Blackhawks owner berates reporters over questions about Beach
Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz directed a tirade at a pair of reporters Wednesday at a town hall for asking questions about Kyle Beach.
The town hall, which was organized by the team, was the first time the Blackhawks brass had publicly taken questions since reaching a confidential settlement with Beach in December in a negligence lawsuit against the club. Beach said former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him while he was a Black Ace for the team during the 2010 playoffs.
The Athletic's Mark Lazerus asked Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz the following question:
"I know we're looking forward here, but I think we have to look back, also. I think much of what happened to Kyle Beach stemmed from a power imbalance between a coach and a player and the powerlessness of a player in that situation. So, what are the Blackhawks doing, what have the Blackhawks done, what will the Blackhawks do to empower a player in a similar situation to make sure that doesn't happen again?"
Rocky took the question instead and berated Lazerus.
Here's the full segment/video. Just ridiculous from Rocky Wirtz. pic.twitter.com/9k9QxKW0gI
- Wally Maz (@WallMaz35) February 3, 2022
"I think the report speaks for itself," Rocky said. "The people that were involved are no longer here. We're not looking back at 2010, we're looking forward. And we're not going to talk about 2010."
When Lazerus noted he wasn't talking about 2010, Rocky went off again.
"We're not going to talk about what happened," he said. "We're moving forward. That is my answer."
When Danny tried to step in and explain what the team is doing today, Rocky interrupted his son, pointed at Lazerus, and said, "That's none of your business."
When Lazerus countered, Rocky clapped back again.
"You don't work for the company," he said. "If somebody in the company asks that question, we'll answer it. And I think you should get on to the next subject. We're not going to talk about Kyle Beach. We're not going to talk about anything that happened. Now, we're moving on. What more do I have to say. You want to keep asking the same questions?"
Phillip Thompson of the Chicago Tribune then followed up with a similar question. Thompson noted that after the investigation, the team vowed to change its culture and values to protect players in the future, but before he could even complete his question, Rocky interrupted.
The two then engaged in a rather heated discussion.
And now he goes after @_phil_thompson. Absolutely insane from Rocky Wirtz. Smh. pic.twitter.com/dMHYOHUbkQ
- Wally Maz (@WallMaz35) February 3, 2022
"I told you, we're moving on," Rocky said. "I think you're out of line to ask this line of questioning. Why don't you ask about something else?"
Wirtz issued an apology later Wednesday evening, stating that he "crossed the line."
Rocky Wirtz apologizes in a statement for having "crossed the line." pic.twitter.com/83ZdwOmcBj
- Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 3, 2022
An independent investigation conducted by law firm Jenner & Block determined that senior leaders, at minimum, knew about allegations of sexual misconduct against Aldrich, did not act immediately, and later allowed him to resign without an investigation.
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