Chapter 42
Vee
Afew hours later, Aunt Rachel and I were with the rest of the executive officers, and our agenda was miles long.
We had decisions that couldn’t wait—white jersey or amber.
After much debate, I made the decision. Color jerseys won the last three Super Bowls.
A colored jersey would win the next. The Coopers would wear amber with black pants.
The Coopers were guaranteed the East Side Owners Club suite.
Lip began his quest with corporate sponsors many months ago. He reported that since yesterday, he’d been in contact with some of the sponsors who pledged to be part of the Coopers’ Super Bowl run.
Crystal Light, in conjunction with Microsoft and Visa, agreed to pay for additional suites adjacent to the East Side Owners Club. Combining the adjacent suites by removing the dividers would accommodate up to fifty people. Our owners club would hold up to twenty.
Aunt Rachel and Lip were working on the list of individual sponsors we would invite to attend. Our Coopers jerseys would include a patch with the Crystal Light logo.
Uncle Darin reported, “Our director of team operations is working on the travel plans to Los Angeles. Not only for the team. We’ll charter planes for family members, significant others, children, and special guests of the players. It’s better if they don’t travel commercially for safety purposes.”
“How many people?” I asked.
“Depends on the players. An email will be sent out this morning. We’re planning on around three hundred.”
Inhaling through my nose, my eyes widened.
“Our director’s team is currently coordinating hotel blocks and transportation.”
“Each active player on the team,” Grant said, “is allocated two complimentary tickets. According to the NFL, each player has the option to purchase up to thirteen additional tickets out of their own pocket.”
“Have you informed Coach Tilson?” I asked.
“Not yet. We’re gathering all the information so we can send it directly to the players.
We, the players, and the coaching staff will be housed for a week at Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills.
It’s close to the Rams Village at Warner Center where the team will practice.
There are also massive meeting and ballroom spaces. ”
“Vee,” Aunt Rachel said, “You and I will have a dedicated, secure hospitality suite in the Warner Center Marriott for invite-only events.
The hotel also will accommodate additional activities such as luncheons, dinners, and cocktail parties.
It will provide us with space away from the media.
However, other events will be held throughout the city.
“While the coaches and players are concentrating on winning, this is a perfect time for networking. The Coopers are hot. This is when we can market the Coopers to donors, sponsors, and the season ticket holders who won the lottery.”
I nodded.
“We also need our assistants to coordinate our schedule for press conferences,” she said. “Did you get the email about giving the keynote speech at the Super Bowl Innovative Summit?”
“I sent that one to Grant.”
Grant nodded.
“He’s more qualified to speak about technology, finance, and sports entertainment. I’ll attend with him.”
“I think that sounds good,” she said.
“Oh,” I said, looking down at my notes. “As you all know, all season ticket holders were notified weeks ago to complete a form if they wanted to participate in the lottery. The randomized digital drawing should be completed late today or early tomorrow. Every ticket holder who applied agreed to the terms, one is that their credit card will be immediately charged. There’s no time for them to think.
The randomized system is fascinating. It accounts for tenure and weighs eligibility based on the number of consecutive years the person has been a Coopers season ticket holder.
The longer a fan has been loyal, the more entries the system gives them.
And those fans who own premium seats or suites are placed in a higher-probability pool. ”
“You and I,” Aunt Rachel said to me, “will also be busy in various closed-door meetings with corporate partners, especially those whose contracts are nearing expiration. We have an advantage only allotted to two NFL teams. Our task will be negotiating new contracts based on our Super Bowl appearance.”
“Merchandise,” Lip said. “Our online sales for postseason merchandise soared over the last few weeks. In less than twenty-four hours since winning the AFC championship, orders for t-shirts, hats, and more have surged to numbers we’ve never seen before.
Now that we know the Coopers will be wearing amber, our designers will get Super Bowl jerseys online. ”
“We definitely want to see amber in the stands,” I said.
“I’m getting ahead of myself,” Uncle Darin said, “but this run has elevated—and will continue to elevate—the Coopers franchise overall valuation.”
I arched an eyebrow. “The same one you warned would drop after Dad’s accident?”
With his lips pressed together, he inhaled causing his nostrils to flare.
“That very one.” Uncle Darin nodded. “Those were uncertain times. I’m happy to say we’ve come out on the other side.
” He looked around. “As for the elephant in the room... Vee, congratulations on sole ownership. Obviously, Reid went the extra mile to ensure you held on to the team.”
I scanned each face. “Dad knew what worked. Despite personal differences” —I looked at Grant— “he believed in all of us working together. I have no plan to change any of that.” My focus went to Aunt Rachel. “Thank you for taking over as CEO. We’re going to need you there for another year or two.”
“You have me.”
My watch told me we had already passed our usual adjournment time.
“Before we go, I spoke with Aunt Rachel before the meeting. This news must stay between only us until after the Super Bowl.” I had everyone’s attention.
“The game in Los Angeles will be Coach Tilson’s last game as the Coopers’ head coach. ”
“What the fuck, Vee?” Grant questioned. “We’re going to the Super Bowl and you fired him, without talking to us?”
“No.”
Aunt Rachel spoke. “Don informed Vee this morning that he accepted a position at University of Michigan. He’s tired of professional football.”
“It’s past Black Monday,” Lip said.
“It is,” I agreed. “There will still be many formidable options who will be willing to come to Lexington. We’re more than a small-market team.
We’re a Super Bowl-contending team. But I asked Don for his opinion on who his replacement should be.
He said Andrew Pratt. For the same reason we offered Quinten Ledger the general manager position—familiarity—I think we should consider Drew. ”
Uncle Darin leaned back against his chair. “As if we didn’t have enough happening.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Now, this news doesn’t leave this room. University of Michigan has also agreed not to announce Don as their hire until after the Super Bowl.”
As we were leaving the Carroll meeting room, Grant stopped me. “Daphne is coming with us to LA.”
I felt my nostrils flare. “I assumed so.”
“Okay?”
The way he said the one word sounded like a question.
“I’m sure she told you she finally called me.
Listen, there’s never been any love lost between Daphne and me.
I don’t know what to think of her marriage to Dad, and I honestly don’t have the bandwidth to analyze it.
I hope Dad was happy with his choices. Daphne should be too.
My advice is to come clean to everyone. I mean, if you want a future with her. ”
“We’re not ready for that. It’s another reason I wanted to talk to you in private. Don’t say anything.”
“I won’t. Daphne didn’t deny it when we spoke. She also told me it’s been going on for years.” I shrugged. “I’m a fan of monogamy and don’t see the appeal in…whatever it is you’re doing or Dad did.”
“Just don’t cause issues.”
I shook my head. “Grant, it’s my team and my plane. I can fucking kick her ass out. I’m not going to.” I narrowed my gaze. “If you want to give someone a warning, give it to Daphne.”
It was nearly twelve thirty by the time I made it back to my office.
“Vee,” Jen said as I entered the outer office, “Virginia Athens is in your office. I hope you don’t mind. I know you have another meeting at one.”
“Could you get me a salad from the cafeteria?”
“Sure thing.”
“Thank you.” I inhaled and opened the door.
Virginia was standing near the windows. She turned my way as the door opened. “I have information on the roses.”