To be blindsided like this has me fuming.
A flurry of activity is bustling as I push open the glass doors to the C-suite.
“Anna, please hold all my calls and cancel the rest of my meetings for the afternoon. No one in or out.”
“Got it.”
Her eyes trail behind me to Cassie and get even wider.
As soon as the door is closed, I turn to face my communications director.
“How in the world did this get by me? A sponsor of this size with a scandal like this? Why did no one make me aware of this?”
Shrugging out of my suit jacket, I throw it onto the couch behind me and take a seat. I tap into my tablet to see what I can find out about this scandal that is now affecting us.
Cassie shifts in front of me. “They were in damage control mode. We were hoping that they would come out on the other end of it, but it doesn’t appear that way.”
I blow out a hard breath. “So instead of telling me about it, you let me get blindsided during my morning press conference.”
“Not ideal.”
“Not ideal is toast instead of an English muffin. A major sponsor that we will likely have to cut is a problem. We get millions from them every year, and now where do you think we’re going to go?”
“What can I do to help? Do you want me to put out feelers for other sports drinks companies that are looking to expand?”
“I want a list of everyone that is interested in doing business with us by the end of the day. I don’t care who it is. All should be vetted before they hit my desk to ensure they are squeaky clean.”
“Yes. My staff is already on it. I’m working with marketing to ensure we have a reputable company going forward.”
“Good. Is that all for today? Or am I going to find out that one of my players was arrested for indecent exposure?”
Cassie winces. “Nothing like that today. I’m so sorry, Bexley.”
I shake my head. “Next time, tell me about this so I can be on the offensive.”
“You got it, boss.”
“Good. Now I need to get back to answering all these calls that are stacking up.”
Cassie rushes out of my office with her tail between her legs.
I go back to my tablet and read all about the supposed family man CEO of our biggest sponsor and his affinity for women who aren’t his wife.
It’s disgusting seeing all these women come forward. Some he worked with, some of them he met at a bar. The company released a statement, but it does little to combat all the bad press they’ve already gotten.
Just when I thought things were settling down.
Running this team isn’t the easiest job in the world, but I love it. Hockey is in my blood, from the time I was born until I took an internship right out of college.
Even though my family owns the team, my dad wouldn’t give me a job just because of the Hart family name.You have to earn your success, Bex,he always told me.How would you learn otherwise?
I’ve spent every minute here learning everything I can about the team and the league. I became a student of the sport and business. So when the time finally came for a position in the corporate suite, I was ready, until our GM retired and I got another promotion.
No two days are alike. A problematic player one day followed by a sponsor scandal the next.
Fuck. I need a glass of wine. If only it were appropriate to drink at noon on a Tuesday. Instead, I seek out the one person that I know will help.
Bex
