Not Too Much

Yesterday, the Blackhawks released the findings of an investigation into the team’s handling of a sexual assault allegation made by a player against a coach during the Hawks’ Stanley Cup run in 2010. There were no profiles in courage to be found anywhere. Instead, the front office sat on the charge for three weeks “so as not to disturb team chemistry,” as the team-commissioned report puts it. Not waiting to be pushed, Blackhawks’ GM Stan Bowman has resigned while ex-coach Joel Quennville may find himself having to answer some uncomfortable questions in the not-too-distant future. League action may also be taken against other team personnel who were part of the Hawks’ front office in 2010. The Wirtz family, of course, claims ignorance, as if that were a defense in court. The NHL showed its outrage over this handling of a sexual assault allegation—let me note here the Sun-Times reports the coach in question was later convicted of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct against a minor—by fining the Blackhawks all of $2 million. In comparison, MLB fined the Astros $5 million for sign stealing. The silver lining here is that the Hawks are facing two lawsuits related to the matter, so they may have to pay out more. A court of law may punish them in a way the owner-dominated league office doesn’t have the heart to.