Previously on The Game...
I am Tasha Mack, the not-CEO
of Malik Wright Enterprises.
You acted before the strike fund was fully in place.
Why you ain't apply for the funds? You obviously need 'em.
I don't take money I don't earn.
Forging her dad's signature on swag, that's gangsta.
BRITTANY: Way to put on your big-boy diapers, X.
That are leather.
Ms. Mack, this is Nelson Evans, my father.
-If you need anything. -Thank you.
I want you to run Club EndZone, and Jamison, we want you
to be our offensive captain.
No, it's not like that. This is my therapist, damn it!
We didn't smash.
Give a clap if you got my back.
-[all clapping] -Sound us off!
"One heartbeat" on three. One, two, three!
ALL: One heartbeat!
[microphone feedback]
[clears throat]
I'm a football player.
It's who I am, it's what I love.
Ever since I can remember,
it's the only dream I've ever had.
I just want to play.
For my coaches, for my mother...
and for myself.
That's-- that's why I crossed the line.
MAN: Jamison, Jamison!
♪ When I wake up in the morning, love♪
♪ And the sunlight hurts my eyes♪
♪ And something without warning, love♪
♪ Bears heavy on my mind♪
♪ When I look at you♪
♪ And the world's all right with me♪
♪ Just one look at you♪
♪ And I know it's gonna be♪
♪ A lovely day [Lovely day, lovely day]♪
CROWD: No justice, no cleats! No justice, no cleats!
No justice, no cleats! No justice, no cleats!
This is as far as I go.
Let's go.
No justice, no cleats! No justice, no cleats!
No justice, no cleats!
[booing, shouting]
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on, hold on, bro!
No justice, no cleats! No justice, no cleats!
-Get out of my way. -You're a fucking traitor.
-Oh, shit! -[shouting]
♪ Lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day♪
♪ Lovely day, lovely day♪
♪
-[Tasha laughing] -Mm-hmm.
And wait for it. Here we go, big finish.
♪ Ba-ba-ba, Tasha Mack♪
[laughing]
Okay, so what is this, some kind of streaming channel?
Exactly, but with whatever content you want.
A variety show, talk show,
a masterclass on power agenting.
Represent With Tasha Mack.
All right, I mean, it's cute, but why would I do this?
Because the Tasha Mack brand is fire.
And we think that our 50 million subscribers will agree.
-50 million what, now? -Streaming is the future, Tash,
and the future is now.
And we at Dreamstone TV,
we think people need a little Tasha Mack
in their lives to get them through the day.
Ooh, like a nicely-rolled blunt.
Uh-huh, a blunt with a little pow-pow-pow.
-Uh, don't do that. -Okay.
Yes, camera there, use this backdrop.
I like it, so make it sell.
Sara, I have the numbers you wanted from Club EndZone.
-They look good. -Are they good, are they great?
'Cause I need them to make up for the fact
that I lost my liquor vendor who now won't cross the line.
Well, I used to work with alcohol distributors,
so can I help?
Yes, you can.
I have several meetings with vendors today.
I can let Pam know that you're on point,
you can use this office.
The Colonel's office? You sure?
He won't mind. [chuckles]
I'm using it today to tape my first interview, so...
Thanks. I won't let you down.
You know what, Brittany? Thank you.
This is really helpful.
[phone ringing]
Oh, speaking of weed. [laughing]
-Excuse me. -Of course.
Hey, baby, I'm in the middle of an interview.
I can't talk right now.
Okay, wait, Mom, I need you to...
An interview? As in a job interview?
Yes, Malik.
I told you I would consider running MWE,
and I am considering it, all right?
But I gotta see what else is out there.
I gotta get back to me, all right? We gonna
-talk about this later. -Wait, Mom, I need...
-Bye. -Damn it, that's not even why
I'm calling you! Shit.
One call, one autograph.
[sighs]
Kameron with a "K", right?
-Correct. -Right.
All right, you know what?
-I am interested, okay? -Mm-hmm.
But I just need to think about it.
You know, it's like, ever since I left agenting,
I'm getting all these different offers--
everything from running a political campaign
to being a celebrity chef, you know?
I don't even cook. Well, not in the kitchen anyway.
[both laughing]
But thank you. Okay?
Oh! My button. [chuckles]
Oh!
[chuckles] Uh, congratulations!
Looks like you'll be feeling a kick sometime soon, huh?
You know what? You might be feeling a kick
in your ass real soon too, 'cause I'm not pregnant.
[sighs]
So, is Tasha bailing us out?
Uh, no, but I'm working on plan B.
Chaps, I present to you our fearless leader.
We would have been better off
if you used your call to order pizza.
[all laughing] Negro, please.
We wouldn't be in this shit if it wasn't for you, Garret.
No, we're here because your roommate sold us out.
Fucking Judas.
Oh, so you sucker-punched him.
Suckers deserve to get punched.
Look, I hope you'll accept our offer.
Uh, yeah. Okay, thank you.
Of course.
-[phone ringing] -[sighs]
Hello?
Oh, Lord. Okay, I'm on my way.
All right.
At least Jamison isn't in jail.
Maybe he had the right idea.
MAN: Got that right.
Ho-ho-hold on, y'all, hold on now.
Yes, what Jamison did was wrong.
-GARRET: Finally. -Exactly.
What he did was wrong and it's fucked up.
But either way, violence ain't never the answer.
Especially against one of our own, y'all, we brothers.
Violence is how we get paid, 'Lik.
Yeah, he ain't one of us. He a bitch-ass scab.
Malik, the owners are slaying us.
They went nuclear from the start
hiring replacements rather than negotiating.
They dropped their bomb. Now we have to drop our own.
Oh. So, what you gonna do?
You gonna fight everybody, Garret?
If I have to.
MAN: Congratulations, boys, it's your lucky day.
All you millionaires just made bail.
Who would have thought.
-Finally. -Let's go.
PAM: Ms. Pitts, your first appointment is here.
Um, thank you, Pam. Send them in.
Brittany!
Xavier.
Oh, you two know each other?
Oh, we go way back. How long has it been, Brit?
About five years?
Draft night 2017, right?
[chuckles] Something like that.
Have a seat.
After Clutch Vodka took off, my company expanded.
We now house five different brands.
But this contract will make us serious players in the industry.
And we have a dope presentation, samples.
-The best bid going. -Best bid going?
Mm, famous last words.
Let's go.
Let's get started. So, you're looking
at our raspberry flavor as well as our apple flavors.
I've worked here for ten years
and nothing like this has ever happened.
This damage is just-- all I know is it was trashed
when I got here, and I'm really hoping they don't come back.
Dolores, breathe, okay? I'm gonna take over from here.
Look, any questions you got, you can just direct 'em to me.
We are here with former sports agent Tasha Mack,
mother of Malik Wright who owns this shop.
Tasha, tensions are boiling across the country.
Is this a sign the players have lost the public?
No, it's a sign that some fans are stupid.
Do you think Malik regrets starting the strike?
I hope not.
Okay, his heart is in the right place.
Lifetime health care for all players
should not even be up for debate.
But money talks and, uh, bullshit walks.
Bleep that, okay?
Look, what would you do if someone
took away your health care?
Now, I know y'all miss football.
Hell, I miss it too.
But you're mad at the wrong side.
Blame the owners.
I'm Tasha Mack, and I stand with the players.
Back to you in the studio.
Guess that's a "back to you."
Mm, look, it's gonna be all okay.
We gonna close this shop, we gonna restock the inventory,
and more importantly, I'm gonna hire you some security
until this damn strike is over.
Yeah. Thank you, Tasha.
I really don't know what I would do without you.
Me either. [both laughing]
There she is. Smile, girl, okay?
-This some bullshit. -I mean...
[overlapping chatter]
Yo, J.
Dawg, you bailed us out?
Uh, yeah.
[scoffs]
Yeah, I know what it's like in there.
Wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
-Thanks, J. -Yeah, thanks for nothing, J.
So what, you want to take another swing on me, man?
Why? I made my point.
The world knows exactly what you are.
See, that's the difference between me and you, Garret.
I don't perform for the cameras.
No. No, you just stab your boys in the back.
People who put a roof over your head,
gave you a hand when you had nothing,
and helped to make your dreams come true.
To think I considered you a friend.
All right, Garret, that's enough, bro.
GARRET: Yeah, it is.
Don't think bailing us out means anything.
Brother, you good?
[sighs] I will be.
All right, come on, give me a ride to the house.
I'll change and get back on this line.
Uh, Malik, I can-- I can drop you off, man,
but I packed my bags already.
I made other arrangements.
This ain't 'cause of Garret, is it?
I mean, yeah, what you did was messed up, dawg,
but mi casais still su casa,brother.
Like I said, man, I'll be good.
All right, cool. Have it your way, bro.
Uh, I'll call an Uber.
[door opens]
Our new First Down Vodka flavors
is exactly what this stadium needs,
and my team is ready to go.
Okay, well, thank you.
Um, I will make a recommendation to Sara,
but it's really just a formality.
Whoever I choose will get the contract.
Well, we appreciate you giving us a shot.
Of course, yes. It's Miles, right?
-Yes, pleasure to meet you. -Nice to meet you.
Look, I know this is awkward,
so thanks for being a grown-up about all of this.
[chuckles] That's because I am a grown-up.
And you're still an ass.
And for the record, there's absolutely no way
that you're gonna get this contract,
so if you could excuse me, I have a date with a real man.
Same old Brittany.
Well, whatever happens, it was nice seeing you.
I bet it was.
[sighs]
-Yo, dawg, about yesterday. -Yeah.
We can't keep pulling this Malcolm and Martin shit
in front of our team, bro. It's a bad look.
We need a united front if we gonna hold this line, Garret.
Agreed. But a united front
needs to be one of boldness.
The union is weak, so it's on us
-to win by any means necessary. -[phone rings]
PLAYERS: [chanting] Bitch-ass scabs.
-Fuck the scabs! -Bitch-ass scabs!
-Fuck the scabs! -I'll see you tomorrow at noon.
At Scordato's. Bye.
Whoa-ho, dawg, fancy. Scordato's.
I thought you said Raquel was in New York.
No, that was my dad.
Since we're on strike, he took advantage
of my free time to fly in for lunch.
Wow, from England?
All the way across the Pacific just to have lunch?
-Hm. -Atlantic.
But I'm sure lunch will occur between investor meetings,
putting together their new cryptocurrency,
and buying scores of American real estate.
Well! Does he know
he's having lunch with a jailbird?
Trust me, my dad knows everything.
MAN: All right, guys, come on, step aside, move aside.
Come on, move. Back up, back up.
Yo, dawg, what's with all the pushing and shoving?
Someone called in a bomb threat.
Probably someone who spent a year's salary on a ticket.
Now, back up. Come on, everybody, back up.
Back up, make room for them, let's go.
Back up, bomb squad coming through.
Bomb squad coming through.
-[knocking] -JAMISON: Come in.
Hey, babe, sorry I'm late.
-Hey. -Hey.
-Mm. -Mm. [chuckles]
-This is for you. -Oh, thank you.
Wait, where is everybody?
Is this not the housewarming party for your friend?
So, this is the housewarming.
-Mm-hmm? -And...
I am the friend.
Yeah, the leasing agent said I have 24 hours to sign.
So, what you think?
-Seriously? -Seriously, yes.
I mean, I've never had a place of my own,
and I wanted your thoughts before I finalize things.
I mean, it's beautiful, babe, I'm thrilled for you.
But not for your face. What happened?
Oh, it's, um... [chuckles]
[clears throat] Football is a rough sport.
And you're a bad liar,
because tackling doesn't cause black eyes.
Garret swung on me.
-He done what? -It's-it's cool.
-No, it's not cool. Come here. -Baby, it is cool.
If the roles were reversed, I might have did the same thing.
I put my helmet down for a cause,
and then I broke that commitment, so...
Babe.
Enough about that. We have a decision to make.
-We? -Yes.
-Okay. -You have no idea what it's like
to eat, pray, and take a dump
all in the same six by nine space.
That is not true, because babe,
one time, I had to ride in the last row of a plane.
Aw. [sighs]
-Last row. [chuckles] -The l-- it was terrible.
For you, I bet it was.
-That should be illegal. -No, seriously.
-Hm? -I want your opinion.
Okay, well, let me survey the place.
-Survey. -All right.
Well, the kitchen is bomb.
-Mm-hmm. -And babe, this table?
And... ah, this view?
-It's amazing. -Yeah.
I say you do it.
-Really? -Yeah.
-Really, really? -Really, really.
But you know, I have one very serious question to ask.
-What's that? -[sighs]
Which room should we christen first?
-Should it be the shower? -Ooh.
-Or the bedroom? -Ooh, mm.
Mm.
Right here is good.
-Right here? -Right here.
[laughing]
I'm here with Sara Powell, CEO of Thatcher Holdings,
which owns the Vegas Fury.
Sara, with all that's going on--
the strike, the arrests, and now the bomb scare,
is it difficult to find the Colonel's replacement
-as head of football operations? -[shutter clicks]
No one can replace the Colonel, but I am being very thorough.
Or calculating?
Rumor has it, you may take the gig yourself?
Allow me to end that rumor.
I will never take this job.
The Fury deserves an experienced leader
who can guide us to a championship future.
Let's talk strike news.
Where do things stand?
Honestly, it's hard to say. The players are so disorganized.
Malik Wright jumped the gun
and then the union was forced to follow his lead.
It's a move that I think that they all regret.
But I blame the union for using someone so fragile
as the face of this fight.
Well, I'm glad you're not drinking champagne,
since there's nothing to celebrate.
Apologies about the fight, mate. That's on me.
Yeah, not cool. But apology accepted.
[clears throat]
Which is why I wanted to meet.
The union feels Malik has lost control.
So, I'm calling for a no confidence vote,
and I want you to replace him.
Me? The players rep?
Mm-mmm, no thank you.
Look, we cannot win with Malik as the face of our strike,
so he has to go.
Not by my hand. I'm no turncoat.
But you are the right choice.
Look, I've spoken to several players.
Malik will lose this vote.
Your brothers need a real leader, Garret.
Don't let 'em down.
Ooh.
[loud buzzing]
[Tasha moaning lightly]
Wow, so you just-- you just get down like that at work?
You know what, okay, I'm gonna let you finish.
-You enjoy. -Get back here, fool.
Okay, look, I like to make it rain, okay?
But this ain't it.
I got Malik Wright Enterprises business on my laptop,
and this, uh, fat-burning doohickey thing on my tummy.
I need to get 'em both in shape.
It's-it's just the moaning. You know what, no judgment.
You don't know my struggle, little girl.
Now, what you want?
I-I need to show you something.
Well, show it.
-[loud buzzing continues] -Could-could you...
-[beeping, buzzing stops] -[sighs]
-Okay, all right. -[laughing]
So, Sara, she did an interview with FuryVision,
and it hasn't aired yet, but it's not good.
[chiming]
We remember Malik's courageous post
detailing his mental challenges, yes.
But let's remember, it was football
that gave him the structure to deal with those issues.
And I'm afraid that without it, he and the union are lost.
I think that what Malik Wright really needs to do
is get back to playing football.
Why are you showing me this?
Because I know where my loyalty lies.
No, your loyalties lie with Sara.
Professionally, yes.
But it's family first, always.
Yeah, so on a stress level of...
one to ten...
[blows]
...this no confidence vote got me at, like, a five.
Maybe six.
Okay, 12.
No matter how this vote turns out,
the most important thing is Malik
needs to have confidence in Malik.
I blame the Brits.
First Benedict Arnold, now Garret.
[scoffs] I hate England.
Let's talk about that next session.
Malik, that's our time.
But we should talk.
Based on how you've handled our sessions,
I think you're getting too close.
Okay, well, that's a good thing, ain't it, Doc?
I think you're experiencing what we call transference.
Often when a therapist shows empathy to a client,
it's mistaken for a romantic connection.
-How? -You showed up at my day spa.
Yeah, 'cause I needed your help. [short chuckle]
Oh, the car.
Oh, no, no, no. Look, the fundraiser, Doc.
I'm so sorry about that. That got out of hand, okay?
[sighs]
This is a colleague of mine. He'll take good care of you.
Jebediah Rubinstein?
[chuckles] He drive a horse and a buggy
to work every day, huh? [laughing]
He's an excellent therapist.
Mm.
Caleb left me. Tee Tee left me.
[chuckles] Every woman I ever loved
has left me.
Doc, I'm begging you. Please don't do this to me.
And I'm just starting to feel like myself again.
Come on.
Doc, before I started working with you,
I was stuck in this really dark place,
but I'm not there now.
May I see your sketchbook?
[chuckles]
See here?
This sun keeps appearing in your art.
I think it represents something important in your life.
And-and it's always behind you,
so perhaps it's something in your past.
Now, I don't know what it is, but I bet my reputation you do.
And when you find out what it is,
I believe it's gonna open a pathway to-to a wholeness
that you can't even imagine.
See, Jebediah couldn't nail that like you did.
I don't need no damn sun, Doc. I just need you, Dr. Gwen.
Goodbye, Malik.
I wish you well.
Tasha. To what do I owe the pleasure?
Oh, trust me, this won't be pleasurable.
Not after what you said about Malik in that interview.
The interview hasn't even aired. I guess Brittany told you, huh?
No, Brittany's just one notch above you on my shit meter.
I got a friend over at Vega-Sports
that filled me in, and let me speak truth.
Don't nobody attack my son that way.
And then, coming after his mental issues?
Ah, you crossed the line.
Tasha, I never intended to hurt Malik.
I am genuinely concerned about him.
Bullshit. You playing the public,
and you're using Malik to do it.
I am sorry you feel that way.
Here's how it's gonna go.
Kill the interview or I release info
about Prince Beau's gambling habits.
And here's a hint-- it's illegal.
I don't do threats, Tasha.
Good, 'cause it's not a threat, it's a promise.
When the Feds get what I got,
oh, the Fury gonna be fighting for its financial life,
and they just might take your team, sweetie.
So, you would destroy Beau to prove a point.
I'll do whatever it takes to protect my child.
As you should. But it's too late.
The video's already been released.
What can I do?
You're a billionaire. Figure it out.
You just tell them that the CEO
of Malik Wright Enterprises demands it.
[door opens and closes]
[line ringing]
FuryVision Editing. This is Dan speaking.
Dan? Sara Powell.
I just saw a clip from my interview, it's fantastic.
Release it to every media outlet immediately.
Yes, ma'am.
Come on, guys, get your votes in.
[indistinct chatter]
United front, huh?
Okay, so first thing I wanna do is have a press conference
announcing you as the Fury's new players rep.
If it's all the same, I'd rather not go public just yet.
Well, it's not all the same.
We need to wipe the slate clean and do it now.
Malik's leadership was a shitshow.
Because of him, the Fury's the only team in the league
not getting money from the strike fund.
Yes, we are. I mean, the pay is shit,
but at least the players are getting something.
I would know. I sign the checks.
From the start, I told Malik the Fury was out.
With you in charge, I might reconsider.
MAN: All right, time's up. All votes in.
[clears throat]
I don't want this job.
[indistinct chatter]
This whole room knows that Malik is our true leader.
Always has been.
And if you don't know, then know this.
Malik is the one who's been financing the strike fund
for all of you from his own pocket.
[murmuring]
That's right.
The union gave you nothing.
Isn't that true, Malik?
[overlapping chatter]
You boys got families and bills and shit, right?
So...
You started this strike to help ex-players
you never met, then made sure
no one would suffer and never said a word.
If that's not leadership...
then I don't know what is.
[players murmuring]
One heartbeat, brother.
One heartbeat. [laughing]
Hey, fellas, "one heartbeat" on three, let's go.
-Yeah! -[cheering]
One, two, three.
ALL: One heartbeat! One heartbeat!
One heartbeat! One heartbeat!
Sorry I put you through all this.
No, you good, dawg, you good. And you were right.
We need to be bold.
Hey, that lunch with your dad? You think I can get an invite?
Yeah! One heartbeat!
One heartbeat! One heartbeat!
This is a bad idea.
Look, I coach the team. I'm not gonna destroy it
by having one of my starters cross the...
You work for me.
And I need fans in those stands.
And what happens when the strike ends?
Have you thought about that?
Look, look at this. Look at this.
One heartbeat! One heartbeat!
[sighs] This, this is a team.
And if they stay together, they will be champions.
Your champions.
I'll coach your replacements,
but as far as my real players go,
either they all play, or none of 'em play.
Hey, you're probably still at practice,
but, um... come through when you're done.
-Mm. -[knocking]
Oh, wait, this might be you. Okay, bye.
Hey, Brit. Is Raquel around?
I was thinking the three of us
could hook up for old times' sake.
No.
Now, get out or I'm calling the cops.
Give me the contract and I'll leave.
[chuckles] There's no way in hell
that's happening. Now go.
Maybe you'll change your mind after you see this.
Already seen it, wasn't impressed.
-Had to squint. -[chuckles] Hilarious.
You remember all the Jason Pitts swag
we used to hype my vodka?
Well...
That's you forging Daddy's signature, again.
Now, if this video gets out,
not only will it trash Jason Pitts
in the memorabilia market, you'll lose your fancy new job.
The Fury can't afford bad PR with the strike going on.
Okay.
Okay, so... I give you the contract.
And then you delete the video.
Then what, this all just goes away like magic?
Just... [snaps]
Like magic.
How do I know I can trust you, Xavier?
You can't.
I want that contract signed by week's end,
or you and the new hall of famer are going down.
Oh, and you owe me 150 bucks for the flowers.
I'll work it into our deal.
They're really nice, though. Picked 'em out myself.
[door closes]
Ms. Powell, you wanted to see me?
Yeah, come on in, Jamison.
-Okay. -Fields.
What's up, Coach? [clears throat]
It seems Coach and I are at an impasse.
-About? -Well, unfortunately,
from this point forward, original Fury players
will not be allowed to cross the picket line.
Wait, so... so that means I-I won't be playing.
We had a deal. W...
Coach, could you give us a minute, please?
LONG: Yeah, of course.
All right.
You asked me to trust you.
You asked me to trust you,
and now you are leaving me here alone.
Ms. Powell, please...
-please, don't do this. -Jamison...
Do not do this to me. I need to play.
Jamison, when the strike is over,
-I will honor your contract. -Nobody knows
-when the strike is over. -In fact, I will
see to it that you keep getting paid.
Under the table, of course, but I will see to it.
No, no. No, no, no, no, no.
If I can't play, I don't want your money.
You can keep it.
[door closes]
We all remember Malik's courageous post
detailing the challenges and his mental struggles.
-[scoffs] Wow. -But it was football
that gave him the structure...
Paxton.
Contact the federal prosecutor in St. Louis.
It's time to spill the tea, and I mean all of it.
♪
MALIK: Mr. Evans,
thank you so much for allowing me
to join you gentlemen for lunch today.
As someone who burns to be a part
of the Billionaire Boys Club, mad respect.
It's my pleasure, Malik.
My son likes to keep me in the dark
when it comes to his American life,
so meeting one of his friends is enlightening.
[chuckles] Speaking of,
Malik, why don't you enlighten us with your proposal?
Yes, will your proposal encourage my son to come home,
where he belongs?
Uh, no. But it might encourage him
to live a long and healthy life.
[chuckles] Mr. Evans, I've done my research
on the U.S. soccer league you're developing.
You've got 28 cities signed up,
you've already negotiated leases with existing stadiums,
and you have major European financing already available.
Well, you have done your research.
I think I like where this is going.
-I think I don't. -Now, sir, what if you took
all of that and you pivoted to create a new league
for the most popular sport in America-- football?
Ourfootball.
[laughing] Have you gone mad?
But we do it the right way.
Open to the most qualified people
in ownership and management, whatever color they are.
We spend real money on research to help keep the players safe.
No Thursday night or preseason games,
and all players-- past, present, and future,
get lifetime health care.
Malik, knockoff football leagues fail for a reason.
It's impossible to compete
with the most powerful sports brand in the world.
Garret, you disappoint me, brother.
It's like Whitney Houston told Brandy
in the first Black Cinderellamovie.
"Impossible things are happening every day."
That's a lovely song.
That is also a fairytale.
-But Garret is right. -Yes.
Other leagues have come and gone.
You know why? 'Cause they don't have
what we have.
We got the best bloody players on this planet.
Malik, this would destroy the union.
Nah. This will destroy the owners.
[short chuckle] Dad, you can't possibly consider this.
I mean, it's crazy.
I like crazy.
Tell me more.
[sniffles]
One step forward...
...ten steps back.
[sighs]
♪
♪ When I wake up in the morning, love♪
♪ And the sunlight hurts my eyes♪
♪ Something without warning, love, bears heavy on my mind. ♪