Page 32 of Offside

I’d hoped the solo session would have carried me forward through both my work day and tonight’s game against Toronto.

Instead of an easy Saturday morning, I listen to Marek and Charlie discuss Hammond’s case while I make a note to conduct a careful review of the Vikings internal policies as well as read over the rules the NHL has laid out about similar situations. As I look down at the hand holding the pen, I realize I’ve bitten my nails to the quick.

As Charlie finishes his report, Marek adds his insight into this horrible situation. “The Pilots haven’t had any problems of this nature that I’m aware of since I’ve been here, but there have been players in the league in recent years who have been arrested on domestic violence charges. The league commissioner determines the punishment, in accordance with the Players Association.”

Charlie jumps in. “Which usually consists of suspending the player a minimum of 10 games.”

“Ten games? That’s ridiculous,” I scoff, frustrated over such leniency. Although it wasn’t against anyone in the league, domestic violence should never be tolerated among players.

“Yes, I agree with you Karis, but it’s the NBA Players Association and their policies under the collective bargaining agreement that protect the players’ contractual interest and their future roles on the teams. If it’s any consolation, though, the legal system won’t care about any of that. If the player is found guilty or convicted of a felony, it won’t matter that they are represented by a contract.”

“Physically harming a woman or a child is reprehensible. The team, and the league, should have a zero-tolerance policy. Period. End of story.”

My declaration is marked with a brief silence from the other end of the line.

Marek speaks first. “Charlie and I have been in this league a long time. We’ve seen the stance on domestic violence and assaults change quite dramatically, thank God. But remember, Karis, no matter how much we want to implement that type of policy, we can’t contradict the league. We can only impose the fines and suspended time as dictated.”

I fist my hands to prevent myself from picking up my candy jar and throwing it at the wall in anger. How can I, a female owner of a professional men’s basketball team, pretend this is all okay in public? And how can I use this as a preventive war cry for changes to the existing policies on the Vikings team?

What would Marv do?

I finally sit down but get more and more agitated as the call goes on, finally balancing my elbows on top of my desk to hang my head in my hands. I want to scream and shout over the absurdity of these rules, but instead I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. With each passing second, I come to my own conclusions.

Fuck whatever else has been done in the past.

I will not condone this behavior on either of my teams.

“Marek, I want you to contact the NBA commissioner and set up a meeting for us to discuss this. I want to make it abundantly clear that we will not tolerate violent acts from our players and expect their support on that. And Charlie, you’ll put out our statement in the press of the same nature, but with one caveat.”

“What’s that?” Charlie asks. I can practically see him twirling the ends of his burnt-orange mustache, his oddly cute trademark facial hair.

“That I, Karis Spurlock, will be drawing a line in the sand, and will be going to battle for what is right. The time for the league to adopt a zero-tolerance policy is now and I’m going to spearhead that initiative.”

Oh, shit. I may have just bitten off more than I can chew.

* * *

While most ofthe players have gone home for their pre-game rituals, I do some research into the NHL’s history on handling sexual assault and domestic violence cases among its players. No one disputes that hockey is a violent sport, that’s easy to see. The problem that seems to exist is how that violence and toxic masculinity bleeds over off the ice and into personal lives.

Based on my quick scan of articles written on the subject, the NHL has far fewer incidents of allegations of domestic violence than any other sport and the league has taken swift action against the few players who have been arrested for such matters, not leaving it up to just the individual teams to make the decision. The teams conduct their own internal investigation, and if they find the player has engaged in conduct that is unacceptable or that violates internal terms and policies, they can suspend players indefinitely without pay and then put them on unconditional waivers.

Now that’s what I’m talking about. Good job, boys.

Do the right thing and stand on principle.

I’m all for due process, but players need to know there are consequences to their actions outside the ice rink or the hard woods. They represent the team and live their lives in the public eye; therefore, it must be beyond reproach. I don’t think that’s a lot to ask for guys who are paid millions.

My mind races with all the information I obtained during my thirty-minute research session as I now lay on the massage table that’s been set up in my office, on the receiving end of a massage from the team’s therapist, Kip. Christine had thought it would be a good idea and called it her birthday gift to me ahead of tonight’s big game.

“These shoulders of yours are tighter than the muscles on some of the players I worked on this morning,” he jokes, digging his thumbs and fingers into the soft tissue of my upper body. “I think you should go see my friend, Somer. She owns a yoga and meditation studio. She’s fantastic and I bet she would be a great help in learning how to manage your stress levels.”

I make a laughing sound that comes out as a cough. “What gives you the impression that I’m stressed?”

“You mean, besides these boulders?” he teases, massaging my scapula area with more pressure to indicate said boulders. “Everyone has stress in their lives, Karis, but each of us responds differently. You obviously hold it all up here.”

I moan when he rolls his thumbs into the tissue at the base of my neck.

“On top of which, you still have residual scar tissue, and that must be very painful.”

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