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?”
