Access denied

The issue of the Minnesota Wild handing out game-day credentials to bloggers creeps into the NHL blogsphere every now and then. It is almost a right of passage that a blogger will seek out the press box, in some markets gaining access, and in others being denied. But it seems that this years debate had a Wild flavor to it and took a turn for the worst, as the heat was turned up a bit when a recent rift broke out between two bloggers over this topic. The short version was basically finger pointing by one blogger as to why, using the other blogger as an example, blogs are not given press access in certain markets.

Hockey Wilderness, which covers our Wild, fired the opening shot in this not so friendly discussion against a blog at KuklasKorner, Able to Yzerman, which by the title would indicate it being a Detroit Red Wings blog but since I have only read a few posts I can't say for sure. What I can say is that this battle quickly turned nasty, complete with name-calling, profanity, and allegedly some threats directed towards Hockey Wilderness, run by BReynolds. The threats were denied by Able to Yzerman and the main blogger there IwoCPO. You will have to head in both directions to read the trashy posts yourself, as I don't want to get into a blow-by-blow account of the happenings. However, be sure to check out the apology from our Wild guy, as it seems to offer a hint of regret that he chose that particular blog to pick on.

Now if I read the initial post accurately, the main issue and crux of the argument laid out as to why the Wild do not offer press box seats to bloggers is simply bad writing, including grammar, and lack of objectivity by the writer. That is where Able to Yzerman enters the debate because apparently that blog violates the above issues and is seen as an example of why teams like the Wild don't offer credentials to bloggers. Now I really don't know enough about what the Wild media relations folks use as a guideline when deciding who gets a seast in the Al Shaver Press Box, but I will say that this blog did inquire about obtaining single game credentials but was promptly denied.

So without pointing fingers and dragging the whole debate between these two blogs into this post, the question really should be what are the reasons behind the Wild denying access to non-mainstream media such as fan blogs (and I am using the term media loosely in relation to fan blogs)? The obvious answer is that if it were that simple, everybody would grab a blog and want access. But lets face it, publishing a blog alone does not make a blogger qualified to cover a professional sports team. And even if bloggers were given access, how different would their posts be and how would that benefit the Wild & readers? I know of at least one blogger who I believe has full-season credentials with the Wild. Brad Ratgen, who covers the the team at HockeyBuzz.com, does sit above for most home games (and he manages to slip that in with every post). However...no offense to Ratgen..his game story posts are bland and nondescript. If I want a recap I head on over to the professionals, like Michael Russo, who is one talented writer for the Star Tribune. And as for his non-game story and opinion pieces, the Buzz is usually off the mark in my opinion, and offers nothing more from the press box than could have been offered from home.

Which brings me to a point...the majority bloggers are not professionals, even the ones masked by a big network of blogs. Most are fans that have a passion about a particular team and are also motivated and have the desire to publish an opinion for all to see. There are good blogs and bad blogs, with good writers and bad writers. Are there talented bloggers out there that should have access to the Wild? I am sure there are. Would I like to be one of them? Yes I would. But that does not mean I am qualified. In fact, I am not sure what I would do if given game-day credentials. While I do understand the argument for allowing non-mainstream media access to the Wild (again, using the term media loosely), I don't agree with how our friend at Hockey Wilderness went about making it. The unfortunate part is that he did not help the cause with his post.