Sports and modern day media have a strange relationship. Striking the balance between respecting athletes’ emotional space and fan interest and growing the game is hard. Sometimes, as you point out, Jeff, there’s not enough access; sometimes – in my opinion – there’s too much, and in the wrong places. For example, I would love to see in-game sideline interviews of players be banished somewhere never to be conducted again. It’s absurd to ask a sweaty, breathless athlete (or pretty much anyone) to analyze and explain their emotional processes or “how they find it within themselves to (do whatever).” I’ve yet to come away feeling I’ve learned anything useful, or deepened my connection to the sport from those interviews. And talking to coaches – while they’re trying to actually… coach - strikes me as beyond ridiculous. I certainly value the work that you, and your colleagues do, Jeff. Yet, I can also imagine I’d find it hard to decompress quickly enough to give a useful postgame interview after a tough loss. I wish I had a proactive solution that is better than the current approach of making rules, breaking those rules and then getting fined for it. Sadly, I don’t have one. I hope you’ll keep up the excellent work, even though the circumstances aren’t helping. Your work matters.
Excellent points. I love that you included the Giannis interview. I am a women’s sports fan, I am the equivalent opposite of the “who cares about women’s sports” people who comment on women’s sports articles except that I truly don’t care about many men’s sports and don’t feel the need to comment….That said, I do find Giannis charming and candid (Jokic too) and for me, it’s these moments that regenerate interest. Access is everything, and can spark people to either return or start watching. The WSL (English women’s soccer league) has grown exponentially in popularity just in the last 4-5 years. The success of their women’s national team sure didn’t hurt, but that has been mainly over the last year. We watched Chelsea play on a tiny pitch with about 3k other fans in ‘20 (Feb-right before shut down) and are now just 3 years later going to watch them play in Emirates stadium with 10-20k fans. The searching and searching for articles and info actually comes up with results now. And information/access leads to more fans…certainly more interest.
Good discussion. I understand the WNBA’s concerns but the more fans hear the players the more the support grows. Nobody wants to talk to the press after a tough loss or playoff loss but respect for a player or team is probably enhanced if players and coaches are responsive even if the game results are below expectations.
Hearing Liberty coach Sandy say husband instead of assistant coach during an interview was funny and seeing Sabrina come to life during that exchange was hilarious. That adds more value than anything the marketing group can create.
Sports and modern day media have a strange relationship. Striking the balance between respecting athletes’ emotional space and fan interest and growing the game is hard. Sometimes, as you point out, Jeff, there’s not enough access; sometimes – in my opinion – there’s too much, and in the wrong places. For example, I would love to see in-game sideline interviews of players be banished somewhere never to be conducted again. It’s absurd to ask a sweaty, breathless athlete (or pretty much anyone) to analyze and explain their emotional processes or “how they find it within themselves to (do whatever).” I’ve yet to come away feeling I’ve learned anything useful, or deepened my connection to the sport from those interviews. And talking to coaches – while they’re trying to actually… coach - strikes me as beyond ridiculous. I certainly value the work that you, and your colleagues do, Jeff. Yet, I can also imagine I’d find it hard to decompress quickly enough to give a useful postgame interview after a tough loss. I wish I had a proactive solution that is better than the current approach of making rules, breaking those rules and then getting fined for it. Sadly, I don’t have one. I hope you’ll keep up the excellent work, even though the circumstances aren’t helping. Your work matters.
Excellent points. I love that you included the Giannis interview. I am a women’s sports fan, I am the equivalent opposite of the “who cares about women’s sports” people who comment on women’s sports articles except that I truly don’t care about many men’s sports and don’t feel the need to comment….That said, I do find Giannis charming and candid (Jokic too) and for me, it’s these moments that regenerate interest. Access is everything, and can spark people to either return or start watching. The WSL (English women’s soccer league) has grown exponentially in popularity just in the last 4-5 years. The success of their women’s national team sure didn’t hurt, but that has been mainly over the last year. We watched Chelsea play on a tiny pitch with about 3k other fans in ‘20 (Feb-right before shut down) and are now just 3 years later going to watch them play in Emirates stadium with 10-20k fans. The searching and searching for articles and info actually comes up with results now. And information/access leads to more fans…certainly more interest.
Good discussion. I understand the WNBA’s concerns but the more fans hear the players the more the support grows. Nobody wants to talk to the press after a tough loss or playoff loss but respect for a player or team is probably enhanced if players and coaches are responsive even if the game results are below expectations.
Hearing Liberty coach Sandy say husband instead of assistant coach during an interview was funny and seeing Sabrina come to life during that exchange was hilarious. That adds more value than anything the marketing group can create.