NFLPA Calls for End of Locker Room Media Interviews; ‘Privacy and Dignity’ Cited

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIOctober 4, 2024

Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The NFLPA has officially called for an end to locker room interviews, citing a need to respect “players’ privacy and dignity.”

NFLPA @NFLPAStatement on behalf of our Executive Committee regarding the locker room media policy. pic.twitter.com/Hn8LgzGDrU

Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Ted Karras, the team’s NFLPA player rep, explained the situation in more detail and stated that it’s been a topic of discussion since the pandemic-affected 2020 season.

Mike Petraglia @TragsBengals player rep Ted Karras explains the new media policy to “protect the sanctity” of the locker rooms across the NFL pic.twitter.com/Hq18xIcPaJ

Former NFL tight end Benjamin Watson, who once served on the NFL Players Association Executive Committee, and ex-NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith provided more insight.

Benjamin Watson @BenjaminSWatsonWell done Ted and @NFLPA leadership. There is no reason why media should be in the locker room while players are dressing. I never understood why a designated area was not sufficient to provide relevant content and respect privacy. This move is long over due. https://t.co/U5rZqUDxas

Benjamin Watson @BenjaminSWatsonHope the NFL does the right and easy thing to protect players from being caught on camera naked. https://t.co/5DodVFRPOb

Numerous reporters weighed in on the situation with varying opinions.

Joseph Hoyt @JoeJHoytWhy 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

Sheena Quick @Sheena_Marie3The NFLPA has much bigger fish to fry than locker room access.

Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFLThe league could ask teams to commit to do a 30 min press session in exterior room before players leave the facility. There’s no reason to have to push in on players who are trying to shower and dress. Its ridiculous. https://t.co/uKicahEElX

Mike Payton @AtoZ_PaytonI don’t know how my colleagues feel about this, but I also feel uncomfortable interviewing players while they’re trying to get dressed and leave the building.

just feel like I’m in the way and being annoying, especially right after an L. I’m totally down for something different https://t.co/Tl7OtdnLbh

Craig Hoffman @CraigHoffmanI hated doing interviews in the locker room. Hated it.

The problem is you need the access to have the side chats and conversations to do the job. Maintaining access but moving cameras and on-air interviews into a hallway is a perfectly fair solution IMO. https://t.co/5aE37mvU3C

Glenn Clark @GlennClarkRadioAs a reporter, the time in the locker room was critical for fortifying relationships beyond just the actual interviews themselves.

That said, there’s no hiding how weird the whole situation is and always has been.

I hope there is the ability to find a middle ground. https://t.co/becQo7WVfG

Nick Harris @NickHarrisFWSTWhile I do feel locker room access is necessary following games — especially for road teams that are hurrying to get out of the stadium onto a plane — I do feel like there can be a solution for mid-week access that doesn’t involve invading the locker room.

Gaining pertinent… https://t.co/dSnfIb8Fmq

Two Baltimore Ravens players, Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey, notably did their interviews outside the locker room this week.

Jonas Shaffer @jonas_shafferThis explains why Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey and both did their interviews outside the locker room this week.

Stanley is the Ravens’ NFLPA player rep, and Humphrey is a co-alternate. https://t.co/DJVLzPi8Ol

As Karras noted, the NFLPA’s stance isn’t so much an “indictment” on reporters but rather a need to protect the “sanctity” of the locker room. It appears that the days of NFL locker room interviews could be nearing their end, perhaps leading to common ground (e.g. hallway interviews) going forward.