Does tight access frustrate you?

[henryhenry]

the economic model is "eliminate the middle man" - us

 

[DyePack]

the economic model is "eliminate the middle man" - us

Brilliant.

 

[hockeybeat]

The lack of access is newspaper-wide problem, though. It's not just happening to us.

I have a buddy who works on our newsside. He was at crimescene the other night, talking to the relatives of some guy who was murdered. A cop walked over and demanded to know who he was. My friend identified himself as a reporter with the Major Metro Daily ****rag and showed his press credential. That should have been enough. Instead, the cop tried to take my friend's credential and driver's license. My friend refused to give up the credential and license, and told the cop to check in with police P.R.

Every section is battling with companies/teams/organizations that want to limit the scope of the message. It's easier for them to produce their version of the news than it is for them to deal with us. And it ain't changing anytime soon.

 

[cranberry]

In a sense, I understand the frustration. In another, it's time for print journalists to wake up.

Athletes and coaches are talking more than once a week. To radio shows. To the Internet. To ESPN. To Stephen A Smith. To big magazines. They're getting the access print journalists used to get.

I've said it again and again…unless print journalism stops feeding its talent to the other news outlets, diluting the product and the reason for the print media, it's just going to get worse.

By not retaining talent, newspapers are hastening their growing irrelevence.

 

[spaceman]

I recommend Udder Balm.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

Call the agent. Be nice. Turn on the charm. And, I mean, really turn it on. There are a few ways around this. Mostly you'll still be ****ed, but at least you're trying. I was able to avoid all the typical Super Bowl Media Day bull**** with a guy this way a few years ago.

 

[BYH]

Call the agent. Be nice. Turn on the charm. And, I mean, really turn it on. There are a few ways around this. Mostly you'll still be ****ed, but at least you're trying. I was able to avoid all the typical Super Bowl Media Day bull**** with a guy this way a few years ago.

A good idea, but in my experience it doesn't work with the Borassess and Leigh Steinbergs and SFXes of the world. You get pretty screwed there too. "Oh sure Leigh will get right back to you." OK tell him to call me in between lines of coke.

I had a pretty good experience with a fairly well-known agent who represents a slam-dunk Hall of Famer. But this agent answers his own phone, so there was no middle man to deal with.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

A lot of people don't realize that there's specific language in the boilerplate of any standard NFL contract that players are expected to be cooperative with the media. Charlatans like Steinberg and Boras are naturally oblivious.

 

[hockeybeat]

Call the agent. Be nice. Turn on the charm. And, I mean, really turn it on. There are a few ways around this. Mostly you'll still be ****ed, but at least you're trying. I was able to avoid all the typical Super Bowl Media Day bull**** with a guy this way a few years ago.

A good idea, but in my experience it doesn't work with the Borassess and Leigh Steinbergs and SFXes of the world. You get pretty screwed there too. "Oh sure Leigh will get right back to you." OK tell him to call me in between lines of coke.

I had a pretty good experience with a fairly well-known agent who represents a slam-dunk Hall of Famer. But this agent answers his own phone, so there was no middle man to deal with.

Sometimes, being nice and turning on the charm doesn't work. Evgeni Malkin's agents spent a great deal of time not answering questions and referring me to their PR dude, who spent a great deal of time referring me to the kid's agents.

 

[Pete Roses Bookie]

It's all Reagan's fault. Every big-time college program and every pro team is following the Reagan PR model -- stand in front of the flag, mouth platitudes, keep getting elected.