SPORTS LOCKER ROOMS - No Place for the Weak

    So the Mexican TV Reporter, Ines Sainz, of TV Azteca says she's steering clear of the professional locker room scene for the foreseeable future.

Sainz of TV Azteca

    "I'm not going into the locker rooms, anymore," Sainz said on Thursday.  "It's not a good place right now for me.  I don't want to be in there."  And you can understand why.  She strolled into the New York Jets locker room not long ago and was the subject of some serious attention, hoots and hollering.  The NFL jumped in after the incident and developed a workplace conduct program, underwritten by the NY Jets owner.  So what's going to happen?  Education for the players and staffs of all 32 teams.
     So here's the deal.  Number one... I've been in a LOT of locker rooms during my 25 years in television and sports.  It's NOT an easy place to work for the men - let alone a woman.  Emotions are high and low, words can be strong and direct, blame can fly at the least suspecting pen-holder or microphone-handler.
    Factor in an attractive reporter, trying to do her job and you can understand the problems that can arise quickly.  Are the Jets to blame?  Sure.  Is the league to blame?  Absolutely.
    But let's not go crazy on the NFL and lay all the blame here.  Every league has its issues and every league has its incidents.  This is not a new issue.  Sainz is just the latest to deal with what should never come the way of any reporter.

Emotions Are a Slippery Slope

    My company HTK MEDIA deals with media training for athletes and executives - things like this are exactly what we try to prepare players for.  We work to help them handle the tough questions, and to learn etiquette.  There is no place for bad language, no place for misconduct toward reporters of any gender.  Men will be men, you say?  Maybe... but you can bet the NFL and all sports leagues will clean up this act - in a hurry.
    Truth be told, I've been brushed off by players in the NFL and MLB before after tough games.  And some of those guys weren't even in full clothes. Some not even close. Part of the deal.  But imagine the uncomfortable scene for a female reporter!
    Bottom line... the media business gives viewers and listeners on sports radio stations more access to interviews and athletes than ever before.  That's great.  But the media wants ratings and the media outlets are all chasing the "juicy quote, comment or controversy."  Players are naturally on the defensive.  But make no mistake... so are the reporters.  Sainz is just the latest to find herself in a tough situation.  But hopefully, the code of conduct will now change.

Would this Intimidate YOU?

    In this case, the league is telling the players and teams how to do their job (which isn't bad given what's happened)... but reporters could use some etiquette lessons at times too. Like trying not to "egg on" the player or coach, learning to ask questions with respect and taking what's given instead of chasing and badgering for what's not.
    In reality... the locker room is a tough place to be at times.  Let's hope this incident makes it a bit easier on everyone and some good comes from something that gave the league and it's players.  I'd love to get your comments on this!  Let's read what you've got........