The press room at the Coastal Arena was cramped, filled with expensive camera equipment. Fluorescent lights shone overhead, casting a harsh glare on the plastic table where Eric Maddox was expected to sit.
The room was packed with local reporters, sports bloggers, and a few high-profile journalists who had traveled specifically to see if the new "baby coach" of Northcastle Rising Stars was the real deal.
Maddox stepped into the room, followed by his media officer. The flashes of cameras were instantaneous, a strobe-light welcome that would have blinded a lesser man. He sat down, his expression neutral. He had done this a thousand times in his previous life, but back then, the cameras were bulkier and the reporters used notebooks instead of tablets.
The moderator tapped the microphone. "We will now begin the post-match press conference with Northcastle Rising Stars manager, Eric Maddox. Please wait for the microphone and state your name and outlet."
