Bloggers Shut Out At Super Bowl
Friday, February 01, 2008
This is a few days old but I wanted to share with you this story of credentials. A story of determination and ultimately failure. There's a really good Pats Blog by the name of Pats Pulpit that has chronicled a year of trying to get credentials for various New England games throughout the year. In a record year of handing out press credentials for a Super Bowl blogs are still persona non grata in the world of Sports...
I've seen Super Bowl Media Day in the past, and I saw highlights from this morning's sessions. I'm fairly certain they guy dressed as a swami and the Spanish reporter in a wedding dress -- among a huge collection of others -- do not cover any team on a regular basis. Every "traditional" media outlet in the world mocks the ridiculousness of Media Day and the collection of idiots that are there asking moronic questions.The thing that blows my mind about all of this is how every other sect of blogs are accepted worldwide. Entertainment, Politics, and Technology blogs are granted access to any conference, release, or movie premier but Sports remains in the Stone Age as far as credentials are concerned. I probably don't really deserve credentials, but a blog that covers say the Washington Capitals deserve access to the NHL Finals over a hometown paper that barely mentions them all season.
And let's be honest, there are dozens of huge events that provide bloggers with media credentials -- everything from political debates and conventions to Hollywood award galas.
It's a shame really. But the blogosphere, populated with proprietors who believe that free speech means saying anything at any time with or without cause or reason -- or ethics, or decorum -- is it's own worst enemy, and the teams and the league have found an easy excuse to impose a webwide blackout.
Bloggers Blacked Out by NFL (Pats Pulpit)
12 Comments:
Is this just media day? Weren't other bloggers there? Or were MDS, Will Leitch, The Younger Mottram, and With Leather able to get in due to their other connections?
Dunno about the others, but Leitch is there on The Sporting News' dime, if I'm not mistaken.
MDS= Yahoo, and Leitch and Mottram= SN
I don't think Ufford got access to Media Day but I could be wrong. I think it's the independent blogs that are getting the shaft here.
If sports teams offered credentials to blogs, there would be loads of fans starting their own blogs in hopes of landing a front row seat or access to their favorite player.
Besides, the teams don't need the coverage from the blog. It isn't enhancing their image to the general public and a blog usually doesn't have a benefit for the team itself.
@1 - Bruce, the one incident I am familiar with was the mainstream media blogger that was bounced (see Throw that blogger from the pressbox! )
Readers here might also be interested in the guest column I just wrote for the US Basketball Writers Association TipOff publication, which I have posted with additional comments (High time for bloggers, mainstream media to find common ground )
@5 The Word - There are a number of NHL and NBA teams that would disagree wih you...
Besides, the teams don't need the coverage from the blog. It isn't enhancing their image to the general public and a blog usually doesn't have a benefit for the team itself.
Wait, so is that why the AFL invited bloggers to New Orleans?
I'd say I can't wait for the Super Bowl to be over, but methinks the inevitable circus of "best team ever" or possibly "biggest upset ever" is going to be more insufferable than the build up has been already.
While you're down there...
Yeah it's really just the NFL that nixes Bloggers. The NHL and NBA have specific nights where they give them all access.
It just seems like an easy way to get good press if you ask me.
Valid point, someone with a legitimate interest in the game cant get media credentials, but a woman shows up in a wedding dress gets in ? I assume there is pretty tight security for this, so shouldnt have somebody noticed, unless she changed in the stadium.
If you think the going is hard for regular sports bloggers, imagine how hard it is for CAT sports bloggers. Will somebody please, PLEASE open the virtual cat door?
Wasn't there a blogger that was kicked out of the College World Series last year for live-blogging(which is evidently against NCAA rules)?
I agree wholeheartedly with you, though. What's the harm?