The NFL players union’s executive committee released a statement on Friday urging the league to change its media policies and telling players to “ask for interviews outside the locker room.”
Bengals player rep Ted Karras primed the pump on Thursday by announcing the desired changes in Cincinnati “in an effort to protect the sanctity of the locker room and the comfort of the players.”
The union followed up with a statement on Friday:
“Over the past three years, the NFLPA has tried to work with the NFL and Pro Football Writers of America to move media interviews out of locker rooms. However, there has been little willingness to collaborate on a new solution,” the union posted on social media. “Players feel that locker room interviews invade their privacy and are uncomfortable. This isn’t about limiting media access but about respecting players’ privacy and dignity.
“The NFL’s current media policy is outdated,” the statement continued. “We, the NFLPA Executive Committee, urge the NFL to make immediate changes to foster a more respectful and safer workplace for all players. In the meantime, we encourage each player to ask for interviews outside the locker room during the week.”
The Pro Football Writers of America then responded.
“The PFWA appreciates the NFLPA membership following the NFL media policy that has been in place for decades,” the statement read. “NFL players asking to speak outside the locker room has always been part of the league’s media access policy. We are in continuing discussions with NFLPA executives regarding the media access policy.
“The goal is to make everyone comfortable in locker room settings and to have players and clubs follow the NFL media policy,” the PFWA concluded.