Penalize us 15 yards at LR because we’re doing a big ol’ “We Told You So” end zone dance. At the NFL league meetings this week, the owners decided to change that hideous decision they made last year kicking out local photogs from the sidelines. You remember – the one they made because they said the sidelines were “too crowded.” LR threw the red flag on that one, and we won the review. (OK, they didn’t change the rule because of us, but we were among the Million Media March on this one.) According to an RTNDA memo: “The new rules will allow up to 10 video crews, five from the local market of each competing team, to cover games from the field. NFL spokesman Greg Aielo told RTNDA that participating stations would be expected to provide pool coverage and that details would be worked out between teams and local stations that cover them…. Throughout the past year, RTNDA has worked with local stations to reverse the ban.” And adds RTNDA President Barbara Cochran: “This change represents a major improvement over last season’s restrictions…. ow local television stations will be in a better position to provide fans with excellent game coverage.” We still believe the locals should devote more resources to covering non-pro sports, but at least this returns some access to the pros.
Adds John in comments: “This is great news. Now more stations will have more good video that can’t go online.”