Trail Blazers Statement Regarding Media Access To Pre-Draft Work-Outs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2006
STATEMENT FROM TRAIL BLAZERS REGARDING
MEDIA ACCESS TO PRE-DRAFT WORKOUTS
PORTLAND, Ore. – Due to the actions of a reporter revealing sensitive information from the team’s pre-draft workout session today, the Portland Trail Blazers regret to announce they will be forced to close workouts indefinitely.
The reporter admitted obtaining his information by peeping through the blinds of the team’s media work room at the practice facility, while waiting to gain entry to the practice floor. The reporter was there along with numerous other media outlets at the invitation of the team, for access to the final few minutes of the workout session and to interview the players involved.
The reporter’s information first appeared in a blog and then was widely disseminated locally and nationally. The Trail Blazers accept responsibility for not ensuring that the reporter would not attempt to peer through closed blinds and is taking immediate steps to rectify the situation.
"We regret having to take these actions." said Team President Steve Patterson. "But these workouts have significant impact on the futures of these young men as well as our organization. That’s why these workouts are often closed. We were more than willing to work with the media to help our fans learn more about our potential draft picks and be as open as possible. It’s a shame that on what has been one of the biggest media days leading up to our draft, a single reporter has breached the professional trust for all of us."
- TRAILBLAZERS.COM -
June 15, 2006
STATEMENT FROM TRAIL BLAZERS REGARDING
MEDIA ACCESS TO PRE-DRAFT WORKOUTS
PORTLAND, Ore. – Due to the actions of a reporter revealing sensitive information from the team’s pre-draft workout session today, the Portland Trail Blazers regret to announce they will be forced to close workouts indefinitely.
The reporter admitted obtaining his information by peeping through the blinds of the team’s media work room at the practice facility, while waiting to gain entry to the practice floor. The reporter was there along with numerous other media outlets at the invitation of the team, for access to the final few minutes of the workout session and to interview the players involved.
The reporter’s information first appeared in a blog and then was widely disseminated locally and nationally. The Trail Blazers accept responsibility for not ensuring that the reporter would not attempt to peer through closed blinds and is taking immediate steps to rectify the situation.
"We regret having to take these actions." said Team President Steve Patterson. "But these workouts have significant impact on the futures of these young men as well as our organization. That’s why these workouts are often closed. We were more than willing to work with the media to help our fans learn more about our potential draft picks and be as open as possible. It’s a shame that on what has been one of the biggest media days leading up to our draft, a single reporter has breached the professional trust for all of us."
- TRAILBLAZERS.COM -
