Interview request rejected by team. What's next?

[DS_Writer]

I will be as vague as possible, but involves a professional sports team.

For more than a year, I've made requests to do a feature story about a player who is from this area because of the ties to our local community. I've never put a specific issue date in mind and even telling them it can be done either over the phone or via e-mail exchange.

There were talks at one point a year ago where they asked if I would meet them at one of the team's road games in a town about 2-3 hours from our office. That fell through when they couldn't confirm if we would be able to get credentials to the game for us to get photographs.

Now, I'm told that there is no interest in doing the story at this time. I do follow up with asking when a good time would be; no response.

I've never had problems like this with other professional teams in other leagues. I spoke with one person the other day and his recommendation was to go to the league's media relations department. Not sure if that's a good idea. Considering there are likely people on this board with more experience, how would you handle trying to get a feature story done with a team staff that's not cooperating?

 

[Ace]

I'm confused. Are you not making the request through the team's media relations department?

 

[LongTimeListener]

I don't think it's going to happen. If you really, REALLY need the story, you're best off going through family members if you know them. The league isn't going to step in and overrule the team.

Since I'm a huge cynic about professional athletes, I'm going to guess this guy is dancing around an arrest warrant or a paternity suit or something that's causing him to want to stay as far out of the public eye as possible.

 

[DS_Writer]

Yes. Sorry. Multiple requests that began a year ago. At first, they liked the idea, but never followed through on a time to do a phone interview or how we could meet when they were closer to the area for a road game. Nothing now, with just rejections in 10 words or less and no response when I ask when would be a good time.

 

[sgreenwell]

Find out who the player's agent is, and contact him or her instead. If the player is a pending free agent or in contract negotiations, then that could be a reason why the team isn't eager to let you interview him, but the agent might be interested.

 

[DS_Writer]

Find out who the player's agent is, and contact him or her instead. If the player is a pending free agent or in contract negotiations, then that could be a reason why the team isn't eager to let you interview him, but the agent might be interested.

Not in a contract year, but there have been rumors of a trade. Maybe I'll have better luck if the player gets traded. (Leans back and twiddles thumbs).

 

[JohnHammond]

Should have other avenues to get in touch with the player. Relatives? Former coaches? Why couldn't you get credentials to the game?

 

[Jake_Taylor]

Yeah, if his parents and/or high school coach is still in town give them a try.

 

[BrendaStarr]

If this professional player has ties to your community that means your paper/company probably covered him when he was younger and a star in high school so shouldn't you have a way to get a hold of him through him through family/friends? Honestly, your best bet is to contact his former high school who likely has his number and can give it to you.

I'm not that surprised the team's media relations department hasn't been a huge help based on my experience covering pro teams. Especially if the sport this guy plays is currently out of season, they're not going to try and track players down for you during the offseason. And unless your paper/company covers that pro sports team regularly, it's unlikely they will going go out of their way to help someone they've never met and probably will never meet for an audience that's not in their market. It sucks, but it's true.

 

[Flip Wilson]

If this professional player has ties to your community that means your paper/company probably covered him when he was younger and a star in high school so shouldn't you have a way to get a hold of him through him through family/friends? Honestly, your best bet is to contact his former high school who likely has his number and can give it to you.

I'm not that surprised the team's media relations department hasn't been a huge help based on my experience covering pro teams. Especially if the sport this guy plays is currently out of season, they're not going to try and track players down for you during the offseason. And unless your paper/company covers that pro sports team regularly, it's unlikely they will going go out of their way to help someone they've never met and probably will never meet for an audience that's not in their market. It sucks, but it's true.

I know mine was a one-shot deal and I don't deal with pro team PR people on any regular basis at all, but I needed to interview an NBA player for a feature for his college alumni magazine. His team was playing about three hours from here, and I emailed the PR folks from both teams -- the host team and the team this guy plays for -- and they couldn't have been more helpful.

 

[BrendaStarr]

I know mine was a one-shot deal and I don't deal with pro team PR people on any regular basis at all, but I needed to interview an NBA player for a feature for his college alumni magazine. His team was playing about three hours from here, and I emailed the PR folks from both teams -- the host team and the team this guy plays for -- and they couldn't have been more helpful.

There's also a big difference between someone writing a story that will appear in a player's college alumni magazine and the positive impact that could have for an NBA team and a random, perhaps smaller, publication that the OP alluded he was writing for.

And obviously, every league/pro team is different when it comes to the PR staff. There are good ones and bad ones. Always good to hear about positive experiences!

 

[ringer]

Wait - you've been making the same request for "more than a year?" I'm not sure it's the team's problem. It's fine to be flexible at first, but if they keep you in limbo for longer than a month and you never take the reins and give them a clear time hook or deadline, then it's never going to be a priority for the team. It's far too loosey-goosey. Also, "more than a year" would include the player's off-season, so you've had ample time to make it happen - with or without the team's help. It's possible that they just don't want to deal with this request anymore.

Next time, stop asking "when would it be convenient?" and tell them when you would want/need it. If they can't (or won't) do it during that window, then you have to go to plan B. If the guy's local, then -- like the posts above said -- you should be able to come up with a workable plan C, D, E, and F.

Second problem: when the opportunity arose at the road game --you say the team couldn't guarantee your credential. But if they're on the road, it's not their responsibility. You'd have to arrange it with the home team. At least in my experience. Sounds like you never tried.

Ultimately, I hope you finally reach the athlete and that your story turns out to be amazing.

 

[Tweener]

I'm not that surprised the team's media relations department hasn't been a huge help based on my experience covering pro teams. Especially if the sport this guy plays is currently out of season, they're not going to try and track players down for you during the offseason. And unless your paper/company covers that pro sports team regularly, it's unlikely they will going go out of their way to help someone they've never met and probably will never meet for an audience that's not in their market. It sucks, but it's true.

It's true. Some media relations folks are great, but most of them are utterly worthless (I won't name names). I discovered long ago that if it's a one-time thing, you'll have better luck going through the family than the SID.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Professional organization's media departments are some of the worst I've ever had to deal with for stuff like this. While some have been utterly fantastic to work with, a couple have been unbelievably difficult. The fact that this particular organization has suddenly turned a cold shoulder may indicate the organization is about to trade or dump him, or at least does not value him. On the other hand, it could just be that the media relations people don't see any value in the market your story would appear in so they don't care enough to do anything to help you. That's pro sports for you in a nutshell. It's all about the Benjamins for most of them.

But, again, there are a few professional organizations that treat all media wonderfully and work hard to accommodate them.

My advice would be to work all the angles already suggested: his friends, family, former coaches at the local high school and university, etc. Get a hold of his parents. They'll help you the most. And who really cares about getting a local photo? Run something the team can send you or run something from the AP wire. Surely you guys have an archive of photos of this guy or you at least save the ones that come across now, right? You don't have to go to a game and shoot him. Even if you do, hire a stringer that is already shooting that team for another outlet. Tell them what you want and they'll get it for you for $75 to $100.

Don't take any of it personal. The pro team is treating you like **** just like they probably treat 90 percent of the media like ****. The ones they fear are the ones they cater to.

 

[Double Down]

1. Talk to the agent.

2. If he's involved in any kind of charity (even a shame thing for tax purposes), he will inevitably have a publicist. This person can be helpful.

3. Don't email the sports information people anymore. Pick up the phone. Much harder to blow you off if you get them on the phone. At least then you'll get a better explanation.

4. Every single sports team has locker room availability. If you've been trying for like a year, and it's important, just go to that road game that's closest to your city. Tell the media relations person you're coming and are hoping to get some time to talk with him at the shootaround, batting practice, etc. Kind of hard to get blown off when you're right there.

5. Pitch an angle that's a little better than "He has close ties to our area." Do a bunch of reporting beforehand with family, friends, etc., and see if a more specific angle emerges that might be more appealing to him or his agent.