Blackstone Code

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"Three hundred and fifty thousand bucks, Mr. Lynch," Kane said, glancing at Mo before delivering a figure that was far from modest.

This was precisely why so many businesses, despite being profitable, hesitated to dip their toes into the world of professional sports.

And this was just the baseline expense for a team newly entering a professional league. As the club grew, so too would its financial demands—more spending on facilities, staff, marketing, and more.

Lynch didn't respond immediately, leaving Kane no choice but to press on. "In addition to the equipment we need to acquire, we'll require specialized personnel. And if we want to build our own stars, we'll need funds for promotional activities."

"And," he added, "now that the club has returned to the professional ranks, the players' salaries will also need to increase…"

Back in the amateur days, the young men on the team earned less than some trainees at top-tier clubs. But now, with the team back in the professional circuit, Kane felt it was only right to bump up their wages. It wasn't just about fairness—it was an unspoken rule. Different levels of clubs came with different salary standards. While the Athletes' Association hadn't codified this into law, everyone adhered to it as though it were gospel—a quiet understanding among the elite.

Moreover, raising salaries would help attract promising talent. In this cutthroat era, nothing spoke louder than money when it came to luring potential stars. Kane thought this would be a straightforward request, one Lynch wouldn't object to. But, as fate would have it, this was where things got complicated.

Kane hesitated, unsure how to explain. After nearly a minute, he finally replied, "It's what everyone does. It's industry standard."

"That's your rule, not mine," Lynch said, shaking his head. He sat upright, his posture unchanged, yet the weight of his presence bore down on the two men across the desk.

The tension hung in the air for twenty seconds before Kane cracked. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lynch…"

Lynch raised a hand to silence him. "No need to apologize. We simply disagree."

"I'm not like the others. What works for most doesn't necessarily work for me."

"I agree with raising salaries and improving benefits—but with one condition: accountability. Rewards without consequences breed complacency. If we simply inflate wages to match the so-called 'industry norm,' we'll become just like them."

He didn't specify who "they" were, but the other two men in the room knew exactly what he meant.

"So, I agree with your proposal—with an addition. Punishment must accompany reward. Only through a balance of both can we maintain competitiveness and ensure our players never slack off."

"I understand your concern," Lynch continued. "You're worried other teams will poach our talent with bigger offers. That brings me to my next point…" He flipped through Kane's documents. "We're changing the contract system. Everyone will need to sign a new agreement."

Kane and Mo were speechless, their eyes locked on Lynch as he laid out his vision for the club.

"Earlier, Mr. Mo mentioned we'll be bringing in state-of-the-art equipment and hiring top-tier professionals to train our athletes."

Mo nodded, his scalp tingling. "That's correct, Mr. Lynch."

Lynch gave a slight nod. "This means we'll be investing heavily in our players' development. Therefore, I propose an additional contract—a commitment to training and improvement."

"Training, growth, creating stars—all of this costs money. While individual talent plays a role, the majority of the investment comes from the club. We take ordinary athletes and turn them into stars, offering them high salaries and superior benefits to prevent them from jumping ship the moment someone waves a bigger paycheck. This, in my opinion, is the most distorted aspect of professional sports culture."

"When we train skilled workers, we bind them with strict contracts to ensure our investments aren't wasted. Why should professional athletes be any different?"

In industries reliant on cutting-edge technology, specialized workers undergo rigorous training to master skills beyond the reach of the average person. To prevent these workers from leaving once trained, companies offer lucrative terms—but with strings attached. Minimum service periods, non-compete clauses—all designed to protect their interests.

Athletes, especially star athletes, are no different from these highly skilled workers. They enjoy the best resources the industry has to offer but often shirk responsibility. Too often, players abandon the clubs that nurtured them for greener pastures, leaving years of investment and effort down the drain. Lynch intended to change that.

If a player benefited from the club's resources and training, they owed the club their loyalty. Want to leave? Fine—but only if they could pay the price. How much that price would be, and who would foot the bill, remained to be determined.

Lynch outlined his plan, leaving Kane and Mo exchanging uneasy glances. Was this demand unreasonable? Not entirely. The club had poured vast resources into its players; some form of guarantee was only fair. But could it be accepted? In this industry, such a precedent didn't exist.

Finally, Kane ventured, "This… has never been done before."

"It is now," Lynch said firmly. "My lawyer will deliver the new contracts. Only players who sign the training agreement will receive our best services, expert guidance, and the chance to become stars here."

The matter seemed non-negotiable. Sensing the finality in Lynch's tone, Kane forced a smile. "The players might have some objections…"

"Then let them walk. The labor market is full of young, healthy candidates eager for work. We'll find ones who suit us."

"Kane, remember this: the world doesn't revolve around any one person. We hold the keys to their success."

With that, the discussion ended. After a pause, neither man offered further objections. Lynch rose, patting the armrest of his chair. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. I have a meeting with the mayor shortly."

The Baylor Federation wasn't a place for subtlety or restraint. Here, humility was seen as weakness. Confidence wasn't a flaw—if you had the ability, why hide it?

Kane and Mo escorted Lynch to the club entrance. As he rolled down the car window, Lynch added, "The funds will arrive with the accountant in a few days. You'll have new colleagues soon."

With operations ramping up and financial transactions growing, hiring additional staff was inevitable. Kane and Mo understood this—but it didn't make the reality any easier to swallow.

Twenty minutes later, Lynch arrived at Mark's villa.

"Congratulations on your team's championship," the mayor of Sabin greeted him warmly. His smile was genuine; a title win was a morale booster, especially during tough times. It embodied Sabin's resilience and fighting spirit.

"When will the funding arrive?" Lynch asked as they settled into the study.

"By tomorrow afternoon at the latest," the mayor replied. Beyond municipal support, the Athletes' Association also provided incentives to encourage clubs advancing professional sports. Together, the funds totaled around eighty thousand bucks—not staggering, but not insignificant either. And with each passing year, as the club climbed the ranks, the amount would grow.

After wrapping up this minor detail, the mayor leaned back, studying Lynch with evident satisfaction. "Lynch, do you think we stand a chance?"

The question was abrupt, even cryptic. The mayor braced himself to clarify—but to his surprise, Lynch understood immediately.

"Of course," Lynch replied, his relaxed posture betraying his confidence.

The mayor tilted his head, intrigued. "You know what I'm talking about?"

"Nagalier."

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