Even someone as experienced and composed as Trevor Edwards, who had prepared himself mentally for today's negotiation, couldn't help but show a rare moment of disbelief. The sheer audacity of the proposal was shocking. A faint smile crept onto his face as he looked at Donald, as if he were waiting for the punchline to a joke.
But Donald wasn't joking.
His expression remained calm, with not even a hint of amusement. Seeing Edwards' reaction, Donald simply repeated his words with the same composed demeanor.
"Mr. Edwards, you heard correctly. $7.5 million annually, for a 10-year contract. That's my offer."
Given that the current NFL sponsorship ceiling was only $2.5 million annually, Donald's proposal—a figure three times higher—was utterly preposterous.
Edwards' smile faltered slightly, though he quickly composed himself, trying to regain control of the situation. "That's not what we discussed last time."
Donald nodded slightly, as if agreeing with Edwards. "I know. But that was then. Now, things are different. After all, two weeks have passed since then."
Edwards frowned slightly: How unreasonable! "Negotiations don't work this way."
"I know," Donald replied with a serene face. "But this is how I feel today."
Donald leaned forward slightly, his tone sharp and deliberate.
"The price has changed again. $10 million annually, over 10 years."
Edwards stared at Donald as though he were utterly insane.
Donald didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, radiating confidence. "Mr. Edwards, I'm dissatisfied with Nike's attitude in this partnership."
"We both know what Lance represents right now. He's not Odell Beckham Jr., nor is he Tom Brady. He is Lance—unique and unparalleled."
"How long has the NFL been waiting for this opportunity?"
"The league just signed a broadcast deal with China, and Lance stepped onto the scene. Roger Goodell now has the final piece to his plan for global expansion, particularly in Asia. Nothing can stop this now."
"When we discuss Lance, those so-called disadvantages—the doubts, the biases—are now his greatest strengths, enabling him to rewrite narratives and make history."
"This is unprecedented. I believe Lance has an even greater advantage than Jordan once did. After all, the NFL is already the most profitable league globally, far surpassing the NBA during Jordan's era. This comparison isn't even close."
"So, when we sit down to negotiate, I expect not just sincerity but also vision. Otherwise, I don't see the point in continuing."
Was this outrageous nonsense?
No—it was decisive, strategic, and uncompromising.
Donald looked at Edwards calmly.
"Of course, we can continue waiting, see when Lance finally loses a game, or whether he gets injured, or how long the Chiefs can keep up their performance this season. But believe me, the longer we wait, the more the scales tip in our favor."
"Yes, Lance might lose eventually. But he might also keep winning."
"The real focus isn't on wins or losses. It's on Lance consistently delivering top-tier performances and generating discussions about football—even among casual viewers."
"Do you know the current traffic numbers for Lance's topics on Chinese social media?"
"If you don't, I suggest Nike do its homework."
Donald's tone was sharp, his words pointed. He wasn't just negotiating; he was launching a verbal onslaught.
Edwards felt a twinge of frustration.
Of course Nike had done its homework. How could they not?
In just three weeks, discussions about Lance on China's largest social media platform had surpassed one billion views.
Yes, you read that correctly: one billion.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was capitalizing on this surge in popularity, spearheading campaigns to establish the league's foothold in Asia with undeniable conviction.
From one million to one billion, the explosion in numbers underscored a simple truth: the NFL's connection to Asia had been waiting for a player like Lance.
Was Donald's comparison of Lance to Jordan an exaggeration?
Back in the day, Jordan was just a college player with no championships or accolades. Even during the draft, he wasn't the brightest star.
To be blunt, Nike only signed Jordan because Converse had already locked up the first and second picks, leaving Nike no choice but to take a gamble.
Now, Lance might lack professional accolades, but he had already made his mark on the league stage. With three record-breaking performances in as many games, he had ignited a frenzy of discussion.
Edwards knew Donald was right, and it stung because he couldn't refute it.
Donald wasn't concerned with Edwards' frustration. He leaned forward slightly, staring intently at the Nike executive.
"Mr. Edwards, tell me, under the same conditions, how do you think Adidas and Under Armour would respond? If we keep waiting, who will crack first?"
Negotiations are rarely so direct. But Donald threw subtlety out the window, attacking with unrelenting force, throwing Edwards' plans into disarray.
Yet Edwards had to admit, Donald had a point.
Under Armour would agree.
In another week or two, as long as Lance kept winning and maintaining his buzz, Under Armour would likely cave.
Adidas might even swoop in first.
At this point, neither Edwards nor Nike held the upper hand.
Donald didn't need to play by the rules; he could simply sit back and let the competitors battle it out.
But… $10 million annually?
That figure was still absurd.
For context, Nike's contracts with tennis legends Federer and Nadal—the crème de la crème of their sport—had been around $10 million annually.
That was tennis—a solo sport with straightforward marketing and unparalleled visibility. But this was football, a league with nearly 2,000 players.
Nike couldn't justify such recklessness.
If they agreed to such a contract with Lance, every NFL agent would come knocking with equally exorbitant demands. Nike couldn't afford to set this precedent.
However, Edwards stayed calm.
The more aggressive and outrageous Donald's demands, the more they seemed like a diversion. Edwards realized the real proposal was yet to come.
The opening act had been flashy, but now it was time for the main event.
Despite his earlier frustration, Edwards steeled himself, leaning back in his chair and meeting Donald's gaze with the composure of someone who had seen it all.
"I hear you, Mr. Yee."
"I've heard everything you've said. Now, let's get to the real discussion."
His underlying message was clear: the theatrics were over. Let's talk about something feasible.
Donald wasn't surprised. Edwards hadn't climbed to the top of Nike by being easily rattled.
"$2.5 million annually for five years," Donald began. "Additionally, Nike must establish a dedicated product line for Lance, covering shoes, jerseys, hats, socks, and more. Lance will receive 3% of all global sales revenue from the line."
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