April 10, Boston, Four Seasons Hotel rooftop ballroom.
With three games remaining in the regular season, Boston's sports media initially thought the Celtics were holding this high-profile press conference to motivate the team for the playoffs or to make a final official statement regarding the much-discussed MVP award.
But when the curtain rose, reporters discovered that sitting in the center of the stage was not head coach Rick Carlisle, nor Garnett or Pierce, but the team's president of basketball operations— Lin Qi.
To the outside world and the media, Lin Qi was a "genius executive and minority owner" who was rewarded with 5% of the team's shares by a mysterious consortium for his contributions to the team's development. All the professional managers in the league were extremely envious of his president's contract with equity incentives, but no one knew that the "mysterious consortium" that controlled the Celtics through layers of trusts in the Cayman Islands was actually Lin Qi himself.
Sitting next to Lin Qi was a young female lawyer with a sophisticated and aloof demeanor, dressed in a dark blue haute couture business suit.
"Ladies and gentlemen, before the playoffs officially begin, I'd like to talk to you about Boston's future."
Lin Qi's voice was steady and penetrating. He stood up, walked to the side of the stage, and personally tore off a piece of red velvet curtain covering the huge sand table.
Flashes of light erupted like a waterfall, illuminating the miniature model of the sprawling, modernist architectural complex.
"This is the Celtics' future home – the Brighton Sports and Commercial Complex Project."
Lin Qi pointed at the sand table and calmly dropped a bombshell that was enough to shake the entire American sports world.
In 2001, most NBA teams were still crammed into old gyms at local universities for daily training, or, like Boston today, renting dilapidated training facilities where even the shower pipes were rusty. In Dallas, Mark Cuban had just replaced the bench with expensive ergonomic chairs and custom towels, and was already being hailed by the media as "the best owner in the league."
What Lin Qi showcased was a super independent kingdom spanning a full 120 acres.
"Last season, I often heard players complaining in the locker room that when their wives came to visit, they had to stand in the cold hallway with the leaky ice machine." Lin Qi smiled, and the reporters in the audience laughed good-naturedly, everyone knowing that he was teasing Doc Doug Christie's tough wife, Jackie.
"This will never happen in Boston again."
Lin Qi's fingers traced the core area of the model. "In this 25-acre core area, we will build the nation's premier two-story training facility. In addition to three standard full-size NBA hardwood floors, we will also set up a dedicated lounge area of over 10,000 square feet for players' families, including a private restaurant, an indoor children's playground, and a lounge with river views."
"But that's far from enough." Lin Qi's tone turned serious, revealing a vision two decades ahead of its time. "On the south side of the core area, we will partner with the best medical institutions in Massachusetts to establish the nation's first ' Sports Science and Medical Center ' specifically for professional athletes."
The Boston Globe reporter in the audience stared in astonishment. In 2001, the term "sports science" was still extremely obscure, and most teams' understanding of injuries was still at a rudimentary stage, limited to "ice packs and injections."
"This medical center will not only be equipped with state-of-the-art underwater rehabilitation treadmills and liquid nitrogen cryotherapy rooms, but we will also establish a biomechanics laboratory to precisely analyze the force angles of players' jumps and landings." Looking at the cameras below the stage, Lin Qi uttered the words that would make all the league's stars envious, "We not only want to treat injuries, but we also want to use cutting-edge science to extend the careers of those great players."
The only sound in the banquet hall was the frantic clicking of camera shutters.
All the reporters gasped inwardly. If this facility were truly built, all the teams in the league still using dilapidated facilities from the last century would be like amateurs compared to Boston! Which free agent, after visiting this place, would still want to play in any other city?
"Mr. Lin Qi!" The ESPN reporter stood up excitedly. "This project sounds incredible! But land approvals in Boston are extremely complicated, and integrating the old Brighton factory area is an even bigger undertaking. When is this massive project expected to be completed?"
"Good question. Construction in Boston certainly requires an extremely specialized team. Especially integrating the 120 acres of bankrupt land belonging to ' Federal Industrial Company,' which involves complex debt settlement and city council procedures."
Lin Qi turned around and reached out his hand to Beth, who was sitting on one side of the stage and maintained a professional smile.
"Therefore, I must publicly express the Celtics's sincerest gratitude to one person here." Lin Qi's gaze fell on Beth. "Without Ms. Finneran. Beth Finnellon and her top-notch legal team, this plan would still be just talk. It was her impeccable professionalism that helped us successfully advance the project."
Beth, not yet thirty, stood up amidst countless flashing lights and gracefully nodded to the media.
"As for the timetable," Lin Qi looked at the reporter and gave an extremely pragmatic and meticulous promise, "Construction will begin early next month. All main buildings and core facilities will be officially delivered and put into use in the summer of 2003."
As soon as the press conference ended, major sports networks and television stations across the United States were immediately abuzz. Cuban, watching the news in Dallas, nodded repeatedly with excitement. Meanwhile, New York Knicks owner Dolan immediately summoned his assistant and demanded a reassessment of the team's training facilities.
Lin Qi forcefully raised the bar for this arms race off the field.
An hour later, in the VIP lounge of the Four Seasons Hotel.
The noisy media had been diverted to the banquet area by the PR team, leaving only Lin Qi and Beth in the lounge.
Beth stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the dazzling Boston nightscape. She held a glass of champagne in her hand, and her deep blue haute couture suit perfectly accentuated her stunning figure.
"Just now on stage, all the spotlights suddenly shone on me. This wasn't part of our planned PR process, President Lin Qi." Beth turned around, gently swirling her wine glass, looking at the man sitting on the sofa with a half-smile.
"The best real estate lawyers in Boston shouldn't always be hiding behind the scenes dealing with city councilors," Lin Qi said, loosening his tie and speaking casually. "You need a big enough stage for the entire New England financial community to know you."
Beth walked to the sofa and looked down at Lin Qi.
"Putting me in the spotlight and making my name famous in Boston... are you paying my legal fees in advance, or are you putting a tight rein on me for those huge legal contracts in the commercial and residential areas to come?"
"I just think it's such a waste that someone as talented as you is being overlooked."
Lin Qi leaned forward slightly, his gaze passing over the champagne in her hand and landing on a silver corner peeking out of the inside pocket of her coat—the antique 1920s name card holder he had given her on the Charles River.
"It seems you're quite satisfied with my gift, taking it everywhere you go." Lin Qi raised an eyebrow slightly.
Beth followed his gaze and glanced down. Without trying to hide it, she calmly took out the business card holder and placed it on the coffee table, making a crisp metallic clinking sound.
"The workmanship is indeed excellent. It's perfect for holding the business cards handed to those builders who are intimidated by your grand plans." Beth sat down on the single sofa opposite Lin Qi, her legs elegantly crossed. "But seriously, Lin Qi, that ' Sports Science and Medical Center ' you were describing on stage just now... is that a real investment, or just a gimmick to inflate the property prices of those dozens of acres of surrounding residential areas?"
"Huh? Is that the kind of person you think of me? If that's what you think, you really underestimate me."
Lin Qi picked up his glass of iced water and took a sip. "In competitive sports, superstars are a team's most valuable asset. In a few years, when other teams' star players are hampered by injuries, this group in Boston will still be at their peak. At that time, the entire league will understand the value of this training facility."
Beth looked at him. Lin Qi was only a few years older than her, yet he possessed a foresight that seemed to transcend industry cycles...
She put down her wine glass and leaned forward slightly. "So, Mr. Lin Qi, you've got the land in Brighton, the contract's signed, and even I, your lawyer, am making headlines across the country. Is there anything else you want in Boston that you haven't gotten yet?"
Lin Qi looked away from her face and remained silent for two or three seconds, as if he were seriously considering a question.
"Of course," he finally spoke, his voice lowering slightly, "But... just like this project won't be delivered until 2003, some things can't be rushed."
He glanced at her, his eyes holding a hint of a smile, but not quite a smile.
Beth's heart skipped a beat.
She picked up her glass and took a sip, using this gesture to shift her gaze away from his face. "Then you'd better pray your project doesn't fall behind schedule."
Lin Qi smiled, straightened up, and adjusted his suit collar.
"Let's go, my great lawyer." Lin Qi gestured towards the door with his chin. "The dinner is about to begin."