Chương 46: Chapter 45: The Kings And The Iron (02/14/1984)

DATE: Tuesday, February 14, 1984 LOCATION: Rancho Santa Fe, California | Del Rayo Estates LOCAL TIME: 10: 00 AM PST The air in Rancho Santa Fe smelled of eucalyptus, wealth, and high-grade equestrian hay. In the sprawling, mahogany-lined private study of Eugene Klein, John E. Patterson sat wearing a three-thousand-dollar bespoke suit. Across from Klein, wearing a Carlsbad High School coaching polo and an easy, disarming smile, sat Doug Tillman.

"I don't usually take meetings with corporate lawyers, Mr. Patterson," Gene Klein's gravelly voice echoed across the study. He sounded like a man whose chest had been cracked open during a massive heart attack three years ago.

"And I'm not looking for silent partners. The Chargers are my team."

"Gene, John here is just the math," Doug said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his knees.

"I'm the reality. I'm just a guy who coaches varsity football up at Carlsbad High. But my parents—Harold and Didi—are absolute horse racing fanatics. They've been talking non-stop about what you're building out here at Del Rayo. They think you're going to win the Kentucky Derby someday." Klein's posture softened.

"A racing family, huh? Well, tell Harold I'm working on it. You coach at Carlsbad, Doug? You're the guy with that mermaid movie everyone in town is talking about." Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"That pays the mortgage," Doug smiled.

"But football is the blood. Willie Buchanon and I have been friends since high school. When you brought him back to San Diego to play for you in '79, it meant the world to this county."

"Willie is a good man," Klein nodded.

"A hell of a corner."

"He is," Doug agreed.

"And Willie told me how much you loved this franchise, Gene. But he also told me how much it aged you. The USFL is engaged in a bidding war. Steve Young just signed for forty million dollars. We both know managing a franchise through a labor war is a cardiovascular nightmare. You survived a massive coronary event three years ago, Gene. The NFL is going to put you in the ground. Del Rayo and the horses will let you live." Patterson stepped seamlessly into the opening.

"Archstone Capital is prepared to offer you thirty-five million dollars in liquid, untraceable corporate cash for your 60 percent majority stake in the San Diego Chargers," Patterson stated.

"However, we want zero voting rights. You retain absolute majority control and the public face of the franchise."

"Thirty-five million for a non-voting majority stake?" Klein asked.

"What's the catch?"

"We want you to continue to be the face of the team for the remainder of your natural life," Patterson said.

"However, upon your death, Doug Tillman will be the new owner, and we will purchase the remaining 15 percent of the team from your estate." Patterson opened his briefcase and slid a heavy document across the desk.

"This is a binding Letter of Intent. It secures exclusivity for Archstone. Attached is a wire transfer authorization for a non-refundable, five-million-dollar earnest deposit to be moved into your Del Rayo accounts by close of business today."

"Take the money, Gene," Doug said quietly.

"Go buy those horses. Let us worry about the concrete." Klein let out a long, heavy exhale and picked up the fountain pen. San Diego was secure.