Bloggers in the Press Box

Eric McErlain from Offwing Opinion has a good story about the ongoing debate over giving bloggers access to the press box, including a pointer to a Sports Media Journal poll on the issue. 

Earlier this season, Hockeydirt contacted Phil Legault, the VP of Communications for the Ottawa Senators about the team's media credentials policy & bloggers.  In doing so we drew his attention to the Capitals' decision to open the press box to Offwing Opinion.

Legault pointed out that there are significant differences between the Ottawa and Washington media markets, noting that "the Capitals seek a broader reach of media interest and coverage".  The Senators, on the other hand, enjoy blanket coverage from the local and national media, as do all of the Canadian teams.  Additionally, the Senators are the only major professional team in Ottawa, whereas the Caps compete for attention with the Redskins, Wizards & Nationals, and even the Georgetown Hoyas & DC United. 

Legault also raised the issue of standards.  "...regardless of number trained and professional media that attend Senators games and practices, our main concern revolves primarily around the standards set for bloggers. At present, there are none."  He also noted that he has discussed this issue with Eklund who has reportedly met with the Professional Hockey Writers Association "to ask them to assist in setting standards for bloggers, i.e., number of visits/hits, years active, experience, journalism experience, insurance, liability, etc."

All of this seems fair & reasonable, but also very safe and even short-sighted.  Teams in the Canadian markets where hockey is always the sports story and where the demand for press box access exceeds the available space, have little choice but to be highly selective when granting press box access.  On the other hand, every team in every market is aiming to attract new fans.  By opening themselves up to coverage by bloggers, vloggers & podcasters, teams like the Senators have an opportunity to generate coverage from unique perspectives that will attract and appeal to new audiences.

While it would be unfair to point to NBC's decision to abandon the Ottawa-Buffalo game as proof of the mainstream media's attitude toward the NHL, it certainly underscores the NHL's media coverage woes and the need for innovative approaches to generating coverage.  Occasionally the NHL does something that gives the impression that the league "gets it" when it comes to the internet & new media.  The NHL-Google Video deal announced late last year was a smart move.  Giving a few bloggers access to the press box, even on a rotational, game-by-game basis would also be smart.

Comments

[mercurial scribe]

American media is always very dismissive of hockey... in fact, my husband and i watched ESPN News hoping for some highlights and all they could discuss was the Celtics 5th round draft dilemma. *rolls eyes*

Bloggers as the new front of journalism is both fascinating and scary. While there are many excellent blogs out there with respectable and responsible authors, it is an unregulated art. If the PHWA could set forth some standards of blogger professionalism, i agree it would be a revolutionary and bold move in a new media market.

The only question that remains, i suppose, what makes a "professional" blogger?

[CW]

A question completely off topic - why did Brian Murray leave or get fired from the Ducks in 2004 - i have no memory of what happened. and how do you think the sens will match up with the ducks - who will the sens play against the PPG line - will they go the speedy route or put out the line that Chris Neil is on?

[Mike]

There are a couple of problems here.

One is Legault. His attitude is obnoxious and old corporate. He's the same person blocking 640AM because he doesn't like what Leafs Lunch has to say. Overly sensitive PR people are not good for a team.

Another is Eklund. The fact that a fraud like that has any say in determining what real bloggers might have access to is just a shame.