As the title suggests, I have a question regarding addressing the press.
Is this required? What happens if a player just refuses to address the media? This question stems from Winnipeg’s Hellebuyck reportedly refusing to attending these after each playoff loss this year.
What happens to the player? Fines? Is it already written in every nhl contract to speak to the press if asked?
The last question that came outta this thought-process was after each game, does someone just go in the lockeroom and announce who the media will be talking to? Probably almost always the captain and probably the stars of the game? But as we saw with the playoffs this year, I didn’t know it was an option for players to just decline.
by Boone8725
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There definitely is a level of obligation to do interviews. Keep in mind, the players only have their jobs and make their millions because of the viewers, so they owe it to the fans to do interviews.
Teams have some control over who speaks to the media but generally yes you have a certain amount of obligation as a group, with the captain and star players doing most of the requests, and yes the networks would submit their list to the PR team who would go into the room and read it out, or the press just walks in and talks to them at the appropriate time.
There was a bit of moaning during Matthews, Marner, and Nylander’s rookie year in Toronto because the organization (specifically Lou and Babcock) made a big deal of not wanting the rookies to talk to the media much, and that was obviously who the outlets wanted to talk to the most, but the organization was mostly successful in shielding them
I doubt anyone is being physically forced to do an interview but if you don’t, there is less money on the table for you, less all star appearances and so on.
Remember Marshawn Lynch interviews lol
In the NFL, NBA, and MLB, you would be paying a fine. NHL has a little more leeway for players and organizations, but no, can’t just refuse requested interviews on a regular basis.
I wish someone would just Marshawn Lynch it.
“I’m just here so I wont get fined”
Tom Barasshole hated the media. He’d always refuse the interview.
I think there are media obligations in the contracts, basically a “will speak to the media when required” sort of thing. Same with the teams, where they and the players can get fined for anyone refusing to.
Ovi took some serious Russian steroids as a youth. Look at that forehead.
How else could losing teams complain
Those haircuts are on point.
Just say get pucks deep and four lines, banging, guys on guys.
Get pucks deep/on net. Play our game. Limit their chances. Come out stronger in the next one.
That’s pretty much it.
Why are you being so pissy?
Side note: Those hairstyles on young Ovi and Crosby, lol
Look at that old ass tape recorder
Ovechkin looks like colin Greenwood from radiohead
Normally leagues mandate that players be available after games because pressers help teams and the league gain attention and popularity. Also sponsors play a role in this as well, as pressers have sponsor boards behind them as shown above and are part of major sponsorship deals. It’s why everytime you see a Bears presser there’s a board with the team logo and multiple Hyundai logos, even certain teams’ mic flags (like the Atlanta Falcons) have sponsors on them. If players skip out when the team announces they’re available to the media they can be fined. In the NFL mostly only the QB and HC give pressers postgame, every other player gets interviewed in the locker room.
I don’t mind the post game press conferences, but I would draw the line at interviewing coaches mid-game. I may be old school, but I find it awkward.
Crosby looks like he’s ready to fight some white walkers beyond the wall.
From a boy band straight to the top of the record books
I’m just here so I don’t get fined.
Honestly I’d be delighted if every NHL player started denying conference requests. The conferences are so annoying and basically only exist to shit talk the players to their faces in a lot of markets.
Yes.
Part of their job.