Journalism makes a huge foundation of how news of all kinds reaches the public. Recaps of championship wins and heartwarming tales of rags to riches it the bread and butter of sports reporting. But the fundamental rule of journalism is getting the true story out in an ethical and non-bias manner. Being able to write truthful and honest stories is what separates great journalist from good ones.
In May of 2021, the story broke that an ex-player (referred to as John Doe) of the Chicago Blackhawks filed a lawsuit against the club claiming that former video coach, Brad Aldrich, sexually assaulted him and another player during the Hawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup Run. The victim also alleges that multiple players and members of the front office knew about said incidents and kept it under wraps. There is now an “independent review” happening of the allegations as told by team CEO
There are obviously many things wrong with the incident at hand, the first of course being the fact that anyone had to go through such trauma. But along with that the prevent problem of how sports journalism does not create room to talk about tough situations like this. The inability to hold organizations and people accountable comes top down from how the league handles serious situations like abuse. How can we expect journalist to create and write accurate narratives when the league they write about refuses to acknowledge wrong doings? There has been a lack of reporting on the lawsuit specifically from top journalist and analyst. The same journalist and analysist who we see every Saturday on our televisions.
Often when these stories are reported they are often broken or talked about by the same people. There is no rush to get information or interviews because it is much easier to stay comfortable and not speak on uncomfortable situations. Journalist like ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, and TSN’s Rick Westhead are often at the forefront of getting the story out. And if it isn’t a lack of reporting than it is publications putting important interviews like the one The Athletics’ Mark Lazerus did with Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews.
Journalist, analysts, and any one in between may shy away from talking about difficult stories because the league themselves have a history of covering up and or just not discussing the “bad” parts of wanting to play professional hockey. Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse is unfortunately a problem that plagues hockey from the grassroots up. Stories of abuse get warped into stories “light hazing” and “team inanition”. The language being used by people working for the NHL is important and colors how people see the event at hand.
NHL Commissioner Garry Bettman gave his annual before Stanley Cup Finals press conference where he was met with several questions about the investigation. Questions ranging from how and when did the league know about the lawsuit to will the Blackhawks be reprimanded by the league. Bettman gave typical ex lawyer turned commissioner answers that did nothing to help give clarification of the matter from the leagues point of view.
“I think everyone is jumping too far, too fast. This is going to be handled appropriately and professionally, and done right,” said Bettman.
That would be reassuring if the culture of shut up and play did not plague the league as it does. In instances like this, all anyone can hope if that justice is served in the correct way, and that punishment (if need be) is given harshly and appropriately.
It does get old when every month, sport journalist goes through “reckonings” and pledge to speak up and speak out against unfair treatment just to go back to focusing on trades and contracts even though there are more important stories to report. Uplifting players speaking out, uplifting journalist that are willing to do the hard work and creating an open and healthy environment is the only way to not have allegations like this happening.
Unfinished Business 