NFL relents, lets cameras back on sidelines
Steve Safran March 30th, 2007
Penalize us 15 yards at LR because we’re doing a big ol’ “We Told You So” end zone dance. At the NFL league meetings this week, the owners decided to change that hideous decision they made last year kicking out local photogs from the sidelines. You remember - the one they made because they said the sidelines were “too crowded.” LR threw the red flag on that one, and we won the review. (OK, they didn’t change the rule because of us, but we were among the Million Media March on this one.) According to an RTNDA memo: “The new rules will allow up to 10 video crews, five from the local market of each competing team, to cover games from the field. NFL spokesman Greg Aielo told RTNDA that participating stations would be expected to provide pool coverage and that details would be worked out between teams and local stations that cover them…. Throughout the past year, RTNDA has worked with local stations to reverse the ban.” And adds RTNDA President Barbara Cochran: “This change represents a major improvement over last season’s restrictions…. ow local television stations will be in a better position to provide fans with excellent game coverage.” We still believe the locals should devote more resources to covering non-pro sports, but at least this returns some access to the pros.
Adds John in comments: “This is great news. Now more stations will have more good video that can’t go online.”
6 Comments Add your own
1. Tom Planchet | March 30th, 2007 at 8:09 am
This is great news! Now, let’s hope they don’t pull the plug totally on the web for weekday interviews and press conferences.
Wonder also if they plan on extending that ban - if they put it in place - to training camp?
Why is the web singled out? TV, radio and newspaper can still cover the team for the most part the way they used to.
2. Marc Balanky | March 30th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Web media has been a target in San Diego for years. It has been explained to us that we are considered competition because each team has it’s own web video team.
3. John | March 30th, 2007 at 11:05 am
C’mon Safran; act like you’ve been there before.
And this is great news. Now more stations will have more good video that can’t go online.
4. Steve Safran | March 30th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
John: Good advice.
5. Tom Planchet | April 2nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
Hey Marc,
Most teams also have their own coach’s shows and team shows. Some also have their own publications and radio shows, that doesn’t cause them to shut down access to TV, newspaper and radio.
My sports team’s one-on-one interviews in the locker room won’t appear on NFL sites anyway. The pressers will, but not the one-on-ones.
6. Howard Owens | April 5th, 2007 at 4:44 am
So I look forward to seeing newspaper video teams on the sidelines, too … and benefiting from the pool coverage …
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