The practice of athletes skipping post-game media appearances has become increasingly common, particularly in golf where there are no fines in place to enforce media participation. While most players in individual sports like golf see press as a good thing, the more successful a player becomes, the less accessible they tend to be. In contrast, other sports like the NFL and NBA have fines in place for players who fail to speak to the media after games. Major League Baseball and the NHL do not have such requirements, with some big-name players notorious for avoiding the press altogether.
Tennis, another individual sport like golf, has rules against skipping post-match press conferences, but fines are not always applied. The rising influence of agents and social media has led to an increase in athletes skipping media appearances, prioritizing mainstream outlets over independent media. Covering golf for 30 years, AP reporter Doug Ferguson notes that players are becoming more entitled and less willing to speak to the press, opting to communicate directly with fans through social media instead.
Rory McIlroy, one of the most fascinating quotes in professional golf, has become one of the biggest offenders of skipping post-game media. While Ferguson has sympathy for McIlroy, he notes that media obligations can stack up to an absurd degree for players. Despite the challenges in enforcing media availability, Ferguson is not in favor of implementing fines. While the absence of player quotes does impact journalism, Ferguson believes that the focus should remain on professionalism and finding ways to engage the public in the sport.
The ultimate goal of media availability for athletes is to stimulate interest in the sport and keep fans engaged. Athletes sharing their thoughts in the aftermath of high-stakes competition is a key part of maintaining public interest and supporting the livelihood of players. While some players may excel at providing bland answers, the complete absence of player quotes can diminish the overall story and reduce interest in following individual players. As the landscape of media availability continues to evolve, finding a balance between player autonomy and professional obligations remains a key challenge for athletes and sports organizations.
