With us only having one game the next couple days, I'm happy to finally talk to the media regarding Reed Laing and her agent in regards to contract talks. I don't like hearing or reading things secondhand, so this is my attempt to give you the upfront facts of the scenario we find ourselves in.

Upon Laing's free agency signing, it was made extremely clear she needed money to settle an SHL infraction and we were happy to oblige with a long term plan in place. Little did we know, it would lead to this. From one person to the next, their word is the one thing no one can take from you. Reed going back on it not only casts her in an even darker light than what she already is, but also portrays her lack of loyalty to her teammates and fans.

It is true, we have told Laing it is in her hands. As the last 24 hours have come and gone, with Reed telling teams interested in her that she is interested but to wait til free agency; We feel it is beyond correctable and unfair to our committed team here in Portland. If a team is held to a means of not contacting players under contract, then a player under contract should not be allowed to tell teams when or if they won't be under contract to alleviate contractual disputes.

While we wait for HO to give us clarity, at this moment we will see out the season as is. While latest HO word has given us the ability to release Laing without penalty or the need to pay her a cent in S34, we still are keeping all additional viable options in mind; including Reed waiving a NTC or in a worst case scenario benching her for the entirety of the S34 season.

While the latter is an expensive option, Laing will not be wearing a Portland jersey under any circumstance in Season 34. These fans and her teammates deserve better.

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<a href='index.php?showuser=2436' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-17'>galatix</a>
What lead you to decide on potentially benching Laing in S34 despite the greater cost to you?

To be honest, as our last result it is based on principle. Laing and her agent have a track record of sticking it to teams. Probably why there is very little interest, even though we have made it clear on the trade block that we will eat more than 60% of the contract. Portland has become another one of those teams, but if a penalty would be incurred by the team, then her career stats will be impacted as well.

Will take any questions...