Could MMA Blogs Pick Up The Slack Of Mainstream Media?
Once upon a time, for a UFC event slated to take place in Newark, NJ, I contacted a few of my local newspapers to see if they would be interested in having me cover the show (UFC 78) for their publication. In return, I would finally be able to earn a press credential to a Zuffa-operated event, as their “no internets” policy remained in full effect.
Long story short, no publication was interested in having someone cover mixed martial arts, and I watched the lackluster show on a projection screen at Hooters. Flash forward about a year and a half later to Steve Cofields latest bit on Cagewriter, which highlights how UFC events are receiving less mainstream media coverage than ever- which can at least in some part be attributed to the difficult economic period our country currently finds itself in. It makes sense: Less money for newspaper staff equals less reporters covering the UFC’s shows. Hell even my hometown paper, The Philadelphia Inquirer, recently filed for bankruptcy.
It’s a tough time for a lot of people these days, including yours truly who was also the victim of company layoffs not too long ago. However such cutbacks in the mainstream media universe nonetheless further support the case for fine online media outlets (like the one you’re reading right now) to possibly earn a credential or two for the next UFC event. Hey, it could happen…
Personally, I don’t expect the UFC’s press office to be contacting me any time soon with the promise of a credential and a free tote bag at the gate. Generally speaking, I’m happy enough getting credentialed for most every other promotion that isn’t the UFC. I feel that eventually, whether the mainstream media is well represented or not, that Dana and crew will come to their senses and open up the door to a select few “keyboard warriors” who know a heck of a lot more about the UFC and MMA as a whole than our print, radio and television counterparts. The bottom line is that dozens of empty press chairs at any UFC event is truly a disgrace given the amount of competent, dedicated people out there who could be filling in for those laid off or uninterested. Perhaps the tide is finally turning…
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Doesn’t Sherdog get into events? How does that happen?
The whole thing is rather tricky. Sherdog cannot get credentialed from their website (last I checked at least), but if someone on their staff does a broadcast radio show or is maybe covering the event for a newspaper or espn- then they could get in that way. However if the UFC knows that the reporter also works for say a blog, then they would stipulate that any content the person obtained stay off of the blog.
It’s unlikely Sherdog will ever be credentialed whether other sites are or not because they’re basically blacklisted by the UFC for releasing The Ultimate Fighter results before they aired.
I can personally say the UFC sent me a credential application for UFC 97 so we’ll see soon enough whether they’re changed their stance but it’s apparent they’re becoming more internet friendly.
Good post, Eric. Think you touched on an important point that will likely be much more evident after a few years goes by…
Thanks for stopping by Ryan. It’s in everyone’s benefit to allow major websites to cover the UFC. Here’s hoping they embrace all the blogs and sites that give them free press and credential them for events soon.
good luck kris and eric, hopefully zuffa will realize that two of the best mma credential applicants in the world are only a website away
thanks gunslinger, i hope so too!
Great article Eric. I’ve always found it rather interesting that the sportswriters who actually bash MMA are brand new to the sport and usually have never actually seen more than bits and pieces. Seems like the ones who know MMA are not in position to adequately cover the sport.
Wha It’s going to be a while before everybody in america is into MMA like there into Football or Basketball or even Baseball
Interesting article but do you guys really think the Internet will be as credible as print, television, and radio? Zuffa’s policy basically says it all. The Internet has way too many wannabe journalists, not you guys, but you are the ones who pay for it. Even still, this site has a lot of opinion and speculation sometimes. Is that really credible journalism? You shouldn’t be shocked that Zuffa does this. As journalists, can you really blame him?
That’s the beauty of it though, this way the UFC can pick and choose which internet journalists it wants to credential, as opposed to just blindly accepting the AP credentials of any hack writer out there.
There aren’t many journalists in print or television any more who keep their bias from their reporting. It’s not about facts anymore it’s about spin. From what I’ve seen here Kris and Eric do a very good job of keeping the actual reporting of the facts in the initial article as unbiased as possible. Once that’s been done then they’re as free as anyone else to comment with their thoughts and opinions.
I try to keep my opinions out as well, unless its an editorial… which is different (and mine are usually pro-UFC)