urgently.

“Please go ahead, Mr. Yan.”

“The club just received a payment reminder from the Basketball Association, demanding the immediate payment of your fine,” Yan explained.

“Then just pay it. Didn’t I already transfer the money to the club’s account?” Lin Feng replied casually. Since the fine had to be paid through the club, he had previously sent the money to their account.

“Yes, but since the money belongs to you, the club needs to confirm with you before submitting it,” Yan said hesitantly. “Also, the Basketball Association has notified that non-professional league registered players are banned from the professional league next season. You don’t have a record of professional registration. This means you can only continue playing in the CBA after obtaining the professional basketball player certification, and your suspension period will start from that day.”

“What? Professional basketball player certification?!” Lin Feng nearly spat blood in disbelief. “I’m the CBA Finals MVP, and now you’re telling me I need a certification? This is ridiculous!”

“Mr. Yan, can I understand that without this professional certification, I won’t be allowed to play in the CBA?” Lin Feng asked.

“Theoretically, yes. In the past, the association was not very strict about this, and university league players could be loaned to professional clubs,” Yan replied.

Lin Feng nodded, then asked, “Is this professional basketball player certification obtained by passing an exam administered by the Basketball Association? So, if the association doesn’t approve, I can’t get the certificate?”

“That’s the theory,” Yan confirmed.

“Alright, I understand,” Lin Feng said seriously. “Mr. Yan, please have the club transfer the 600,000 yuan fine back to my account. I’m not paying this fine! Besides, I don’t think they have the right to punish me because I don’t have the professional basketball player certification, nor am I a registered professional player with the association. On what grounds are they fining me? And sixty thousand is a huge amount! What right do they have?”

“Lin Feng, please don’t get upset. I think you should still pay the fine. As for the professional player certification, the club will help you figure it out,” Yan suggested.

“Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Yan, but I really won’t pay it!” Lin Feng said firmly. “Please transfer my money back as soon as possible. That would be the greatest help from the club. Also, I only signed a one-year loan contract with the club, which has already expired, so I don’t want to cause them any more trouble.”

“Lin Feng, sometimes you can’t win against the bigger powers. Please think this through again…” Yan urged.

“No need. Please do as I said!” Lin Feng hung up immediately.

…

“Lin Feng, you don’t have the professional basketball player certification?” Zhang Chunzhi, who had not yet left after the interview, asked.

Lin Feng nodded, then suddenly said, “Editor Zhang, could I ask you a favor?”

“Go ahead.”

“Please add a statement to my interview,” Lin Feng requested.

“No problem. What would you like to add?”

“Two points: first, I refuse to pay the Basketball Association fine; second, I will appeal the association’s punishment against me at the sports arbitration body,” Lin Feng said solemnly.

“What? You’re going to sue the Basketball Association?” Zhang Chunzhi was shocked.

Lin Feng nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“If you want to publish this, I’ll have to get approval from my superiors,” Zhang said hesitantly.

“Alright, please do your best. If it can’t be published, that’s fine—I’ll post it on Weibo myself,” Lin Feng said.

“Okay, I’ll try my best to help you,” Zhang said, then took her leave.

Just as Zhang Chunzhi stepped out of the hotel, she saw that Lin Feng had updated his Weibo.

“If the sky is dark, then survive by feeling your way in the dark; if making noise is dangerous, then remain silent; if you feel powerless to shine, then curl up in the corner. But never get used to the darkness and defend it; never be proud of your own mediocrity; never mock those braver and more passionate than yourself. We may be as humble as dust, but we must never be twisted like worms.”

…