Bill stood there, his eyes still locked on the deal in his hands. He could hardly believe it. For months now, he had been going back and forth with Coca-Cola, meticulously negotiating every detail. The initial deal they had proposed was solid—a figure that had initially excited him. $10 million for three years, which worked out to about $3.5 million per year.
It was an impressive offer, no doubt, and when Bill had first heard it, he had been thrilled. It was more than anyone else had anticipated for a newcomer like Ethan. However, Bill's ambitions had always been set higher. He wasn't one to settle, not when he believed Ethan had the potential to do far more, to be far more. And now, as he stood there, staring at the revised offer in his hands, Bill could feel the weight of the moment. His pulse quickened, the numbers dancing before his eyes. This was it. The opportunity had finally arrived.
The new deal had practically doubled. The figures in front of him were astounding. $18 million for three years—$6 million per year for Ethan to simply take pictures, make appearances, and promote the brand. It wasn't just a good deal; it was extraordinary. For someone like Ethan, who had only just started seriously in the industry, this offer was beyond incredible. It was the kind of deal that could elevate his career to new heights. Bill could barely contain his excitement. This was the kind of deal that could set Ethan up for life, that could reshape his future in ways they had only dreamed about when they first started.
But it wasn't just Ethan who stood to gain. Bill had negotiated a 10 percent commission on Ethan's earnings, which meant that he would personally be taking home a whopping $600,000 every year. Over the course of three years, that added up to a staggering $1.8 million for Bill himself. As he ran the numbers over and over in his head, it almost felt surreal. It wasn't just a good deal—it was one of the best deals he'd ever been a part of. He'd worked hard for this, pushed every boundary, bent every rule, and now the rewards were pouring in.
But as Bill stood there, feeling the rush of excitement and anticipation, something shifted within him. His emotions were high, his mind racing with the numbers, but his instincts kicked in. He wasn't just looking at the deal anymore; he was looking at the bigger picture. Bill's gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of the people around him. There was a shift in the atmosphere, a sense of calm determination settling over him. He was no longer just the excited agent; he was the strategist, the mastermind behind it all.
Then, with the confidence of a man who had played this game for years, Bill spoke. "NO."
The room fell into an eerie silence. For a moment, there was only the sound of rustling paper as everyone froze, unsure of what had just happened. Derrick Langston, the Chief Marketing Officer, couldn't believe his ears. His mouth dropped open, and he leaned forward, trying to process what Bill had just said. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he blinked rapidly, looking around the room as if waiting for someone to confirm this was some kind of joke.
"Excuse me?" Derrick asked, his voice laced with confusion, a hint of frustration creeping in. His eyes darted around the room, seeking some explanation for Bill's unexpected response. The shock was written all over the faces of the others. Even Lisa, Bill's trusted assistant, looked completely stunned. Her eyes widened, and she quickly glanced at Bill, her brow furrowed with uncertainty. Everyone in the room was confused, waiting for Bill to elaborate.
Derrick, who was the first to break the silence, couldn't hide his disbelief. "Mr. Miller, this deal is already so good. Ethan would be one of our highest-paid endorsements for a newbie in the industry. This is monumental!" His tone was a mixture of disbelief and frustration, as if he couldn't understand why Bill would reject such a lucrative offer. He leaned back in his chair, clearly struggling to comprehend Bill's rationale. It was an incredible deal. For anyone else, it would have been a no-brainer.
But before anyone could respond, Bill's voice cut through the tension, calm but resolute. "Taylor Swift: $10 million per year for two years, totaling $20 million. Tiger Woods: $8 million per year for five years, $40 million in total. Beyoncé: $50 million for four years. Serena Williams: $11 million per year for five years, totaling $55 million. Britney Spears: $8 million for one year. LeBron James: $12.86 million per year for seven years, earning $90 million."
Bill's voice filled the room, echoing off the walls as everyone listened intently. As he recited the numbers, Derrick's face began to change. His expression shifted from one of confusion to one of realization. His frown deepened as it clicked—Bill wasn't just rejecting the offer because it wasn't good enough. He was aiming for something more.
When Bill stopped speaking, the room was quiet. Derrick's initial disbelief morphed into a frown of understanding. He had caught on to Bill's point, but the room remained still, awaiting his next words.
"These are some of the biggest debut endorsements in the industry," Bill said resolutely, his voice firm and unwavering. "Their deals were all easily double what we're being offered now"
Derrick, now understanding where Bill was coming from, leaned forward and addressed him directly. "Yes, but like you said, don't you hear the names you just called? Taylor, Tiger Woods, Beyoncé, Serena, LeBron James—all legends in their own right. Lifetime superstars. Even if it was their debut, they had already shown their legendary status. LeBron, first draft pick. Tiger Woods, multiple victories at the Opens. Beyoncé, a cultural icon from Destiny's Child. These are international legends, and they proved why they earned those deals. It's wrong to compare Ethan to them."
Derrick's words hung in the air, and the room fell silent again. The tension was palpable as everyone in the room took in his reasoning. Whispers began to ripple through the group.
"Yes, it's wrong to compare Ethan to them."
"I mean, this is King James and Queen B we're talking about. We can't possibly use that as a benchmark in judging."
"Yes, Mr. Miller, your entire basis is flawed."
The murmurs grew louder as more people chimed in, agreeing with Derrick. They looked at Bill with raised eyebrows, as if expecting him to back down. But Bill, standing firm, simply nodded, acknowledging their point.
"Yes, you guys are right," Bill said, his voice calm but knowing. "I was wrong to even make that comparison."
The shift in Bill's tone didn't go unnoticed. Lisa, who had been silent throughout the meeting, looked at him closely, her sharp gaze catching the subtle change. The others in the room, seeing Bill's admission, began to nod in agreement, relieved to see that Bill was coming around to their way of thinking.
"Yes, Mr. Miller," one of them said, "I'm glad you've come to your senses."
"Yes, comparing Ethan to those legends was just wrong," another chimed in, as the room started to settle into a sense of agreement.
Derrick, hearing Bill's admission and the support from his team, couldn't help but flash a relieved smile. His voice lightened, almost teasing as he said, "Yes, Mr. Miller, you scared me there for a second. Now, how about we have Raymond follow you guys to where Ethan is so we can give him the good news and get this show on the road?"
Bill smiled back, his expression still composed but with a hint of satisfaction. However, Lisa could see something behind his eyes—a flicker of determination that suggested Bill was far from finished. The meeting had taken a turn, but it wasn't over. Bill had played his hand, and now he was preparing for the next move.
Lisa, sensing Bill's shift, gave him a knowing look. She had been working with him for years and knew that Bill wasn't done yet. There was still more to come.
Bill, who had been listening to everyone talk about how Ethan wasn't worth the deal he was asking for, felt a spark ignite inside him. The weight of their words had settled in, but it wasn't enough to deter him. In fact, it had done the opposite. Now, more than ever, he was determined. He wasn't just looking to match those legendary deals; he wanted to surpass them. He wanted Ethan to be the name on everyone's lips.
Bill allowed a grin to spread across his face. He let the room think they had won, that he had been convinced. He wasn't going to fight them on the comparisons anymore. But his tone grew quiet, yet firm, as he made his final statement. "Yes, you guys are correct—Ethan Jones can't be compared to those people."
The room nodded, satisfied with the admission.
Bill's voice grew quieter, more intense. "He absolutely destroys them."
And with that, Bill knew the battle wasn't over. It had only just begun.