Chapter 4 - THE GYM WASN'T ROBERT'S ALONE
Carter Boxing Club looked like Robert’s business.
Everybody thought it was.
But legally, ownership was more complicated.
When the gym nearly closed twelve years earlier, Emily’s grandmother, Ruth Carter, invested $480,000.
In exchange, she received forty percent ownership.
When Ruth died, her shares passed equally to:
Robert,
Emily,
Jason.
Linda received no direct ownership.
After later restructuring:
Robert:
46%.
Emily:
27%.
Jason:
27%.
Emily had forgotten that number.
Not because it was small.
Because Robert made all decisions anyway.
Then accountant Rachel Sloan called Emily the morning after the arena.
“Did you approve a licensing deal?”
“What licensing deal?”
Silence.
“Jason Carter Performance.”
Emily closed her eyes.
A new company had signed an agreement to use:
Carter Boxing Club name,
logo,
training footage,
archive images,
and athlete likenesses.
Including Emily.
The licensing agreement paid Carter Boxing Club a small flat fee.
Jason Carter Performance received:
merchandise,
sponsorship,
content revenue,
appearance fees.
Owner:
Jason Carter — 70%.
Robert Carter — 20%.
Cole Mercer — 10%.
Emily:
zero.
Rachel asked:
“Did you vote on this?”
“No.”
“Did you receive notice?”
“No.”
That mattered.
The operating agreement required approval from at least 70% of ownership for major brand licensing.
Robert plus Jason:
73%.
Technically enough.
Then Rachel said:
“But there’s another issue.”
The agreement included archival use of Emily’s competition footage and name.
That required separate likeness consent.
A consent document existed.
Signed by Emily.
May you like
Again.
She had never signed it.
