Eric Mcerlain over at Off Wing Opinion posted a link to Sports Media Journal’s poll asking whether sports bloggers should get media credentials. There are only 51 votes as of this writing but almost 2/3 of the respondents say no. And I have to agree with them. A few bloggers, like Eric, absolutely know their stuff. We’ve had Eric on a few podcasts and his knowledge of hockey and the NHL is extraordinary. Giving him a press pass enhances his writing.
However, the majority of bloggers are goddamn useless and add absolutely nothing to sports “reporting.” Hell, why do you need a press pass to post a blog entry on which player in the starting lineup compares to the cast of the Partridge Family? Bill Simmons doesn’t need a press pass and the majority of bloggers are cheap imitations of the Sports Guy. (Even the Sports Guy has become a cheap imitation of the Sports Guy.) You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve clicked on a link, read the blog entry, and thought, “are you f’ing kidding me? Did I just waste time reading that shit?”
No, bloggers do not need press credentials. The good ones come up with important topics and opinions with or without access. The bad ones will always suck the life out of this game, whether or not they have access to the free buffet. And for the record, we don’t have press credentials.
In other news…
[Cincinnati.com]: Bengals release LB Nicholson after arrest on a domestic violence charge
[Idaho Statesman]: Another story for the ‘Hockey players are the toughest athletes’ file
[Canada.com]: The worst logos in hockey
[TrojanWire]: Well, at least we know Steve Nash doesn’t get his chest waxed
[Ump Bump]: For Ozzie Guillen, profanity is but a station in his train of thought
[SportsBurn]: Tony Romo to judge Miss Universe pageant. Bastard.
