I do corporate communications. If my client had no choice but to speak publicly and knew these questions would come up, here's what I would do.
First off, no hollow opening statement. Just talk about the the game. First question about the situation that is asked, I answer something like this.
"You know, thank you for asking that question. I understand why you asked, and I understand why people want more information based on things they may have heard. I wish I could say more. I hate sitting up here and having to play fast and loose and avoid answering perfectly valid questions. At the end of the day, I am legally bound from saying more. I just can't do it. As much as I want to provide more information to our passionate fans and to the community, i just can't, and I really am sorry about that. And I know you are going to ask more questions, and that's fine. I know you have jobs to do. And I promise I wont get frustrated with them, but you need to promise not to get frustrated either when I just continue to refuse them at this time. i hope someday sooner than later to be able to comment further."
This is what I would say. This allows the coach to leave a press conference looking like a human with feelings who is being forced by the law to say nothing, but who has enough of a brain to understand and appreciate why the questions are being asked. Its an absolutely nothing statement that doesnt reek of tone deafness.
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