NBA fans on press row?

Not sure if I'm behind the times on this, but I just read this in the latest ESPN: The Magazine (ducking from large objects being thrown my way for supporting the evil empire). Fans will be able to purchase tickets to sit with the media at some NBA arenas this season.

I know I'm not looking forward to it if it happens where I'll be covering games. Any way we can combat this? Will these fans be subject to the "no cheering" rules of press row?

 

What the fuck difference does it make? It will just make you feel like you're covering a college game.

 

It's not with the media, it's instead of the media. Media has gotten kicked up to the second deck.

 

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.

 

At the post-game press conference after NLCS Game 3, there were a lot of people with media credentials wearing Cardinals jackets, hats or sweatshirts.

So why should an NBA press row be exempt from the fanboys?

 

NBA must have seen those idiotic Coors Light ads with Walsh and Vermeil and thought it was a good idea. :

 

BLOGS!!!!

 

Thought the Freep got rid of Perry Ferrell? [/ducking]

 

Many high-major Division I basketball programs have done or are in the process of doing the same thing.

I understand the need for additional revenue streams, but still...

 

At Syracuse basketball, it was ridiculous last year. They put two rows of fans in front of the media on the baseline, so every time Syracuse dunked, you couldn't see anything. I watched the game on TV in the media room instead, otherwise I wouldn't have seen it.

 

You are a little behind the times. This has been going on for years but is worsening. The Celtics did it for a couple of years, then abolished it, and now have fans back on the main baseline table. They even displaced the three main beat writers at the sideline table by placing fans there. Now the stats crew (some of whom this year have been moved to a second row), have to sit next to fidgety kids and screaming parents while they try to run the clocks, etc. The Celtics have for the first time ever kicked many regulars to seating amidst the fans on an upper level in the arena, forcing them to fight the crowds after a game. In Cleveland, all writers are now on a second level that's accessible only via elevator.

 

All this is true, and there's only one way to fight back-no coverage. Tell that asshole Wyc Grousbeck if he wants to see the green and white in the paper, buy an ad.
It's not like most NBA teams are we-can't-do-without 'em items for the mass audience in their towns anyway. Eliminate the tax deductions for corporate entertainment, and attendance would be cut in half.