WNBA closing locker rooms

[MeanGreenATO]

Maybe this is cynical of me but, not only do I think pro athletes couldn't care less what the media thinks, they'd just as soon never see or talk to a reporter - ever.

Based on anecdotal evidence, a good chunk of them absolutely care. Sure, some are your stereotypical athletes who couldn’t be bothered.

But I’ve seen guys search their names on Twitter seconds after a championship loss and others who are very aware of the narrative around them and their careers. The smart ones try to shape it as much as possible.

 

[swingline]

Wainwright ain’t Smoltz. He’ll be great.

 

[FileNotFound]

Adam Wainwright is going to be really good in the booth.

As will Brett Phillips.

 

[goalmouth]

Isn't the WNBA subsidized by the NBA?

 

[LanceyHoward]

This consensus of this thread seems to post game press conferences on Zoom will be a result of the players wanting sportswriters out of the locker rooms?

I wonder if,instead, the press conferences will go on Zoom because sports writers are not traveling as much? If, for example, you are the LA Kings and no daily paper regularly travels with the team (I am I correct in that statement) then do the Kings decide to set up Zoom so they get some coverage?

 

[Mr. X]

More on the change to the access policies

WNBA opportunities lost - The IX (theixsports.com)

 

[DanOregon]

Portland's WNBA franchise seems like it won't happen - at least not now. Potential owner bailed out. Almost seems like cold feet on his part with a little WNBA over-playing its hand mixed in. Can't believe Phil Knight won't cough up the $50m to get his foot in the door and put pressure on the Blazers to sell.

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2...-apart-days-before-expected-announcement.html

 

[Preacher Roe]

Portland's WNBA franchise seems like it won't happen - at least not now. Potential owner bailed out. Almost seems like cold feet on his part with a little WNBA over-playing its hand mixed in. Can't believe Phil Knight won't cough up the $50m to get his foot in the door and put pressure on the Blazers to sell.

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2...-apart-days-before-expected-announcement.html

Mark Davis and Joe Tsai are believed to have bought the Liberty and Aces for somewhere in the $10-15 million ballpark. So I can imagine that someone would balk at shelling out an expansion fee that is three times the market cost of a team if the league is also demanding additional burdensome concessions (in their mind, at least).

 

[MeanGreenATO]

Late to this and not sure if this has been discussed here, but I found this piece pretty interesting on the WNBA wanting access but also being one of the worst leagues when it comes to that:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/11/04/wnba-media-coverage/