I laughed pretty hard when I first read this article about the Utah State University athletic department reviewing its policy on bloggers and whether to grant them press passes.

Given the football team has won six games in three-plus seasons, you would think the Aggies would be begging for any attention.

You want to discuss us in front of an audience? That's great! Sure we'll let you! Can you play quarterback, too?

In my second reaction to the article, I wondered whether denying bloggers passes also amounted to restricting public access. Utah State receives tax dollars, after all.

Apparently, this issue has already been decided.

Games and access to them are considered intellectual property and universities and professional leagues have been given the right to control them, said Scott Reinardy, an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Kansas. In an e-mail, Reinardy explained:



As their product, they allow people to purchase tickets, broadcast on radio/TV/Internet, and allow journalists to write about it. It becomes a balance of controlling access and protecting their property. If every Tom, Dick and Harry were allowed to take photos/video, and then distribute it (particularly for profit), wouldn't that diminish the product? Is it any different than people who pirate movies by filming them at the local multiplex and then sell the videos?

Update: After reading this post, Reinardy e-mailed me to clarify he was not advocating for the access policy. He was just explaining the position of the athletic departments and leagues.

— NC

Labels: Sports