Marlins to sports writers: Pay $3 for some pop

I was at a Harvard football game probably going on 30 years ago. I was the youngest by far in the box and thought it was amazing that a small station let me phone in reports (for free of course).

They had sandwiches out at halftime, and I went to grab one. This was my first or second time in a college press box, and I welcomed the free food. I went to grab grub. The AD stopped me in my tracks and said, “you already had one!” I said I hadn’t, but this man was not going to let me have a sandwich; the sandwich gatekeeper. Pretty sure he escorted me back to my seat. Maybe he thought I was someone’s kid who was trying to be a pig. I was pissed and embarrassed (and starving).

Now I find it hilarious. Interviewed the guy on one or two other occasions and he was good to deal with. Universally considered a good guy. Just protective of his sandwiches.

One of the local councils here used to put out a spread in the back room before their meetings. I’m not sure entirely if it was open to the media or it was just there. Apparently one of the reporters fed himself pretty well. IIRC they kicked him out of the room for good. It was a story in at least one of the Boston papers, so it was a thing.

 

I was a little skeptical on that as well.

 

Eh. Maybe not. If the rogue employee under 30 he probably didn’t know why these mooches were doing getting to watch the game from those nice seats anyway.

 

That wasn't Cleary, was it?

 

I think everyone agreed the food at Notre Dame sucked.

And now you know why so many of us who covered San Jose State revered Fan Cake.

 

The subject of media slobs and free food reminds me years ago just starting out with the trade press I was invited on a junket (remember those?) to play golf in Germany. I asked my EIC if that was cool.

"No, it isn't," he said, adding, "If anyone's going to Germany to play golf, it's ME."

 

Reporters should avoid bragging about free food, writing about free food and take reasonable amounts. Readers don't care and it's a bad look for the profession. It is a long day in the pressbox to cover manysports, so providing something - free or at a reasonable price - is a reasonable courtesy by a team.

 

Back in the day, Nebraska had hot lunches before the game. Then, after the riff-raff departed, they delivered box lunches to the remaining writers after the game. That was a welcome surprise.

 

A thousand? That might be the intro.

Has a solid future as an athletic director at a major university needing stadium and arena overhauls

 

The Outback Bowl is probably the best hospitality you'll get at a sporting event in terms of media spread. From the minute you arrive until the post-game barbecue and the after work bowl-sponsored party at the hotel (with free alcohol)...they are trying to get you fat.