OT: Players want locker room access change for privacy reasons

[Ian]

Interesting read, and story photo choice:

NFL players want to modify media’s locker room access for privacy reasons

Two seasons after the NFL reopened teams’ locker rooms to reporters following the coronavirus pandemic, player leaders would like to modify the locker-room access given to media members for privacy reasons. NFL Players Association officials say they are attempting to have the NFL’s media access...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Ian]

Updated with link from Yahoo News as the other was behind a wall.

 

[TheRainMaker]

As they should. Women shouldn't be allowed walking around in the locker room and then complain when players will purposely take down their towels to show them the family jewels. All media can wait outside the locker room.

 

[State]

I believe male reporters cannot have the access to female locker rooms for sports teams that females currently have with men’s.

I remember an incident in a Patriots locker room many many moons ago with a female Boston Herald reporter allegedly admiring the angle of Zeke Mowatt’s dangle.

 

[Fuzz]

I believe male reporters cannot have the access to female locker rooms for sports teams that females currently have with men’s.

I remember an incident in a Patriots locker room many many moons ago with a female Boston Herald reporter allegedly admiring the angle of Zeke Mowatt’s dangle.

You’re remembering that incident completely wrong.

 

[jmt57]

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but the whole concept of reporters in a locker room immediately after a game, as players were showering, was all based on meeting a quick deadline before newspapers went to print.

That logic is completely irrelevant in 2024, and has been for decades. There is no legitimate reason to be interviewing players at their lockers, especially when they are in a full sweat, pissed off after a tough loss. Any focus on the male-female aspect is a deflection of the real issue. As noted in the article:

where the players are is, ‘I definitely want to engage with the media. But I’d like to have the opportunity to be decent. I’d like to be dressed. I’d like to, you know, get my thoughts together and then conduct the interview.’ ”​

It's not rocket science. Have teams' PR personnel insure that players are available in a timely manner. Set up a few smaller interview spaces outside the locker room, in addition to the larger room now used for post-game press conferences. In return the players need to agree to not use the new setup to avoid questions; access to the public is a part of how and why they are paid as they make. How that would be enforced, I don't know - make it part of their contract perhaps, with defined penalties from their paychecks for non-compliance.

To me the concept of multiple strangers sticking microphones and cameras into the face of a sweaty naked person to be broadcast on local television for public consumption has always been a bit weird.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

You’re remembering that incident completely wrong.

Zeke was ahead of his time when it came to not wanting women in the locker room. More embarrassing was Victor Kiam's Patriot missel joke. That guy made the Sullivan's look like first class ownership.

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

They should have their privacy and I cannot even see why this is an issue in this day and age. If they don’t have it already, make it so each team has a media area outside the locker room area that they can use for interviews. WTH…like jmt said above…there’s no reason for them to be in the locker room in this day and age..

 

[farn]

I don’t care about the gender considerations whatsoever. No one should be allowed in the locker. Players / teams should make themselves available after the game when warranted.

Baffling that, in 2024, reporters are permitted there.

 

[anditsgood]

As they should. Women shouldn't be allowed walking around in the locker room and then complain when players will purposely take down their towels to show them the family jewels. All media can wait outside the locker room.

that has zeke mowatt written all over it , one would think we should have learned from that, it since some men like men, I'm with the wait outside the locker room, for your interview , sure you will miss the pure emotion but give these men their privacy

 

[maust]

that has zeke mowatt written all over it , one would think we should have learned from that, it since some men like men,

Well there definitely shouldn't be Jets and Cowboys fans in other team's rooms. That's just wrong

 

[AQPE]

The reporters depend on their ability to differentiate themselves from their competitors by building and maintaining relationships with individual players, coaches, player personnel staff, and owners. So as much as I disdain them I can understand why it will make their jobs more difficult to not have the access to the locker room. In my own professional life, however, I have had to make adjustments to new realities many times. Players leak things to the media for their own purposes and if they choose to do so they will find ways to somewhere other than the locker room. The good reporters will figure out how to succeed without being in the locker room.

 

[Real fan 02]

As they should. Women shouldn't be allowed walking around in the locker room and then complain when players will purposely take down their towels to show them the family jewels. All media can wait outside the locker room.

And just think how many female reporters are eager to follow players for interviews..

 

[archstanton543]

How about they just wait outside the locker room and the players will talk to them if they want to on their way out? Crazy idea, I know but why not give it a shot?

 

[TheRainMaker]

that has zeke mowatt written all over it , one would think we should have learned from that, it since some men like men, I'm with the wait outside the locker room, for your interview , sure you will miss the pure emotion but give these men their privacy

I’ve heard from a few female reporters talk about men walking around naked to make them uncomfortable. I think Erin Andrew’s was the one of them and Charissa Thompson.

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

I’ve heard from a few female reporters talk about men walking around naked to make them uncomfortable. I think Erin Andrew’s was the one of them and Charissa Thompson.

It’s a locker room. Where people oh I dono, undress? They should know this happens in a locker room and if it embarrasses them, stay the **** out.

 

[State]

You’re remembering that incident completely wrong.

Fact free responses get you no where.

 

[Fuzz]

Fact free responses get you no where.

Lisa Olson - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Scotty]

Think I remember a documentary where James Harrison (lb) challenged a male reporter and said something like ...you don't deserve to be in here....says it all really. I will try to find the programme.

 

[Pape]

no one who isn't involved in game day operations should be allowed in the locker room ... its fine for kraft media group to be there to film the game ball presentation, the coaches speech after the game, that sorta stuff... but the media? there are on field interviews before and after the game, there are player press conferences during to post game press coverage period... its unnecessary.