The NFLPA on Friday urged the NFL to make “immediate changes” to its current “outdated” media policy regarding locker room interviews.
The players union’s statement calls for an immediate policy for post-game and practice week interviews to be held outside the locker room.
“Over the past three years, the NFLPA has tried to work with the NFL and the Pro Football Writers of America to move media interviews out of the locker rooms,” the statement read. “However, there has been little willingness to collaborate on a new solution. Players feel that locker room interviews invade their privacy and are uncomfortable. This isn’t about limiting media access but about respecting players’ privacy and dignity.
“The NFL’s current media policy is outdated. We, the NFLPA Executive Committee, urge the NFL to make immediate changes to foster a more respectful and safer workplace for all players. In the meantime, we encourage each player to ask for interviews outside locker room during the week.”
Statement on behalf of our Executive Committee regarding the locker room media policy. pic.twitter.com/Hn8LgzGDrU
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) October 4, 2024
Friday’s statement follows months of speculation and debate about a change in locker room access. Lloyd Howell, the NFLPA’s executive director, told the Washington Post in July that players “do not want to be interviewed when they’re naked,” and suggested the NFL’s media policy be “adjusted to have reporters interview players in a different setting following games and during practice weeks.”
That suggestion met with some resistance from media members, with a common sentiment being that locker room interviews facilitate more frank, in-depth discussions than those conducted in a formal setting.
Ted Karras, player rep for the Cincinnati Bengals, told media Tuesday that “each team is gonna figure out a program to where we conduct our interviews outside of the locker room,” in a bid to “get cameras off guys in private moments in our locker room.”
Ironically, Karras made his remarks to reporters in front of his locker.
Bengals player rep Ted Karras explains the new media policy to “protect the sanctity” of the locker rooms across the NFL pic.twitter.com/Hq18xIcPaJ
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 3, 2024
There were mixed reactions to the NFLPA’s statement, with reporters, fans and past and present players sharing their thoughts.
Why is locker room access important? The best stories don’t come from press conferences. They come from locker room, where reporters have the chance to build real relationships with players. It’s essential to our job; removing it would be detrimental to great storytelling. https://t.co/5c0CyvCZKg
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 4, 2024
If only y’all knew how awkward some of the male reporters act.
Straight meat watchers https://t.co/zXXY45BwIM
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 4, 2024
Wearing my @SBRadio & @SportsPRSummit hats here for a minute: Conducting interviews in the locker room because that is the way it has always been done, is outdated. A new solution needs to be found that benefits athletes & media. I might do an episode of @SBRadio on this topic. https://t.co/mfSdRMN0dk
— SportsBusinessRadio (@SBRadio) October 4, 2024
Locker room interviews are pretty unnecessary but the NFL has to ensure teams provide the same level of access to the media albeit in a different setting https://t.co/PUcDcIfhVR
— maxwell millington (@mxwzy) October 4, 2024
Agreed. Get out of the locker rooms. It’s invasive & just weird. https://t.co/w8VCiPdRyg
— Marx8385 🐬 (@Marx8385) October 4, 2024
[NFLPA]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.