Combatting league takeovers of access

I'm curious how others have handled it when things that used to be open to all media have been taken over by the league for its own exclusive coverage (web, TV or video). Do you try to go around them? Focus on other things? Just not even try anymore? And do readers wonder why you don't have the coverage you used to and complain?

 

I don't wish to say.

But I'll make up a hypothetical -- let's say the MLB and the All-star game. Exclusive coverage just for MLB.com and MLB channel, with everyone else there at the event, but pretty much SOL in terms of access. Like they would be in the press box, but couldn't go down to the locker room. Again, just a hypothetical in case the question above was not clear. What would you do as an outlet in such a case, either in your coverage that year, or in future years?

 

Here's hoping that other people can think in more general terms. This is the same board that told someone a week ago to give LESS information about their situation. Wisely.

 

Babs, you've got to provide more specific info because the hypothetical doesn't paint enough of a picture.

Even if there's no access to the locker room, players/coaches are typically made available in some sort of mix zone, where the same rules as the locker room generally apply -- athletes usually aren't obligated to participate and can hide out on the locker room rather than having to resort to hanging in the trainers room until the media clears out.

The league has to provide some degree of access or else they have no reason to even bother seating you in the press box. Might as well just convert those seats into luxury boxes.

 

It's a major pro league and that's all I want to add at this point.

 

Babs, I have not heard of MLB, NBA, NFL or NHL denying access to the point you seem to be implying.
What other major pro leagues are there?

 

Granted, my dealing with pro sports has been limited, but when I have dealt with major pro leagues (NFL, MLB and NHL), they've bent over backwards for me. Something I was somewhat tickled about since my SE days were with a very small weekly.

The only general advice I can give is if there's a problem, talk to someone or have your superior talk to someone. Like Moddy said, not much else a person can help with if we don't have more details.

 

It's a first in my experience too. A smallish event, but the start of a bad, bad trend. They gave out credentials, but the credentials got you basically nothing. Meanwhile, the league's people had all kinds of exclusive access. Total waste of time for anyone else.