Page 12 of Hard to Hold

“Exactly.” His smile grows wider. “Funny you should mention the other leagues, but we’ll get back to that in a moment. Part of my promise in taking the helm here is to get the public excited about the league and what we have in store for them. I’m to encourage more players to come on board and play here versus venturing to teams overseas. I’m trying to attract the right star power for lack of a better word.”

“Makes sense.”

“And that’s where I’m hoping your expertise will come in.”

“You have my attention,” I say.

“I heard about how the Women’s National Basketball Association asked you to join their board a few years ago for the sole purpose of being a players’ advocate,” he says.

“They did and I was. My goal was to let the team owners know what players wanted, what was fair practice, and how to entice players to be part of a league trying to grow its fan base and appeal in the sport’s market.”

“And how did you feel about the role?” He angles his head to the side and waits for an answer.

“I loved it. I was making the league a better place for the athletes.”

“What did that entail?”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, did you go to events or functions, or were you strictly a board meeting attendee?”

“More board meeting than not. I had my regular work at KSM and luckily that allows me the flexibility to work from any hotel room. If they needed me to be at meetings in Chicago for a week, I could go. I’m lucky that in most instances, I can meet my clients’ needs with a simple phone call.”

“And that wasn’t too much for you?”

“No. Actually, it was a nice break from my day-to-day,” I say, thinking of the satisfaction I got from knowing I was making the league and its parameters—contractual and otherwise—better for the players.

Cannon runs a finger over his chin as he stares at me, as if his thoughts were elsewhere momentarily. “So, what if I told you that I wanted you to do the same for the MLS but with a stronger focus on winning over players.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning still sitting in various meetings to tell us where we fall short, but also being an advocate for us. Educating and enticing players as to why they should play here for us instead of venturing overseas to play.”

I nod slowly, mulling over his words. “I thought you originally said you were looking for an MLS ambassador to create a buzz in the hopes of widening the fan base and soccer’s stature in American culture. Expanding the fan base beyond high school and college level to become a lucrative career option.”

“You would be an ambassador of sorts. Titles don’t change what the job is.”

“Wouldn’t you be better off having someone who can stand in front of a crowd and create a draw? If that’s what you’re looking for, I can’t provide that.”

“I know how to do my job, Lennox. But thank you. I appreciate the advice.” He chuckles and gives a shake of his head. “I already have an ambassador like that. He’ll be announced to the public in the coming days.”

“Okay, so this is like a one-two punch? He’s working the public side of it and I’m working behind the scenes? Are there any more positions like this?”

“I love a woman who likes details,” he says with a smile.

I let the comment go, uncertain if it’s a dig or not.

“But yes, you’re correct. He’s the public persona while you’re the cog behind him trying to make sure everything looks appealing so that the incredible MLS he’s speaking about becomes a reality.”

“So what? I need to show up to events to schmooze and convince investors that we’re making the league stronger, work behind the scenes . . . what else are my duties?”

“Nothing more than make the players happy and want to play here.”

I tap my pen against my pad as I try to look at what the cons in taking this job could be other than strapping my time . . . and even that isn’t a bad thing.

“Happiness is a fickle thing to measure,” I say.

“I have no doubt you can achieve it.” His smile lights up his eyes.