Page 202 of Wrong Pucking Player

Some fabricated bullshit.

“O-O-One million dollars?” Mikayla is the one to break the silence as she leans her head back so she can look into Maddox’s eyes. “For the team as a whole?”

“Nope,” he begins. “We had a bit of a tricky situation since some of the team already signed their contracts. The CEO didn’t want to budge and change the income thresholds that they agreed upon, but I threatened to walk out.”

“Wait, you threatened to walk out?” Wolfgang explains in surprise. I guess Maddox hadn’t told even those who went with him. “You didn’t tell us that!”

“Didn’t think it was necessary,” Maddox admits and wraps his arms around Mikayla’s waist. He clearly isn’t registering he’s in a public space.

Truthfully, I don’t think he cares.

“That was the reason why Damien and I went in with Mr. Slavonic, who’s a lawyer. After some negotiations and showing the initial contracts many teams and players received before they blew up in popularity, we were able to void the previous contract income brackets and ensure everyone on the Vipers who already signed would at least get a minimum of one million dollars first-year contract with fifty percent advance.”

No one says anything more, so Maddox continues.

“Anyone who waited to sign was able to secure 1.5 million contracts, with a fifty percent advance. Damien secured a two million deal because he provided the lawyer and financial backing with a bunch of sponsorships, and since I’m the captain, I was offered a bonus in my deal. Mr. Champion vouched for an increase because I’m apparently being sought after by multiple teams around the world, and with the social media popularity, they’re worried I’ll take a better offer before we even get to play, so…”

“How much are you being paid as captain?”

I’m surprised to hear Jayce’s voice.

I don’t need to look his way to feel the boiling anger that barely reaches his voice, which is attempting to be as emotionless as possible.

Maddox doesn’t seem threatened by him, so he answers honestly.

“Two and a half million. Fifty percent advance with a first-year contract. Once it’s up, I can ask for an increase, and if we end up not reaching the end of the season as a team, I have the option of being with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but I firmly stated if the Vipers don’t make it, we want to try again and become an established team.”

“Wait,” Mikayla interrupts. “You picked the option of keeping the Strattonville Vipers together versus going to the Toronto Maple Leafs?”

That’s the most unheard-of move I’ve ever heard of. Just the fact I’m witnessing such an option being presented in retaliation to secure the team’s new wages is mindblowing.

All eyes are once again on O’Riley.

He shrugs as if it’s not as big of a deal as it really is.

“Toronto Maple Leafs got to fame because they worked together and grew as a team. Sure, they’ve been playing for years, but so many players come and go. It’s experience and the thrill of being together that pushes them to do well and be a solid unit,” Maddox explains. “Why can’t Strattonville Vipers do the same?”

He’s right.

He’s 100% right.

Why can’t they do the same?

Heck. Why can’t they be better?

“Everyone loves to invest in the team they already know can score plenty of goals and potentially soar through the playoffs to the Stanley Cup, but there are even more organizations and people willing to invest in a team that wants to become the next big thing. We can reach the same level as the Toronto Maple Leafs. We can even do better. What’s stopping us from one day holding that Stanley Cup? Nothing. We can reach the top if we train and build each other up. So as captain, why would I set myself up for smooth sailing into this world of hockey and leave my team behind?”

His words are more than just emotionally moving. They’re a true reflection of what we’re dealing with in real time.

The difference between a captain and a real team captain who wants everyone to succeed with him.

This is the real difference between O’Riley versus Winchester.

Now, we’re forced to acknowledge it, especially when we see how lowballed we were in comparison to the Vipers, who are getting one-million-dollar base pay advancements.

There’s no way we can negotiate now, can we?

I may have a few connections, but the reasoning would have to be strong to let them pull those strings in my team’s favor.

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