NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made some alarming comments concerning media coverage during the NBA's All-Star Weekend.
Because of COVID-19, reporters from all sports are often restricted locker room access that they had prior to the outbreak. Some leagues, including Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League, have hinted that reporters will be allowed back into locker rooms at some point.
Silver, on the other hand, seemed to imply that reporters should never return to the locker rooms.
He began his remarks by acknowledging that what he was about to say "may not be very popular" with reporters. "It's not going to be simple," he continued. "I believe that, depending on where we see this virus, potential varieties, you know, I believe that creating a little bit of distance may make more sense in the foreseeable future."
"I also believe it's a bit of an anachronism to have reporters in the actual room where players are dressing," Silver continued. To me, there are two issues: first, there are the health and safety concerns for the players, as well as for all of us. Then there's — I'm not sure we'd do it if we were developing a system from start today.
We'd tell you to come stand next to the players at their lockers while they're dressing, and that's the best place to interview them."
Silver stated that he values media coverage and that it is crucial to the league, and that he is all for assisting the media in doing their jobs. However, he noted that it may be time to take a "new look" at media access.
As one might assume, members of the media were displeased – and with reason.
Marc J. Spears, a veteran NBA journalist for The Undefeated, tweeted, "It's insulting to claim NBA reporters are waiting about in a locker room watching players dress." Many relationships between NBA players and the media were formed during the 30-45 minute time prior to the outbreak. Interviews have been completed. if the players dont want to talk, they don't have to."
