Chapter 12

“Ms. Mitchell! How does it feel to be the first female majority owner in league history?”

“Are you concerned about being taken seriously in a male-dominated sport?”

“Will your relationship with Jack Reynolds affect personnel decisions?”

The questions came rapid-fire as Emma stood at the podium, cameras flashing like strobe lights. The press conference had been underway for fifteen minutes, and so far, she’d handled every question with poise that belied her racing heart.

“My gender is less relevant than my qualifications,” Emma replied to a reporter from ESPN. “As for personnel decisions, they’ll be based on performance metrics and what’s best for this organization’s future. No exceptions.”

Her gaze briefly found Jack at the back of the room. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, expression thunderous.

“One more question,” Lisa Chen announced from the side.

“Ms. Mitchell,” called a reporter Emma recognized from the Boston Globe, “sources