"English," Braden fake-whispered at him.
Which made Chance chuckle. "Ok, let me put this another way. I don't want the B team. I don't care what you say about why they're back. I want these three men, in my colors - "
"Blue and green?" Mr. Merrill asked. "And yes, I did my own research on your company. Deviant Games has its own share of controversies."
"Yes, we do," Chance agreed. "Then again, sounds like they run parallel to yours. Excessive drinking, drug use, profanity, and a lack of respect for the rules? Those are things both of our markets are known for. Combating sexism? I blazed the trail on that, and now the PBR is doing the same. I watched one of your boys make a very nice speech about Southern hospitality."
"Gentlemen," Rhaven corrected.
"It's the same thing, isn't it?" Chance asked, lifting a brow at Mr. Merrill.
But Mr. Sousa was clearly tired of this. "So what do you want, Mr. Hunter?"
"I want our name and logo on the gates," Chance said. "I want banners around the arena. I want to sponsor shows - er, events. I have every intention of going full force with this, because our investment inonerider has made us two dollars for every one spent. That makes me think putting our name on these bullfighters might be even better."
"And we want them rebranded," Braden said. "From 'bullfighters' to the 'Deviant Rescue Squad.' We don't care if you say their recent absence was a part of this. What we do care about is who wears our gear. Let Red Bull sponsor the team you have now. That's fine."
"But we will pay more," Chance said, making it sound like a warning. "And if you refuse my offer, I will make it public."
"You're looking at over a million-dollar investment," Mr. Sousa warned.
Chance shrugged. "At least."
I could see Mr. Merrill all but drooling. That number? It would make him look good to the investors. I had no clue how it stacked up in the scheme of things, but the way Chance had just dangled more money in front of them? I was now impressed.
"We're not taking a portion of your investment for their pay," Mr. Haynes warned.
Chance waved that off. "We're going to sponsor these men individually. All I need is your agreement that we can have them. Not the B team, but these three. And yes, we're aware that if any one of them is injured or takes time off, the alternate will not be in our uniform. That should be appealing for you to get another sponsorship for them."
Mr. Merrill dragged a hand across his mouth. "You make it sound like you've done this before."
"It's no different with gamers," Rhaven pointed out. "The more skilled someone is, the more valuable their name is. That value comes back with exposure, because when people plaster their image on their computers, walls, or anywhere else, it will have our company logo with it."
"And recognition of a brand tends to build confidence," Chance said. "That increases sales, subscriptions, and customer loyalty. Thus, it's worth it to me, butonlyif the people I'msponsoring will bring that sort of attention. Those three men you have working right now? They don't."
"They're good bullfighters," Mr. Sousa insisted.
Chance shrugged. "I know nothing about that. What I do know is their reputation took a hit last weekend. A man died. One they were supposed to protect. Now, that death proves just how dangerous this sport is, but it also means they failed, and I'm not interested in paying for failure."
"Which is why we want these three," Braden told him.
"And who are you again?" Mr. Merrill demanded.
Braden smiled. "Manager of Mechanics."
"I thought you were bringing the Head of Company Outreach," Mr. Merrill said, making it sound like he'd been lied to.
"That's me," Rhaven said. "Then again, you made it clear you don't want to work with me."
"But I'm her equal in the company," Braden promised. "I spend more time on our own product, but I have been with Deviant Games since before the company even had that name."
"And my co-owner, due to her condition, has empowered Braden to be her stand-in. So that makes him my equal," Chance said.
"Well, let's break this out," Mr. Merrill said, gesturing again to the conference rooms behind him. "You'll want to consider the value of the banners on the arena and gates, as well as what options we have for branding the specific events."
Chance simply leaned back, making it clear he wasn't moving. "I'monlyinterested in the rest if we get the bullfighters, Donald."
I noticed how easily he used the man's first name. The other directors had called him Mr. Hunter, giving him that respect, but Chance hadn't returned it. He also hadn't insisted they use his first name the way he had with us.
