Why Blazer's Edge is Turning Down Media Credentials

[SlyPokerDog]

As you might have read in today's Oregonian piece about Blazer's Edge, the Portland Trail Blazers have decided to change their media access policy this season. Given the parameters and consequences of their new policy, we do not feel that we can participate in their media credentialing process with a clear conscience. Therefore Blazer's Edge is turning down their offer of a credential and pursuing other avenues of coverage...

http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/27/7068913/why-blazers-edge-is-turning-down-media-credentials

 

[SlyPokerDog]

It's an interesting article if some of you aren't clicking on the link and reading it.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

SHE THINKS SHE IS SO HOT, I JUST ASKED HER TO PROM AS A JOKE GUYS, HAHAHA

 

[BrianFromWA]

Sounds like there's an opening if you want to prove yourself.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Yikes. Is it just me or is Deckard incredibly boring to read?.

 

[PDXFonz]

Fuck it, fight it, it's all the same.

 

[Natebishop3]

Sounds like there's an opening if you want to prove yourself.

That's not how I take it at all. I think Dave is spot on. The team is creating a class system for the media. It's a class system that has actually existed for a while, but they're actually basing media access on this system. Fan sites or blogs have always been second class, but now the Blazers are actually penalizing sites for it.

Sports journalism without locker room or practice access is just amateur musings from someone who is seeing something that everyone else sees.


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[BrianFromWA]

I kinda thought it was fun to see that he has over 5000 posts in 8 years. And I'm interested in his

Nobody in existence writes more than we do about this team.

I mean, maybe, but we can see about that.

 

[Denny Crane]

We've written well over a million posts about the team. I'm confident we can develop really good material on a regular basis.

 

[BrianFromWA]

That's not how I take it at all. I think Dave is spot on. The team is creating a class system for the media. It's a class system that has actually existed for a while, but they're actually basing media access on this system. Fan sites or blogs have always been second class, but now the Blazers are actually penalizing sites for it.

Sports journalism without locker room or practice access is just amateur musings from someone who is seeing something that everyone else sees.


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Practice access, maybe, but they can't write about it much anyway. "Man, I saw they were putting Meyers into the LMA role and planning on playing him with Kaman in some sets" would get you banished. ahemquickblinds

Locker room access? the quotes will come out anyway, and everyone will have a different take.

As for quality, I submit that Jaynes with his access and sources still couldn't write or speak effectively about the CBA. Some of the reporters, with their sources, were still messaging me about where we got our conclusions.

And frankly, there's way more of us, with way different takes, than can be harnessed at the O or SportsNation or whatever.

 

[Natebishop3]

Practice access, maybe, but they can't write about it much anyway. "Man, I saw they were putting Meyers into the LMA role and planning on playing him with Kaman in some sets" would get you banished. ahemquickblinds

Locker room access? the quotes will come out anyway, and everyone will have a different take.

As for quality, I submit that Jaynes with his access and sources still couldn't write or speak effectively about the CBA. Some of the reporters, with their sources, were still messaging me about where we got our conclusions.

And frankly, there's way more of us, with way different takes, than can be harnessed at the O or SportsNation or whatever.

Completely untrue Brian. Locker room and practice access is essential. It's how you develop a relationship with the players and generate original content. The players give good inside information on the team. Dale Davis was one of my favorite guys to talk to. He always had great thoughts.

You are completely wrong about the post game quotes. A good writer gets his own interviews and his own content. Not the generic crap that everyone else has.

Practice is when you get a chance to really talk to the coaches and players. Without that access........ Well, I just don't see the point.


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[kjironman1]

My thinking is they are looking for and getting better relationships elsewhere. Blazers edge is a great site. I read it all the time. Dave is a great guy and a capable writer. But there is room for more and why not bring in more when you want to.
The Blazers seem to be leaving their options open for who they want to bring in when they want to.

 

[PDXFonz]

Comcast won't offer that fat paycheck if the Blazers don't remove some of the competition. Mafia tactics.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Completely untrue Brian. Locker room and practice access is essential. It's how you develop a relationship with the players and generate original content. The players give good inside information on the team. Dale Davis was one of my favorite guys to talk to. He always had great thoughts.

Haven't we seen guys get absolutely burned by "inside information"? The closest thing I remember to a successful one was Quick's Behind the Locker Room door, and he got banished.

You are completely wrong about the post game quotes. A good writer gets his own interviews and his own content. Not the generic crap that everyone else has.

Could be, but how does one get "special" access to his own content? Aren't you standing right next to Freeman, Quick, etc. as interviews are being given? Doesn't everyone get to hear the questions you ask and the answers you get? Or do you have a separate time you can talk? Why do I see almost every relevant quote posted within 15 minutes of shower time? I'm not challenging, I just don't get it. Talking Ball didn't have "original content"...they talked about quotes that someone showed on the screen. They didn't have a postgame reporter. And when they did (like Rebecca Haarlow) it was put on TV almost immediately.

Practice is when you get a chance to really talk to the coaches and players. Without that access........ Well, I just don't see the point.

Why would the team give access to interfere with players' time if they haven't shown it's worth it? I mean, the O has cachet that we or BE or whatever doesn't--whether they deserve it or not. Does Willamette Week get the access that BE just gave up? I guess I just take it to mean that anyone who wants "access" has to earn it. If you're telling me it can't be done without "access" already, and we're chicken-and-egg, then I guess I'm still too naïve.

 

[kjironman1]

Comcast won't offer that fat paycheck if the Blazers don't remove some of the competition. Mafia tactics.

Are you sure they have a choice? They are under contract. One other thing also. I don't expect the Blazers to enter into the same kind of contract again with Comcast. At least i hope they don't?

 

[RR7]

That's not how I take it at all. I think Dave is spot on. The team is creating a class system for the media. It's a class system that has actually existed for a while, but they're actually basing media access on this system. Fan sites or blogs have always been second class, but now the Blazers are actually penalizing sites for it.

Sports journalism without locker room or practice access is just amateur musings from someone who is seeing something that everyone else sees.


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But where do you start or set a limit on it? If I start my own blog, that really nobody is reading, can I get locker room and practice access? I think having a "class system" so to speak, for the media is probably a good thing for the most part.

 

[magnifier661]

But where do you start or set a limit on it? If I start my own blog, that really nobody is reading, can I get locker room and practice access? I think having a "class system" so to speak, for the media is probably a good thing for the most part.

Exactly! Because those types could leak things that shouldn't be leaked, or next thing you know every tom dîck and Harry starts some "online" news type to get access

 

[SlyPokerDog]

We're battling just to get any sort of press access and BE is upset over getting the same status that we want.

I know from last year it's not just the locker room we don't get access to. We also don't get to have any beer from the press only keg that is wheeled out when the game is over. Probably a smart move on the Blazer's part.

 

[kjironman1]

But where do you start or set a limit on it? If I start my own blog, that really nobody is reading, can I get locker room and practice access? I think having a "class system" so to speak, for the media is probably a good thing for the most part.

Got to agree for the most part. One of the things that the Blazers offered BE was access on a case by case basis. It also said they would have to prove themselves again after losing Ben. That seems a little tight but maybe they are just protecting themselves from a problem.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

being part of sb nation, you would think that would set them apart from the drexlerfandatadelvers.nets of the world, but whatevz, i hope they die forever

 

[kjironman1]

We're battling just to get any sort of press access and BE is upset over getting the same status that we want.

I know from last year it's not just the locker room we don't get access to. We also don't get to have any beer from the press only keg that is wheeled out when the game is over. Probably a smart move on the Blazer's part.

This is where i was going when i was asking about the rules and possible language issues involved with the S2 writing team.

 

[Natebishop3]

Haven't we seen guys get absolutely burned by "inside information"? The closest thing I remember to a successful one was Quick's Behind the Locker Room door, and he got banished.
Could be, but how does one get "special" access to his own content? Aren't you standing right next to Freeman, Quick, etc. as interviews are being given? Doesn't everyone get to hear the questions you ask and the answers you get? Or do you have a separate time you can talk? Why do I see almost every relevant quote posted within 15 minutes of shower time? I'm not challenging, I just don't get it. Talking Ball didn't have "original content"...they talked about quotes that someone showed on the screen. They didn't have a postgame reporter. And when they did (like Rebecca Haarlow) it was put on TV almost immediately.

Why would the team give access to interfere with players' time if they haven't shown it's worth it? I mean, the O has cachet that we or BE or whatever doesn't--whether they deserve it or not. Does Willamette Week get the access that BE just gave up? I guess I just take it to mean that anyone who wants "access" has to earn it. If you're telling me it can't be done without "access" already, and we're chicken-and-egg, then I guess I'm still too naïve.

Before the game, the media gets access to the locker room. The guys are literally just sitting there watching tv and joking around. You can go up to anyone and ask if they would answer a few questions. I generated a ton of content this way.

After the game the guys are getting dressed and you can ask them questions. Obviously there is a throng around lillard and Aldridge but you can get your own time and quotes from other players. The media moves around in a big clump and a smart writer doesn't need to be in that mob.

Practice is not open to the media until after they're done. At that point you can try to grab anyone as they walk off the court. This is a good time to talk to coaches or players in a more relaxed setting.


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[EL PRESIDENTE]

Blazersedge sucks.

 

[kjironman1]

Blazersedge sucks.

They have added some writers and they have some good articles. They work hard to put out good stuff.

 

[Natebishop3]

But where do you start or set a limit on it? If I start my own blog, that really nobody is reading, can I get locker room and practice access? I think having a "class system" so to speak, for the media is probably a good thing for the most part.

Obviously not every blog that some bozo starts is going to get media access, but BE has been credentialed for a long time. They lost their main writer and now they're expected to break in a guy with no access? So does the new comcast writer have to establish themselves for they get access?


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[3RA1N1AC]

was never a fan of gollivers writing, and DD is even worse. i mean, i fucking love the blazers, and i never read shit there. and im not the only one.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

They have added some writers and they have some good articles. They work hard to put out good stuff.

They need to work harder. People on this forum do better write ups

 

[SlyPokerDog]

They have added some writers and they have some good articles. They work hard to put out good stuff.

I like BE. It's different from what we do here. Ben Golliver really liked our forum and covered a lot of our Meet and Greets. In trading emails with Dave I get the feeling that he doesn't care for us much.

 

[kjironman1]

Obviously not every blog that some bozo starts is going to get media access, but BE has been credentialed for a long time. They lost their main writer and now they're expected to break in a guy with no access? So does the new comcast writer have to establish themselves for they get access?


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I look at it this way. You better have a writer in training pretty much ready if and when you lose a writer. The O has Tokito and Joel Odom backing up Freeman who was backing up Quick.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I like BE. It's different from what we do here. Ben Golliver really liked our forum and covered a lot of our Meet and Greets. In trading emails with Dave I get the feeling that he doesn't care for us much.

I had an indifferent experience at BE pretty early and just left it after that. Agree about Ben--could be aloof but was a decent dude when you could sit with him and chat.