In mid-October in Boston, the autumn wind already carried a biting chill.
There are less than two weeks left until the new season opener and the championship ring presentation ceremony.
However, Lin Qi's application to acquire the Celtics outright through a "left-hand to right-hand" transfer was stalled at the NBA headquarters' " Team Ownership Change Committee ".
In Lin Qi Capital's office, top M&A lawyer Richard sat across from the desk with a serious expression.
"Boss, there are no problems with the legal procedures and tax documentation. The source of your more than $300 million is clean; I've already submitted the tax payment certificates to the Federal Tax Bureau." Richard said with a hint of helplessness, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. "But the problem lies with those 'old money' families on the board."
"Are they delaying the approval process?" Lin Qi asked without looking up, flipping through the new season rotation roster submitted by Rick Carlisle.
Richard gave a wry smile, "Boss, the reason we were able to take control of the Celtics so easily last time using an offshore shell company was because former owner Chris Paul Gaston was embroiled in a public relations crisis. The league was eager to quell the scandal, and you also managed to get a bunch of Hollywood stars and Boston legends to endorse you, creating a lot of buzz. David Stern, for the sake of the league's image, took the opportunity to give you special permission."
"But things are different now. Without the pressure of a public relations crisis, those bosses have plenty of time to nitpick. They're conducting what they call a 'moral background check' on you."
Richard lowered his voice. "The board, by using the Internal Revenue Service's tax filing deadline, has reversed your trading history. Now, LeBron James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks, is frantically rallying other conservative owners to spread rumors in the committee that your huge sum of cash was earned during the stock market turmoil before and after the national disaster in September."
"They claim you're profiting from the national crisis. Although the transaction is entirely legal, in the current social climate, officially making someone like you, a 'cold-blooded Wall Street speculator,' the team's owner would seriously damage the league's public image."
Hearing this, Lin Qi finally put down the documents in his hand.
"Profiteering from national disaster? These old fogies who only know how to collect rent from their ancestors' inheritance, don't they even understand the most basic financial common sense?" Lin Qi leaned back in his chair, his eyes cold and sharp. "Go tell those high and mighty moral guardians that when the market crashed in mid-September and liquidity completely dried up, it was those white elites on Wall Street who were frantically shorting the market, while I, poured four billion yuan of real money into going long!"
"When everyone was desperately selling, I was providing precious liquidity to this collapsing market, saving United States ' retirement accounts! I even paid a whopping $200 million in top-tier federal taxes for this! If this isn't a moral exemplar, what is?"
Richard wiped the cold sweat from his brow. "Your logic is absolutely heroic on Wall Street. But boss... we all know that the so-called 'ethical review' is just an excuse."
Lin Qi sneered.
He knew perfectly well that in this "old boys' club" absolutely dominated by wealthy white men, they could tolerate a young Asian face as a high-earning "high-level employee" or a shadowy operator hiding behind an offshore company. But when this outcast was about to completely shed his disguise, carrying hundreds of millions of dollars in clean, legal cash, and sitting squarely at that round table, even going so far as to surpass them in terms of competitive achievements, his deep-seated arrogance and prejudice would erupt uncontrollably.
They dare not openly engage in racial discrimination, because that would invite huge lawsuits and public backlash. So they can only use the high-sounding fig leaf of "moral censorship" to disgust people and try to keep Lin Qi out forever.
" Dolan? That spendthrift son who made a mess of the Knicks, does he even have the right to judge my morality?" Lin Qi straightened his suit cuffs, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. "Since they insist on playing these hypocritical tricks... I have a way to deal with it."
" Richard, you can go out now."
After the lawyer left the office, Lin Qi glanced at his watch. It was 2 PM New York time.
He picked up the encrypted landline on the table and skillfully dialed a number that went directly to the top floor of the Olympic Tower in Manhattan.
The phone was answered after ringing three times.
"This is David Stern," came the deep, authoritative voice of the league president from the other end of the phone.
Good afternoon, Mr. President. I am Lin Qi.
Stern was clearly not surprised to receive the call, " Lin Qi, if you're calling about the team acquisition approval, I have to tell you, I've indeed encountered some resistance. Dolan and several other owners are taking a hard line. While your funding sources are legal, your earning power during this sensitive period has certainly made some old-school owners... uncomfortable."
"Is it because of my efficiency in making money, or because Dolan thinks my yellow-skinned face is unworthy to sit at their so-called high-society table?"
Lin Qi incisively pierced through the veneer of hypocrisy. His tone carried the candor of a friend discussing interests. "Mr. President, we all know that so-called 'ethical vetting' is nothing but a fig leaf to cover up their racial prejudice and incompetence. I was a market savior who entered the market to buy when it was at its most panicked, not a vulture. You know this better than anyone else."
"I know it's useless; I need the bosses' approval first." Stern sighed, his tone revealing his helplessness towards Dolan and his gang.
On the other end of the phone, Lin Qi took a deep breath.
" David, let's be frank." Lin Qi leaned forward slightly, gazing into the distance through the floor-to-ceiling window. " The Boston Celtics are not only a legendary team that achieved a three-peat, but also the league's current ratings lifeline. I single-handedly boosted box office revenue and helped the league open doors to Asia and Europe. On both the competitive and commercial fronts, I did better than any of them; I made the whole picture bigger."
"As the architect of this dynasty, I deserve the highest level of respect in this league. Why should a piece of trash like Dolan, who can't even sell playoff tickets, try to trip me up behind my back?"
Lin Qi paused, his tone becoming extremely serious, and played his last trump card. "Besides, do you remember? Right in your office, I personally handed you a 'time bomb' that could completely destroy the league's reputation. I saved the league's face for you, and I kept that referee scandal completely buried inside."
The breathing on the other end of the phone visibly paused for a moment.
"You said it yourself that day, you owe me a favor." Lin Qi's voice regained its calmness, carrying a hint of candor between allies. " David, I'm going to pay that now. Give me the ticket; it's what you owe me, David."
The top floor of the Olympic Tower.
Stern sat behind his large walnut desk, his brow slightly raised. He certainly remembered it; Tim Donaghy's betting scandal was the biggest crisis of his tenure. Lin Qi not only took the fall for him but also provided him with a perfect referee monitoring system.
Then, Stern let out a soft laugh through the receiver, a laugh that was both helpless and appreciative.
As a pragmatic business Wizards, he actually despised Dolan and his gang of incompetent and disastrous "old money" more than anyone else. Lin Qi was indeed an unruly maverick, but he gave far too much. Lin Qi's words provided Stern with the perfect excuse to shut up the racist board members.
"I will be holding an emergency board meeting at 4 p. m. today." Stern's undeniable iron-fisted aura carried over the radio waves; this time, he was completely on Lin Qi's side.
"I will personally explain to the board and give you official endorsement. Lin Qi Capital's market operations in September were a 'market rescue' measure to provide liquidity to the market during a crisis. It was not only completely legal but also highly ethical. Anyone who tries to use this to their advantage is going against me."
Stern paused, then continued, "Not only that, I will deliver your exact words to Dolan. I will make him understand that whether it's the Boston Dynasty you built or your sweeping market expansion in Europe, you are genuinely raising the commercial value of the entire NBA. Turning your back on money is the greatest moral depravity in this league."
"Be patient. The official approval for the change of ownership of the team will arrive on your desk in a few days."
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. President." A satisfied smile finally appeared on Lin Qi's lips.
" Lin Qi," Stern added meaningfully before hanging up, "I've repaid your favor. From the opening game onwards, you've been a true partner in this league. At the roundtable, no one will treat you as a proxy anymore."
"Thanks."
Lin Qi hung up the phone.