Introduction
In order to establish a working relationship with the media, sports officials need to understand the role played by the media. No matter the medium (meaning newspaper, radio, television and Internet), the media’s intent is to inform the public.

Regardless of the level – from amateur programs involving children participating in community recreation programs, high school or collegiate athletes, adults playing recreational ball, or professional leagues – it is essential that the official understand that members of the media, just like the official, have a job to do.

The Media’s Role
The media wears numerous hats. There are the "beat reporters" who daily cover a specific team or sport for a newspaper, magazine or television; the columnist, who writes opinion articles; the feature writer who may be doing a piece on a specific athlete for a magazine or newspaper; and the photographer or videographer, who’s job it is to capture a specific moment on film or videotape.

It is critical that every member of the media be treated fairly and with respect. Fairness in the distribution of information must be a high priority regardless of the size or importance of the publication or outlet.

Coverage of a team or player will vary based on the time of year and the sport. There are basically three seasons with every sport. They are 1) the non-competitive season – the off-season; 2) the season; 3) the playoffs.

At any time during each of these three seasons the media might contact an official with a plethora of questions related to the performance of their duties.

Whose job is it to deal with the media?
In most cases, sports officials are independent contractors and deal independently with the media when it comes to personal features or general questions about the profession.

For those who are employed by specific professional leagues or conferences, policies will vary on how and when to deal with the media.

In most cases, league, conference or team management will handle media requests. However, sometimes, and especially at the amateur level, the official may have to make a decision about media access. For example, a local photographer may want to have access to the playing field. If the organization hosting the event has not clearly defined a policy prior to the event, the official should establish one. It is best to apply common sense and always consider safety of both the participants and the media. For example, during baseball games photographers generally work along a fence line near first or third base.

Most leagues and conferences have an established policy on whether or not an official can comment about league policy, rulings or specific situations that may have occurred during a contest. The official should be familiar with such policy.

With respect to an official specifically addressing a media request about a ruling or game situation that may have occurred, the following statement from the National Hockey League Media Guide provides a principle that all sports organizations might adopt as a policy statement: "The National Hockey League believes that the media is entitled to a fair explanation of calls that may have raised controversy. At the same time, the NHL believes that the game officials are entitled to privacy and time to collect their thoughts and discuss a call with whomever they want before they answer media questions."

The officials’ role
The media must also understand the role of the official. A sports official (referee, umpire, judge, etc.), is the person or persons responsible for the safe and fair play of the contest and who have the final authority to make rulings and judgments related to the conduct of the competition.

The policies o f the major professional sports organizations
The professional leagues for baseball, basketball, football, hockey and soccer have the following policies:

• Major League Baseball (MLB): The Crew Chief (or another crew member, with the consent of, and in the presence of, the Crew Chief) shall not speak with a member of the media regarding a controversial call, play or ejection in a game for a period of fifteen (15) minutes following the completion of the game. Any discussion of a rule interpretation, an unusual play, or a controversial call, play or ejection will be done with a pool reporter. (A pool reporter is a reporter selected by the other members of the media who then shares the interview information with the entire group of reporters.) Should a controversial call, play or ejection, or other urgent dispute occur during a game, the Office of the Commissioner shall, on an on-call basis, promptly provide to the umpire and crew involved press and public relations advice and assistance in responding to media inquiries. An Umpire shall not make public statements that create an appearance of lack of impartiality towards a player or Club; that are critical of the Commissioner of Baseball; or that otherwise are inimical to the best interests of Major League Baseball. Club Management and players shall not be permitted to enter the umpires’ room unless first introduced to and then invited in by the Crew Chief.

• National Basketball Association (NBA): Officials are permitted to do interviews with the print media and occasionally the electronic media when given permission by the Director of Officiating or the VP of Basketball Operations. If the media wants comment about a specific call or game situation, the Crew Chief will speak to a pool reporter who is allowed to enter the officials’ dressing room for a rule interpretation only.

• National Football League (NFL): During the off-season and the pre-season, an official may be interviewed only after receiving permission from the NFL office. During the regular season and post-season, no Official is allowed to deal with the media. If there is a questionable or controversial play during the game, the NFL allows a pool reporter to ask the referee for an explanation after the game in the Officials’ locker room in the presence of the game observer.

• National Hockey League (NHL): The Director of Officiating or the Vice President of Communications must approve all interviews at any time of the year. Post-game access is permitted to clarify game situations only. A pool reporter can ask questions of league supervisory personnel or game officials, if no supervisor is present. A member of the home team’s public relations staff (preferably the director) must be present for all interviews. A game official can decline to talk to the media. In that case, if possible, the public relations director can ask the questions on behalf of the pool reporters. The game official can, if he desires, decline to answer questions until he has had time to discuss the situation in question with a supervisor, the NHL officiating department or the NHL’s hockey operations department.

• United States Soccer Federation (all Professional Leagues under USSF jurisdiction): Professional soccer permits the use of a pool reporter in dealing with the media. The pool reporter shall be a member of the working media or a non-partisan member selected by the media relations staff of the home team who is designated prior to the game to ask the Referee questions following the game. The name of the pool reporter must appear on the Referee Pool Reporter Form and be posted in the Referee locker room and press box at least thirty (30) minutes before kick-off. The pool reporter must not be affiliated with either team and should be accompanied by the home team and visiting team’s public relations directors or their designate. The home team media relations director must be notified by the pool reporter with one (1) minute after the game has been completed if there will be questions for the Referee. Immediately after the game, a member of the home team media relation’s staff shall escort the pool reporter to the Game Officials’ room, where the reporter will ask the Referee a maximum of three (3) questions. The Referee will then be allotted five (5) minutes per question to review without the pool reporter present. After the five-minute period has elapsed, the pool reporter will be allowed back into the Game Officials’ locker room to receive the answers to the questions. The pool reporter may request one follow-up question. The same procedures are applicable to a maximum of three (3) questions.

Summary of professional leagues policies
All professional leagues use a pool reporter when dealing with officials. While the process may vary, the result is the same: Leagues allow the media access to obtain an explanation of the official’s actions. Having a team’s public relations director acting as an observer and facilitator is an asset to the official, if needed. The system of maintaining control of the questions and answers may vary, but each league supports its officials by providing ample time for the officials to gather themselves following the game, discuss among themselves or their supervisors the situation and then provide the proper and correct explanation of the rule.

College and High School Policies
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) are governing bodies of numerous sports but do not set specific policy for individual conferences or leagues. However, most college conferences and state high school associations ascribe to the policies enacted by the professional leagues – officials should not be subjected to mass interviews by the media questioning rulings or judgments from a contest.

Tips for officials when dealing with the media
Officials should consider applying the following guidelines to help them make the proper decision when dealing with the media:

The DO’s:

1. Be positive and helpful. Provide answers that are in your words and not those of your colleagues.
2. Make eye contact directly when answering questions.
3. Be brief.
4. Maintain an atmosphere of credibility.
5. If in a situation arises where you are not able to comment, rather than say, "No comment" try the "ABC Theory:" "I can’t answer that because… (explain), but I can tell you… (share information that can be helpful).
6. Stay on topic and answer only the question,
   
   

The DON’Ts:

1. Repeat the negatives
2. Insult the reporter by acting condescending. You might know the rule but they are asking because others don’t.
3. Place blame
4. Lose your temper
5. Go "off the record"
6. Say "no comment" (See The Do’s #5)
7. Refrain from responding to questions about specific coaches, players, etc. "What do you think about what player X did to player Y?" would be an inappropriate question.

Dealing with the media
Members of the NASO-initiated Officiating Development Alliance (ODA) agree that leagues and conferences should:

1. Be willing to allow officials to clarify their game rulings with the media.
   
   
2. Utilize a pool reporter to maintain a professional atmosphere.
   
   
3. Allow officials to work in an environment free from abuse, coercion, intimidation and confrontation at all times.
   
   
4. Allow the spokesperson for the officials the necessary time to research the answer that supports their game decision.
   
   
5. When possible, supervisory/observer staff personnel should be used to assist the officials in preparation and delivery of answers to anticipated questions.
   
   

Officials should:

1. Be encouraged to communicate with permitted media personnel only. All conversations are to be polite and brief.
   
   
2. Be encouraged to communicate in a non-confrontational environment, all the while controlling the content and length of the communication.
   
   
3. Control the relationship by being understanding, available, consistent, patient and respectful.
   
   
4. Be willing to share human-interest stories and antidotes on their officiating experiences and the profession. Such opportunities can encourage others to become interested in the profession and can generate a greater understanding of sports officials.