Chapter 31
Vee
Fin’s name lit up my cell phone on the conference table, but my attention was needed with the topics at hand.
The executive board met this morning with little hostility.
Apparently, that was because the other members were waiting for an afternoon ambush.
With the exception of Royce Beasley, the same people who met earlier were now sitting around the large conference table in the executive office suite.
“Projections at the beginning of the regular season,” Uncle Darin said, “of Coopers’ value by the end of the current fiscal year included a twenty-five-percent increase.
That percentage is the norm throughout the league, based on future earnings.
That percentage has dropped and is continuing to drop since the news of Reid’s death. ”
I had the spreadsheets on my laptop. “This devaluation is a prediction, not a guaranteed trajectory.” I met everyone’s gaze. “We’ve played one game since Dad’s passing. We won. I checked our ticket sales earlier this afternoon. There hasn’t been a decrease in sales or an influx of cancellations.”
“You don’t understand,” Darin said.
Gritting my teeth, I sat taller. Narrowing my eyes, I lowered my tone. “Explain it.”
Darin stood, pushing his chair away from the table, slapped his hands against his thighs, and spoke through clenched teeth.
“Vee, you can learn this, but not in time to save this season or save us from the fallout.” His nostrils flared.
“The CEO position needs to be filled. It needs to be held by someone who doesn’t require a remedial course in NFL franchises. ”
I didn’t require a remedial course, but saying that was pointless. “What are our coaches saying about morale?”
Darin looked at Grant.
Grant took a deep breath. “The coaches are worried. So is Royce. He’s been the general manager since Grandpa Carroll was alive. He’s seen transitions and is genuinely concerned.”
I made a note to search for new general managers. “Go on. What about Tilson?”
Grant pressed his lips together. “Concerned, Vee. Everyone is.”
“I met with Don this morning.”
All the eyes around the table turned to me with expressions of surprise.
“We discussed yesterday’s game,” I said.
“While his compliment teetered on the misogynist side, Don said he was willing to give me a chance.” I met Grant’s gaze.
“If you’re hearing something different, someone is lying to one of us.
” I turned to Lip. “Talk about branding. How are sales of Coopers merchandise?”
“Strong. They went up after the announcement about Uncle Reid. Dennison is always a strong seller. Graham has jumped by over two hundred percent since the preseason.”
“Well, he wasn’t playing for us until preseason. But that’s good.” I turned to Darin and lifted an eyebrow.
“Jesus,” my uncle said as he sat back in his chair.
“It’s the uncertainty that will sink us.
We’re now officially in a bye week, a week since Reid’s passing.
His service is tomorrow. The NFL world is heartbroken; we all are.
However, they’re waiting for the CEO announcement.
The CEO position needs to be filled by a competent person.
” He went on. “There are important matters at hand. Last year, the NFL moved to allow private equity firms to hold ten percent of the ownership.”
“I’m not selling one percent of the Coopers,” I said, “much less ten percent. The Coopers have been a family-owned team and will remain a family-owned team.”
“You know Reid wanted to host a Super Bowl.”
“I do.”
“Reid was considering the equity firm move,” Darin said.
“There are multiple league-approved firms. The Dolphins are in negotiations as are the Bills. A private equity firm would give us more cash, unlock liquidity. Reid was looking to invest in Lexington’s infrastructure to increase our bid for a Super Bowl. ”
If this was true, it was something else I didn’t know. “Let me get this straight. You’re saying that everyone is concerned about the Coopers’ value postseason, yet you’re also suggesting that selling off ten percent of the team is the answer?”
“That’s very simplistic,” Darin replied. “In a nutshell.”
“You’re saying that Dad was considering selling ten percent of the team and would do so without mentioning it to me?”
“If you didn’t know, he didn’t tell you,” Grant said. “We all knew about it.”
“Aunt Rachel?” I asked.
My aunt inhaled and exhaled. “The subject came up. Just like the idea of expanding Crystal Light, Reid shut it down.”
“Rachel,” Darin said, aghast. “You must not have been in the same conversation.”
“I’m sorry, Darin. I was. Reid would have rather cut off his left foot than sell even one percent of the team. He wanted the Coopers to stay in the family, whether to his children—Vee—or to all of us. The second option was being discussed.”
A look at my watch told me it was approaching five thirty. “I’ve made a decision regarding the CEO position.” The room became quiet. “Tomorrow will be about Dad and family. Wednesday, we will meet in the Carroll Room at ten in the morning. The press release will be out before noon on Wednesday.”
Uncle Darin narrowed his eyes. “Vee, you aren’t considering an outsider to come in as CEO, are you?”
“You realize only the Green Bay Packers have a non-family member as CEO,” Grant said. “There are many of us in the room who are qualified for the title.”
I forced a smile despite my aching head. “What would make you think that?”
“I’ve heard,” Darin began, “that you’ve been talking to one of the owners of the Colts.”
I had, but that wasn’t public knowledge.
The Indianapolis Colts were recently put in a similar situation.
The owner passed away, leaving the team to his three daughters.
After speaking to one, I had a sudden desire for a sibling—nothing I’d ever wished for before.
I was navigating ground that the sisters had recently conquered. Their advice was appreciated.
I’d also worked with my new attorney, Tricia Loften.
Between her advice and Cammy Wilcox’s, I felt confident in my decision.
“I’ve done research,” I admitted. “Within the NFL, owner or family member CEOs are common practice. However, there is nothing in the NFL rules against having a non-family member appointed to the CEO position.”
“You can’t seriously—”
I cut my cousin off. “Tomorrow is about Dad. No mention of the CEO position. As you all know, the service will be held in the indoor practice facility beginning at eleven. The team and guests will utilize the stands. There will be chairs on the floor for family and close friends. If you haven’t discussed the number of chairs you’ll need with the executive office, do so right away.
More than likely, the staff has already begun setting up for tomorrow.
“The dinner after the service will be catered by Dad’s favorite barbecue restaurant.
I worked with stadium operations and decided that the indoor practice field is big enough to provide space for both functions.
Tomorrow, the field will be divided by a curtain.
The tables for the meal will be on the other side of the curtain.
In case you haven’t heard, Dad’s body will not be at the service; instead, there will be pictures of him through the years.
If any of you want to say your final words to Dad, you can meet Daphne and me at Hahn Brothers’ Funeral Home from nine to ten tomorrow. ”
When no one replied, I nodded and stood, ready to leave.
“Vee,” Lip said, “may I speak with you?”
“Sure.” I arched my eyebrows. “Come with me to my office?”
Jen was gone for the night, and the front office was dark as Lip and I made our way back to my private office. “What’s up?” I asked as the door closed behind us.
“I told Bre that I needed two chairs.”
“Okay.”
“I’d like Chris to be there with me. He’s been my rock.”
“Okay.” A genuine smile curled my lips. “Were you expecting me to say no?”
Tears filled his eyes. “I was hoping you’d talk me out of it. Tomorrow will be a lot. I’m not sure it’s the right time to make another announcement like that.”
“Like you have someone special in your life?”
Lip nodded.
“I think it’s a perfect time. No one should be alone. I’ve debated, but I’m going to ask Fin to sit with me. We’ve already made headlines. Lip, fuck anyone who judges us.”
“You don’t think it will hurt the Coopers in any way?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know and don’t care. Lexington is a progressive community despite thoughts of the state in general. The Coopers will survive this.”
“I kind of wish…” He rubbed his nose with the back of his hand.
“What?” I asked.
“I wish I’d have brought Chris to the family suite, so he could have met Uncle Reid.”
“I have the same regret about Fin. The morning Dad died, I was on my way to tell him about Fin. I wish they’d gotten to know one another.” I tilted my head. “Leigh and Hayden know Chris. Have Uncle Darin and Aunt Rachel met him?”
He nodded. “Yeah.” He feigned a grin. “Mom said she’s working on Dad. Grant knows I’m gay. He doesn’t know there’s anyone in my life—anyone special.”
“Maybe Grant should find his own special person.” I arched my eyebrow. “It wouldn’t hurt the chip on his shoulder to get laid.”
“Daphne’s available,” Lip said with a scoff.
“Oh,” I said, making a gagging face. “What was with the two of them on the plane?”
“I don’t even want to guess.” Lip smiled. Leaning closer, he hugged me. “Chris and I will be at the funeral home tomorrow morning.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing Chris again.”
“Have you really made a decision regarding CEO?”
I nodded. “I have. It feels right.”
“Do I get any more information?”
I shook my head.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
After Lip left, I checked Fin’s text. There was a recent text message, the one I saw during our last meeting.
“DID YOU GET MY VOICEMAIL?”
I shook my head. The weight of the day’s meetings pressed on my shoulders. I hadn’t heard his message. Going to my voicemail box, I listened.
“Hey, Vee. I just left the training center. Good news, I’m fine.
Bad news, that SOB fractured one of my ribs, number nine.
Trainers say my name is going out in this week’s injury report as questionable.
Not sure if you’ve seen the report. Didn’t want you to worry.
Fin’s-in-control is still the plan. See you tonight. ”
I let out a sigh and went to my computer. Scrolling, I found the email from the training facility with our current injury report.
Griffin Graham, QB – questionable. Rib fracture.
Xavien Martin, DE – doubtful. Knee, MCL sprain.
Eric Rhodes, DE – limited participant. High ankle sprain.
Corden Young, OT – out. Meniscus tear.
Ramel Patel, WR, - questionable. Knee, PCL sprain.
A questionable rating meant that Fin and Patel had a fifty-fifty chance of playing in the Titans game.
We had nearly two weeks for their recovery.
Our offensive tackle, Young, would be missed.
I scribbled a note to talk to Drew about the position on Wednesday.
Also, our defensive end, Martin. Hopefully, Brown will look into Pickett from the practice squad.
Leaning back, I thought about my decision for CEO. It felt right for where the Coopers were. Standing, I gathered my things to head home; simultaneously, an echo of a knock resonated through my office.
“Hello,” I called.
Bre Stanton pushed the door open. “Vee, can I talk to you?”