This is not good news: An Ottawa-based blogger/freelancer who has been a regular in the press box all season long has been denied a press pass to cover the Stanley Cup Finals:
Picture it: The NHL -- the high school boy, out of step with the rest of the cliques but desperate to seek validation, hungers for the attention of the most popular girl in school (the American media). She ignores him and regularly mocks him in front of anyone who will listen. Meanwhile, the girl with genuine interest (the Canadian media) might be plain and a bit of an oddball. But she legitimately cares about him, and yet he delivers the cold shoulder. This argument was solidified most recently by the league's incessant kowtowing to NBC during the playoffs -- who infamously demonstrated their gratitude by cutting the Sens-Sabres OT coverage in favour of the Preakness Stakes.It sounds like original outline for Dawson's Creek -- except our Dawson in this case seems to forget that Joey Potter finally threw in the towel after chasing him for years, and ended up with Pacey Witter in the end...who could be represented by, I dunno... Mixed Martial Arts?
Sounds like as good an explanation as any I've heard. Looks like I better check twice on those Draft credentials I applied for.
Thanks to Neate Sager for the pointer.
Sounds more like the NHL stiff-armed a freelancer who happens to have a blog. It doesn’t sound like Erin applied for credentials for her blog, but as a freelance writer. That doesn’t make it any more right, but let’s not spin it as the NHL snubbing bloggers.
As a freelance writer who works with a major media outlet Erin should have access to the NHL PR mailing list. If she does she should know that the deadline for media to apply for Cup Finals credentials was (if I remember correctly) sometime in March (or possibly early April at the latest).
I’m all for giving access to legit media (traditional or otherwise) who have a record of supporting hockey, but they still need to follow guidelines.
Ben,
You’re right — this has nothing to do my blog. As for guidelines: I can assure you they were followed. Unfortunately, due to specific circumstances that I am unable to discuss, my status on the Sun’s accreditation list was unclear until late last week. I therefore attempted to pursue the matter post-deadline on my own, despite all indications the NHL wouldn’t accept a request that didn’t arrive from an editor or outlet. I had no other choice. No one discouraged me from doing so — if anything, I was encouraged simply by the information trickling out to me from media members who insisted that many outlets were passing on the chance to secure accreditation due to cost concerns or lack of interest.
Fair enough Erin, and thanks for responding. I had no problem whatsoever with your recounting of the process and rejection on your site. I just thought Eric’s headline and lead-in were a little sensationalist.