Mark Shapiro

Actually, I know Steve a little bit from my friend Danny Ferry.

They were teammates in San Antonio and close friends throughout their lives.

So I've actually been out to dinner with Steve a couple of times when they were in San Antonio.

But no, I've got...

The nature of these jobs are you build friendships.

I've got friends, you know, R.C.

Buford with the Spurs is one of my closest friends, you know, in the world.

And so him, Scott Pioli, was the GM for the Patriots during multiple Super Bowls and then with the Chiefs after that.

He's a lifelong friend of mine.

Shared great stories.

He was here with me during the World Series.

So he was by my side for that.

Sean Casey was with me, you know, longtime big leaguer in the suite with me.

So those two guys were with me in the suite.

It helps that people around you.

Sam Presti with Oklahoma City is also a friend.

So it helps that people around you who know how you feel.

It's hard.

It's hard to explain to an everyday person.

you know, fan who care deeply, but when you work 35 years and it's been your life's work, you know, it's, it's a little bit, your level of investment, uh, is even more different.