“Oh my God, yes!” She jumped up from her seat, eager for the opportunity to check out the new place firsthand, doing her best not to flinch at the shock of slight pain between her legs. No, she wouldn’t be forgetting Ethan any time soon.
A little while later, she was wearing a hard hat and walking alongside Ian, touring the first level of the stadium. He pointed out where the concession stands would be, the VIP ticket sales office, and the restrooms. But those things were in any stadium and they weren’t Ian’s pride and joy.
As he began to speak and point out what was to come, she saw the light in his eyes, unparalleled except when he spoke to or of his pregnant wife, Riley, and his children, Rainey, now four, and Jack, the baby.
He walked her out to the field and began gesturing as he spoke. “Spectators will stand twenty-four feet closer to the field than at the old stadium,” he began. “There will be four high-definition video boards on the corners of the upper decks to enhance fan experience, and get this. Two thousand flat-screen monitors spanning the stadium so fans don’t miss the action.”
“What about suites?” she asked, knowing that was how her father had taken them to football games. No nosebleed seats for the Dares.
“Two hundred and forty modernized, state-of-the-art suites. And for the fans in the stands? Canopy shading for ninety-two percent of the people who come to see the games,” he said proudly.
Sienna grinned. “Speaking of fans and fan experience, have you considered a fan suite? You could auction off the ability to have everyday people come, along with, of course, those who can pay. And for those who can’t afford it, you can have an online app that accesses the room. Computer terminals for fantasy football.”
Ian paused, turning to look at her, caught up in what she was saying.
Emboldened, she went on. “You can hire a company that designs apps to provide a virtual fan experience, installing cameras and digital technology that enable someone to be a player for the day.”
He blinked. “Holy shit, Sienna. You’re brilliant.”
She blushed at the compliment. “I’m just tapping into my age group and what I think people would want while thinking of the marketing standpoint for you.”
He grasped her arm and led her away from where there was noisy construction. “I remember when you and Avery put together parties for kids in the cancer ward of the hospital. You made sure the teenagers who couldn’t leave had a prom. You were always aware of what people in any situation needed.”
“In that case, I just understood better than most. I still volunteer there,” she said. “I provide entertainment, books, or whatever they need or might want. I find a way to obtain it for them.” Because she knew what it was like to spend ungodly amounts of time in the hospital.
She might have been young but she never forgot. She always remembered there were kids without parents like hers who could afford to be there day and night. Parents who had to work and leave their sick kids alone.
“Of course you do,” he said softly. “And you’d better make sure you come to me this year for players to swing by and meet the kids, sign autographs, bring them memorabilia.”
She pulled him into an impromptu hug, then quickly released him. Ian wasn’t one for a big show of affection but she was. And she appreciated the effort he was making in her life and the things that were important to her.
“As far as the stadium and your ideas, they’re damned good ones. You were looking for something valuable to do and contribute without going back to school? I’ve got it,” Ian said. “I want you working hand in hand with whoever we hire. Hell, I want you to find the right people to develop this kind of thing.”
She blinked in surprise. “But I don’t know the companies.”
“My head of tech does. He’s just older and doesn’t have the unique perspective that you do. Do you have any idea the freshness you can bring to the Thunder?”
“Ummm, no?” But thanks to his excitement, she was beginning to. “But Ian? I heard you on the phone with Ethan. I know he said something to you about me wanting to be hands-on. I don’t want a pity job.”
She was still surprised Ethan had looked out for her at all.
Ian burst out laughing, a rare feat for the quiet, surly man. “Do I look or act like someone who’d give anyone a pity job? Including family? Just ask Alex how hard he had to work to prove himself to me when he first signed on and you’ll have your answer.”
She grinned, recalling those early days of her brother, Alex, and the program he’d undertaken with the Thunder to bring concussion awareness to the league along with educating players on post-game life.