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Last week, the NFL Players Association Executive Committee released a statement about player interviews and no longer wanting them to take place in locker rooms. The NFLPA posted the statement on their X account and said it is a statement, “on behalf of our Executive Committee regarding the locker room media policy.
The statement read, “Over the past three years, the NFLPA has tried to work with the NFL and Pro Football Writers of America to move media interviews out of locker rooms. 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“The NFL’s current media policy is outdated.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 the locker room during the week.”
Various NFL reporters weighed in on social media with many agreeing with the sentiment of finding a better place to do the interviews, although several seem concerned they will not get the same access to players and information they get when they go into the locker rooms.
Darren Smith who covers the Chiefs wrote on X that he had spoken with some of the players about the situation including Patrick Mahomes who generally speaks at the podium and is not interviewed at his locker. Mahomes said he would side with what the players wanted but also understands both sides and respects that the reporters have jobs to do.
