Ch.3: Winter Cup
- Genki
- Sep 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 26
Note: This is Chapter Three, which follows the Ch.2: Shigeru Mizushima. While it can be read on its own, it’s best enjoyed in order.
Christmas, where the mood of the winter season culminates. People spend that day in various ways: having beautiful time with loved ones, hanging out with friends, or eating fried chicken with family at a warm house. Oftentimes, people envy those being with a boyfriend or girlfriend, saying it’s not all about romance.
I wasn’t one of them last year.
I visited Winter Cup for the first time in my life.
After I did my first task and greeted some people at the Fanatics Japan office in Toranomon, which will be featured in Chapter 4, Mr. Mizushima suggested an unexpected event.
“Why don’t you visit Winter Cup with me next week?”
Winter Cup is the grail for Japanese young hoopers. The top of Japanese high school basketball is determined there every year with lots of media, articles, and fans across the nation. As I was still a member of my high school basketball team back then—shamefully, my team was not even close to that level—I was really hyped about the opportunity Mr. Mizushima gave me.
December 25th, 11:00 AM. That was the meeting time. Actually, it was the very first time I visited a Winter Cup venue, and there were more exhibitions, stands, and food than I expected. As Mr. Mizushima gave me five minutes of free time to wander around, I truly rejoiced in the scenery and the excitement that vibrantly filled the air.
I walked through the square and went upstairs to take a look at the goods shop, powered by Fanatics Japan, labeled “A Fanatics Experience” upward, where I was supposed to meet Mr. Mizushima.
Minutes later, he showed up with exclusive cards to enter the arena for free, the same ones staff or media workers hung from their necks. I wore mine as if it were a gold medal. Then, Mr. Mizushima and I looked around the store.
After making a few rounds, we ran into a man from one of the biggest advertising companies in Japan—let me name him T.I.
T.I. and Mr. Mizushima got into “business talk.” All I knew was that it was about business. They used words and concepts I wasn’t familiar with, and their conversation only sped up as we walked into the holding area of the store.
All the while, I just felt the exclusivity and privilege of being there.
Another person from the company appeared, though T.I. seemed to be in a higher position. As for him, Mr. Mizushima only greeted him briefly before stepping out of the room.
On our way to the Main Arena, Mr. Mizushima told me an important lesson. Not word-for-word, but roughly:
“Maybe lots of stuff you’ll see today will be confusing for you. But to experience this kind of thing in person is precious, especially rare at your age. Please learn something from it. Also, in business, there will be moments like today where you have no idea what’s going on. You might start to feel worthless or lose sight of your purpose for being there. That’s tough, but that’s business. I want you to know not just surface-level knowledge and tutorials, but also the hardships you might face in the business world.”
Worthless. The word struck me and sank deep. It wouldn’t be long before I truly understood what it meant.
Back in the Main Arena, under the glaring ceiling, fans cheered with songs, instruments, and tears running down players’ faces. Several 3rd Round games were held, including matchups with heavy anticipation. I was fortunate to watch Riku Segawa, arguably the best Japanese player of his age, then in Rakunan High School (Kyoto), now the point guard of the Chiba Jets Funabashi in the top league B1. Not only did I witness him, but I also got to watch a few more contenders in person—for free.
Meanwhile, the business talk continued in the arena. As you might expect, I had no idea what they were exactly discussing.
We looked for available seats and sat down for a few minutes. Soon after, Mr. Mizushima told me Mr. Kawana would arrive soon, so we headed outside and went to the goods shop again.
Minutes passed, and Mr. Kawana appeared. Honestly, it was the first time I’d seen him since our very first meeting, so I felt slightly nervous. He casually chatted with both Mr. Mizushima and T.I., and then headed back to the Main Arena to check the stores inside.
This time we didn’t sit in the seats but entered the inner area, where photographers and staff moved back and forth. Exclusivity hit me again.
The conversation there was much longer than before, while I was glued to the court watching Riku Segawa and his team.
For some context, Mr. Mizushima explained Fanatics’ role. Fanatics Japan is partially a manufacturing company, especially at events like Winter Cup. There is also a company working as the connector between retail and merchandise. Given that Fanatics isn’t the only company that sells product at such opportunities, rights around what they sell and cannot sell are sometimes controversial and difficult to handle. With that insight, I felt I finally understood the basics of the company I was about to intern at.
Nearly three hours after I arrived, Mr. Kawana, Mr. Mizushima, and I left Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium to grab lunch nearby.
We ended up at a hamburger shop, with Mr. Kawana treating us. It was a surreal scene: a high school intern eating lunch with a Managing Director and Senior Manager. I asked a few questions about his rationale for choosing Northwestern Kellogg School over other business schools. It was always a blessing to hear directly from alumni of top schools I aim to attend.
After lunch, we said goodbye to Mr. Kawana. Mr. Mizushima and I headed toward the station. He mentioned that lunch with Mr. Kawana might be my first and last such experience at Fanatics (indeed, it was). Mr. Mizushima also explained that he usually traveled overseas for Fanatics’ expansion, so he wouldn’t often be in the office.
We took different trains, and I waved at him.
I think I had one of the best Christmases ever.
This chapter is entirely written by Genki Kano. Any disclosed information of people in this chapter has been generously approved for public sharing.
Stay tuned for the next chapter: Welcome to Fanatics Japan
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