He Got Sponsored?

“What were you thinking doing something like that without our knowledge?!” scolded Lira.

“I-I-I just thought that we could help each other out,” explained Daniel. “I mean, they wanted to sponsor us, so why not? The shoes they make are really good, so what’s the harm?”

Kody let out a sigh. “A sponsorship is a really big deal,” he told Daniel seriously. “It’s a symbol of trust between both parties towards a shared interest. Basically, we will offer them advertisement and customers in exchange for a portion of the profit and other benefits regarding their merchandise. The relationship between a sponsor and the sponsoree possesses risks for both sides. Just as our performance on the court can influence their sales and production, their revenue impacts our lifestyle and how further we can climb up the ranks of the league.”

‘Whoa, did I just get us in a really big mess?’ worried Daniel.

“With that being said, these products are very good,” said Brock, breaking up the tension.

“I’ve never felt shoes these light before. And they work really well, too,” agreed Erin.

“I think I can play my entire season without having to worry about getting brand new shoes every other month,” added Jerry half-jokingly.

“Well, I admit that wearing them doesn’t prohibit my movements,” grumbled Toby reluctantly.

“I guess that settles it,” announced the coach. “I’ll send a word to discuss setting up a sponsorship meeting with Hawkes Wings.”

“Really?!” exclaimed Daniel, Lira, and Kody in surprise.

“We’re a young team in the league,” said the coach, “so having a sponsor will help us advance further in the league. It doesn’t matter if they are a local name, any help is welcome. And if they are willing to allow us the opportunity to represent their brand, then we shall reply in kind and accept their help. This means that in order to make this work, we will have to work harder. Think of this as motivation for us to achieve our dream of becoming the best team in the entire league.” After the coach had said all that he needed to say, he left the room. Everyone understood that once the coach was finished, that was the end of the conversation—period.

On the day of the meeting, Daniel, who the team insisted to act as the team’s representative, found himself standing in front of two large wooden doors in the Stars’ main office building. He took a deep breath and went inside. The room was larger than a living room and had a long sofa couch on each side of a rectangular coffee table in the middle of the room. Sitting on the left side was William Hawkes and his son Nico. Opposite of them was the coach and Lira. Sitting on a chair at the head of the table was a man whom Daniel was unfamiliar with. The man had graying hair and wrinkles around his eyes but didn’t appear older than a man in his late 30s. He was dressed in a very expensive coat over a clean white shirt with a striped tie around his neck. Even his aura screamed noble and well-bred.

“Ah, you must be Max Power,” said the man with a welcoming nod. “We were expecting you. Please, take a seat.”

Daniel did as he was told and took a seat next to Lira. “Who’s the old man?” he asked her with a whisper.

“Vito Fen, the owner of the Siraco Stars,” answered back Lira.

“Oh,” said Daniel with an understanding nod.

“He’s also my father,” added Lira.

“I see. So, he’s your father….Eh?! What?! He’s your father?!” exclaimed Daniel in wide-eyed surprise. “You mean to tell me that you’re the daughter of the owner of the Siraco Stars?!”

“Did you forget?” came Lira with a raised eyebrow of disbelief. “Oh, right, your amnesia,” she added disparagingly.

‘If I knew that she was the daughter of the owner maybe I would’ve been nicer to her so I can advance my position on the team,’ regretted Daniel with a sorrowful expression.

“You were just thinking something immoral, weren’t you?” snapped Lira.

“N-No way!” protested Daniel defensively.

The coach cleared his throat and Daniel and Lira quickly became quiet. Vito laughed amusedly. “I can tell that the team really gets along well with each other,” he said with an approving nod. “Now, let us get back to the topic at hand.” He turned his attention back to William. “Mr. Hawkes, based on testimony from the players and from what I have seen of your product, I would like nothing better than to offer you the sponsorship role for my team. I am willing to agree to a 30/70 deal.”

William’s eyes were filled with delighted surprise. “O-Of course! Just the fact that a team like yours is willing to accept us as your sponsor is enough! We will gladly accept the thirty percent deal!” he excitedly announced.

Vito smiled and said, “I think there’s some misunderstanding. You will not be receiving thirty percent, Mr. Hawkes. That is ours.”

“The thirty percent is yours? But then that means….” Vito answered the shoe maker with a silent nod. “B-B-But that’s too much!” protested William humbly.

“Your product is the real deal,” declared Vito matter-of-factly. “If you would like, I would not mind upping it to seventy-eight percent—.”

“No, seventy is quite enough!” interjected William.

“That’s good to know,” said Vito with a smile. “I would not be offering this deal if your products were not up to snuff. And there’s also the players’ feelings to take into account.” He then turned to the coach and Daniel. “Do you agree with this deal?” he asked them.

“I think it’s perfect,” said the coach, “Although I don’t think my opinion really matters much in this situation.”

“I wholeheartedly agree with this decision!” announced Daniel happily.

“There you have it,” said Vito to the Hawkes.

The owner produced a contract and set it before the Hawkes. Both father and son read through the paper together and exchanged smiles. William happily took the pen provided to him by Vito and signed the contract.

“Now that the deal is sealed, starting with our next game, all players will be required to wear shoes from Hawkes Wings,” Vito told the coach. “Lira, can you aid with making sure that this rule is being followed? All other shoe brands that are not Hawkes Wings can only be worn outside the court. However, players that choose to wear Hawkes Wings for all occasions in their daily life will receive an extra 250,000 kairo added to their salary.”

‘2-2-25 million yen?!’ stuttered Daniel with a dumbfounded expression.

After the meeting was over, Daniel and Lira left for the gym with the coach. The team were already gathered on the court by the time the three arrived. “How did it go?” asked Kody as soon as Daniel entered through the door.

“I have a message for everyone here!” announced Lira with hands on her hips. “As of now, Hawkes Wings will be a sponsor for the Siraco Stars. As part of the deal, all members of the Stars will be required to wear Hawkes Wings merchandise on the court. However, off the court, you are free to wear whatever you like. But if you continue to wear Hawkes Wings merchandise even off the court, you will be guaranteed an increase to your salary by the amount of 250,000 kairo!”

“250,000 kairo?!” exclaimed the team in unison.

“So if we wear this brand even when we’re not playing, we’ll get a raise!” cheered Erin with his usual laid-back smile.

“Alright! I’ll make sure to get all of my shoes from Hawkes Wings! That includes formal wear and casual wear, too!” declared Toby passionately.

“I wonder if they have some nice dating shoes,” wondered Jerry with a grin.

“If their other shoes are anything like the one’s Max brought in, then I’ll for sure make them my go-to brand,” added Jack with a nod.

“250,000 kairo for the win!” whooped Brock.

“It’s good to be excited and all, but don’t think this means we can take it easy,” came the coach. “In order for this deal to remain, we must do everything we can to bring the business the customers they need. This means that we must work harder than we’ve ever worked before.”

“Yeah!” agreed the team. With renewed motivation from the monetary incentive, the team returned to their practice.

“You know, I’ve never thought that we would ever come this far as a team,” said Kody to Daniel. The both of them were standing to the side watching the rest of the team engage in practice.

“What do you mean?” asked Daniel.

“I guess I should’ve expected this,” sighed Kody with a small smile. He then proceeded to tell Daniel the history of the Siraco Stars.

The Siraco Stars is a very young team that started two years ago. It is the youngest team in the league, and as such, is at a disadvantage when it comes to renown and prestige. The owner, Vito Fen, started the team to bring more renown to his hometown of Siraco. Though Vito was already well-known throughout the kingdom of Ilias as an established merchant, he never forgot his hometown. It took well over three years before the Siraco Stars was finally accepted into the league. When it did, though, no one was willing to give such a green team a chance. Any coach that Vito came across rejected his offers out of fear for their reputation. The current coach of the Stars, however, was an old friend of Vito and took up the latter’s offer without much hesitation.

When it came to recruiting players, no one wanted to give the team a chance and sign with them. Though it may have seemed that all hope was lost for the new team, one rising-star decided to take the chance and sign with the team. That person was none other than Max Power, the hottest rookie in the history of the league and a top-grade recruit sought by every team of the league. After his signing was made public, many other players followed suit. These were the same players that make up the team’s current incarnation. Armed with some of the greatest rookies to ever play the game, the Stars quickly became a top contender.

“In the end, we got to where we are now because of you,” Kody told Daniel. “If you didn’t take that chance, I’m pretty sure that the guys here now would’ve been playing for different teams. In fact, I only joined you because of our relationship as childhood friends. I decided to take a chance on this team because you did.”

“I see,” said Daniel, blushing.

“Well, your injury did kind of dragged us back a bit,” said Kody with a small laugh. “But we still managed to make everyone take us seriously. And now with this sponsorship, we’re getting even more closer to becoming a true professional team.”

“Hopefully this makes up for me dragging you guys back,” offered Daniel with a laugh.

“Hey, Pepper! Power! Get back to practice!” shouted the coach.

“Yes sir!”