Lin Qi did not rush to answer the question.
He pulled a silver cigarette case from the inside pocket of his suit, took out a cigarette and put it between his lips, raised an eyebrow slightly, and looked over the large walnut wood desk, silently seeking the opinion of the alliance president.
In this office, which symbolizes the highest authority in the NBA, the gesture itself is a highly aggressive probing.
Stern stared at him for two seconds, then nodded expressionlessly.
Click.
A faint blue flame rose from the lighter. Lin Qi took a deep breath, and the bluish-gray smoke gradually dissipated between the two of them.
"First, Mr. Stern, I want to clarify one point," Lin Qi said, resting his cigarette on the armrest of the leather chair and leaning slightly forward. "In this room, your interests and mine are absolutely aligned."
Stern didn't reply, only coldly scrutinizing him with his deep eyes.
"I am your most steadfast strategic ally." Lin Qi flicked his cigarette ash. "I signed Wang Zhizhi, allowing the NBA to historically open the door to that Far East market with over a billion people. I went on a tour of exhibition games in Europe, paving the way for the league's internationalization strategy. I'm helping you expand your territory, Mr. Commissioner. I'm helping you grow the league's scale."
Stern narrowed his eyes slightly. Lin Qi was right; Boston was indeed ahead of all other teams in the league's globalization strategy, which gave Stern a lot of confidence when dealing with broadcasters. This was quite a favor.
"But now..." Lin Qi's tone abruptly shifted, becoming extremely cold, " Tim Donaghy and the underground betting companies behind him are infringing on our shared core interests. He's made the fairness of the game a joke and pushed the league's commercial reputation to the brink of collapse. This is an unbearable loss for both of us."
Stern nodded slightly, his eyes still wary. He knew that the groundwork was laid and the real reveal was about to come.
"So I'm sitting here today," Lin Qi, staring intently into Stern's eyes, his tone suddenly becoming more forceful, "To help you, to help the Alliance clear the minefield and prevent similar incidents from happening again. But before we discuss specific remedial measures, I have a condition."
What are the prerequisites?
"In the upcoming playoffs, the Boston Celtics must be in an environment of absolutely fair officiating."
The words weren't spoken loudly, but they instantly chilled the air in the office.
"If the league continues to tolerate Donaghy, or allows other referees to target my team on a mission," Lin Qi's gaze swept across Stern's face like a blade, "In order to minimize the damage, the evidence and recordings in my briefcase may have to be sent untouched to the FBI and the editorial department of the New York Times."
He took a deep drag of his cigarette, his tone returning to calm. "I share your extreme aversion to this lose-lose situation. But only if you don't push me to flip the table."
Stern narrowed his eyes and stared at Lin Qi.
This was, of course, a blatant threat, but Lin Qi's rhetoric was extremely skillful... He transformed "extortion" into a "suggestion" for protecting their common interests.
Stern leaned back in his chair and remained silent for a full half minute.
Finally, the iron-fisted commissioner nodded slightly. "Fair officiating is the foundation of the league's business. In the upcoming playoffs, I will have the head of the referees' union personally oversee every game. If any referee shows any sign of wrongdoing, that referee will immediately take off his uniform and leave."
Lin Qi nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you for your rationality, Mr. President."
Stern waved his hand, his gaze sharp as he cut to the chase. "The bottom line is drawn. Now, discuss your solutions."
Lin Qi stubbed out his cigarette, pulled a second document from his briefcase, and slid it across the smooth tabletop.
"To completely eradicate the Donaghy incident, the league needs a systematic, bottom-level oversight mechanism." Lin Qi's tone instantly switched to cold, professional business logic. "Every referee's call, fluctuations in the home and away teams' winning percentages, the frequency of controversial calls, combined with changes in Las Vegas odds... all this data must be tracked and modeled in real time. Once a statistically significant anomaly occurs, the system will directly trigger a red alert to your office."
Stern took the document and glanced at it, admitting its professionalism. "The logic is perfect. But the alliance's data center doesn't currently possess this level of modeling capability."
"So I'll provide the underlying technical support." Lin Qi finally unleashed his trump card, "My data company has already run this referee monitoring model successfully. But if this system only belongs to the Celtics, the other teams in the league will never buy it."
Stern's eyes narrowed. "You want the league to spend money to acquire your company?"
"No, it's a restructuring." Lin Qi pointed to the equity structure diagram on the document. "I will split up and restructure this data company. I will personally retain less than 30% of the shares, and put 19% into an option pool for the core technology team."
He looked up at Stern and offered a huge bargaining chip that the other party simply couldn't refuse. "The remaining 51% will be directly controlled by the NBA."
Stern's eyebrows shot up sharply. He had thought Lin Qi was trying to take advantage of the situation, but he hadn't expected the other party to relinquish absolute control so readily!
"The alliance holds 51% of the shares?"
"That's right." Lin Qi interlaced his fingers. "In this way, the company will no longer be my personal property, but a truly independent third-party regulatory body belonging to the Alliance. The Alliance can directly participate in decision-making and conduct audits at any time. More importantly, this will allow you to deliver a perfect 'digital reform' achievement when facing those demanding bosses on the board."
Stern fell silent.
Ordinary people might not understand it, but it is an extremely ruthless "top-level open conspiracy".
On the surface, the league seems to have gotten a huge advantage, acquiring the coveted monitoring tools and a controlling stake in a promising technology company. But in reality, Lin Qi effortlessly infiltrated the NBA's power structure. He not only obtained the "official partner" status, but also naturally and completely legally gained control of the underlying data of all teams in the league, essentially gaining full map vision on the battlefield.
This was an extremely clever exchange of interests.
But Stern knew very well that these alone would not satisfy the appetite of this Wall Street hunter.
"Besides the data company, is there anything else you'd like to say?" Stern cut to the chase.
Here it comes. Lin Qi took a deep breath and delivered his final and most crucial request.
" The Celtics will release an official personnel statement after this season ends."
"About what?"
"Given the excellent management this season, my next 'President of Basketball Operations' contract will include a 5% equity incentive with the team." Lin Qi paused, then offered a very persuasive example, "During the All-Star Game, New York Knicks owner Dolan openly tried to poach me with a 5% equity stake; this was common knowledge throughout the league."
Stern's gaze instantly became extremely intriguing.
Lin Qi pressed on. "My official title will officially change to 'Partial Owner and President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics.' With Dolan's offer as a backing, this 5% equity incentive becomes a standard business practice for retaining top executives. It won't cause excessive panic among those xenophobic old-money families in New England, and it will allow me to legitimately obtain my entry ticket."
He looked directly at Stern: "I hope that the release of this statement will not encounter any resistance from league headquarters. Furthermore, I request to formally join the NBA Board of Governors in this capacity."
The office fell silent again for a long time.
Stern saw through Lin Qi's elaborate scheme completely.
Lin Qi used Dolan's public recruitment as the perfect cover to push himself out from behind the scenes and into the spotlight, becoming a real player at the table.
He used the gambling scandal as a weapon and the data company's equity as a carrot to smash open a door to power that was originally closed to people of Asian descent.
Stern picked up the restructuring plan again and scrutinized Lin Qi for a long time with a complicated expression.
"I agree in principle, but I have three conditions." Stern raised a finger, regaining his unyielding, iron-fisted aura.
"Speaking."
"First, the evidence must be physically destroyed." Stern's gaze was piercing. "Once the agreement is reached, all the originals, recordings, and investigation drafts in your bag must be handed over to me. You cannot keep even a single copy."
"Sure, I won't keep a backup." Lin Qi replied without hesitation.
Stern nodded. "Secondly, the restructuring and valuation of the data company must undergo extremely rigorous due diligence by the alliance's legal and financial teams."
"Standard business procedures; my accounting team will fully cooperate."
"The third condition, and the most crucial one," Stern leaned forward, slamming his hands heavily on the table, "I can give you the green light at the league level; you can join the board as a minority shareholder and participate in roundtables. But... for the next five years, on core decisions concerning the collective bargaining agreement and broadcasting rights revenue sharing, you'll only have the right to observe, not the right to vote."
Lin Qi frowned slightly. "Bound by the charter?"
"It's not just the charter; it's my way of appeasing those conservative old-money types," Stern coldly punctured the truth. "Forcing a young Asian like you into that old boys' club is already my limit. The five-year probationary period is the time cost you have to pay."
"Acceptable." Lin Qi made the decision decisively.
Stern's tense jawline finally relaxed a little. He stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, turned his back to Lin Qi, and looked down at the bustling Manhattan skyline.
"One last thing, Lin Qi," Stern said in a low voice without turning around, " Donaghy's affair must remain a secret from you. Not even your head coach or players can divulge a single word."
" Rasheed Wallace is a direct victim," Lin Qi insisted. "I have to reassure my players."
Stern turned around, paused for a moment, and then compromised. "You can tell him the problem is solved, but you absolutely cannot reveal too many details. If he dares to utter a single word in front of the media, I will make Boston pay a heavy price."
"Clear."
Stern walked back to the table and solemnly extended his right hand.
"I will immediately initiate an internal purge and secretly involve the FBI. Donaghy will be spending a long time in federal prison." Stern gripped Lin Qi's hand tightly. "At the board meeting before the next fiscal year, I will personally announce the Celtics ' ownership change for next season. From that day on, you will be a true partner in this league. After that, you can attend board meetings."
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. President."
After letting go, Stern looked at Lin Qi, who was about to leave, and a rare hint of emotion flashed in his eyes.
"Mr. Lin Qi," Stern began slowly, "I expect that Boston, under your control, will produce some interesting developments."
Lin Qi had already turned around to leave when he heard these words, and he stopped in his tracks.
He turned around and looked at the iron-fisted president who had ruled the league for over a decade.
"What if this commotion gets too big?" Lin Qi's tone was ambiguous, but his eyes were extremely sharp. "What if in the future I turn Boston into a dominant monster, breaking the competitive balance you've painstakingly maintained, forcing you to personally deal with me?"
Stern paused for a moment, slightly taken aback.
Without pausing, Lin Qi boldly laid bare those unspoken "unwritten rules" of the league. "For example, for the sake of so-called 'basketball reasons,' forcibly vetoing one of my core trades? Or rigging the draft lottery behind the scenes, mysteriously reducing the high pick I acquired at great expense?"
Upon hearing these words, Stern was first taken aback, then suddenly burst into laughter.
Hahahaha...
This was the first time Stern had let out such unrestrained laughter, even with a hint of condescension, since Lin Qi had entered the office. The laughter echoed in the spacious upper-level office, revealing the all-knowing clarity of a top trader.
" Lin Qi, you have quite the imagination." Stern stopped laughing, pointed at Lin Qi with his index finger, and his eyes regained their cold and deep expression. "But you're still too young. In this league, the greatest sin is never 'breaking the balance,' but 'not making money.'"
Stern walked to the large desk, placed his hands on the surface like an old lion surveying its territory. "As long as you can continue to help me tap into a bigger market, as long as the Boston games make the TV broadcasters a fortune, even if you win ten consecutive championships, I will still be smiling and embracing you on the podium."
"But if..." Stern's tone shifted, revealing undisguised coldness, "You really drive the other bosses to the brink, harming the overall interests of this alliance... then as president, I will certainly use every means at my disposal to punish you. After all, I work for all the bosses, not just for you."
Upon hearing these words, Lin Qi was not angry at all. Instead, he straightened the hem of his suit jacket and a cold, confident smile appeared on his lips.
"Very fair business logic." Lin Qi looked directly at Stern. "Then I can only try my best to ensure that Boston can generate as much profit as possible for you and the league..."
"I'll wait and see," Stern said with a smile.
Lin Qi turned around and walked towards the door. But when his hand touched the heavy brass doorknob, he suddenly stopped.
He turned his face slightly to the side.
"Mr. President," Lin Qi's voice rang out in the empty office, casual yet carrying undeniable weight, "I think I can confidently say that you owe me a favor now?"
Stern did not answer immediately.
His gaze slowly descended, landing on the investigation report on the table—a report powerful enough to destroy the entire alliance's reputation. He knew better than anyone how devastating this storm would be if the person sitting opposite him today were an uncontrollable madman.
A moment later, Stern looked up at Lin Qi's retreating figure.
"You can think of it that way, Lin Qi," Stern's voice was deep and steady. "I've got it."
At 12:30 pm, Lin Qi pushed open the revolving door of the Olympic Tower.
The sunlight in Midtown Manhattan was a bit blinding, the streets Malone, and the air was filled with the smell of car exhaust and the aroma of hot dogs from street corner stands.
Lin Qi stood on the corner of Fifth Avenue, took out his phone, and dialed his assistant's number.
Book the next available flight back to Boston.
"Okay, boss. How did the negotiations in New York go?"
Lin Qi glanced back at the skyscraper that symbolized the Alliance's highest power, a cold and confident smile playing on his lips.
"Very smoothly."