Dollars.
That’s five million peryear,literally ten times my current salary.
I sit there staring at the notepad with my jaw dropped because this is so much more than I dreamed I’d walk away with today.
“I…” I start before trailing off, not even knowing what to say right now.
“Offer accepted,” Melanie replies emphatically.
I look at her and laugh. “What happened to negotiations?”
“Negotiations aren’t necessary when that contract is worth four times what our ask was, Zhuri.”
Sean looks at me now. “Are you satisfied with this?”
“Satisfied doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings right now,” I smile. “Yes, I’d love to accept that contract.”
“Perfect,” he grins. “We’re happy to pay you what you’ve always been worth now that we’re not bound by the constrictions of the WHL.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Eckhart.”
Sean levels me with a look. “I know I’ve told you before to call me Sean. Mr. Eckhart makes me feel old. Sadie would probably tell you that I am, but my daughter’s always loved pushing my buttons.”
Once the meeting is over, Melanie and I part ways. I trudge down the hall in a complete daze, still unable to believe what just happened.
“You good?” a voice asks from up ahead, and I look up to see Cameron at the end of the hall.
“Yeah,” I say, walking over to where he is. “Just signed my new contract.”
“How much?”
“I’m not telling you that,” I scoff.
Cameron chuckles. “Zhuri, player contracts are public information. ESPN will be talking all about this later.”
I roll my eyes before I relent since he’s right. And why not boast about my new windfall? “Four years, twenty million.”
He lets out an appreciative whistle. “Congrats, Zhuri baby. Same contract as me.”
I look at him in disbelief. “Are you serious?”
“Yes?” He looks at me curiously.
“I got the same contract as aman?”
“Yes,” he laughs. “From what my agent gathered before our meeting, we’re rumored to be the two highest paid on the team.”
“Holyshit!”
Cameron claps a hand on my shoulder. “Welcome to appropriate compensation, Hart. Now the fans will expect even more out of you because of your large contract.”
“You had to ruin this for me, didn’t you?”
He winks at me. “See you around, Zhuri.”
I roll my eyes, but can’t wipe the smile off my face.
This new NHL seems to really be trying to equal everything out the way they’re aiming to. I expected that women would still have to work harder to be appreciated.
