It's not all bad for the media
Sports writers have a reputation of being a rather surly bunch. And for the most part, much of what they complain about is justified- underpaid, overworked, miles and miles of travel, away from family, etc.
But when a big event happens, like a Super Bowl or in this case the BCS National Championship, there isn't a lot to complain about.
The media hotel is located on a sprawling JW Marriott resort called the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rooms here go for about $400 a night, so you know it's a nice place.
Upon arrival, media members must pick up their game credentials in the registration room just off the lobby. Credentials were applied for about a month ago and went through a Homeland Security screening process for approval. So media arriving without a credential are out of luck. BCS organizers can't just give you one when you show up.
A media coordinator told me that was a source of contention from a couple dejected reporters already since this is the first year the BCS has adopted this procedure. Several people showed up expecting to be able to apply and be granted a game credential, and were apologetically denied.
The NFL has been doing it this way for several years for the Super Bowl. I had to apply a month in advance and send in some personal information for a screening.
There is also a media lounge with a bunch of snacks an flat-screen TVs which Sam Borden alluded to in his blog. I haven't found Golden Tee yet, but when I do, I probably won't be in my room very much. The lounge has a wireless Internet connection that some writers and photographers find useful, so they can work and relax and get out of their rooms. (See picture at right of Times-Union photographers Bob Mack [foreground] and Bob Self editing and uploading photos from the media lounge of events they covered this morning.)
Media are transported to various practices and events via media shuttles. All we have to do is call and someone will take us wherever we want to go. That is convenient because Phoenix is a big place, and parking can be an issue and expensive.
So don't listen to anyone complain about how tough this assignment is. Listen to it from someone covering high school sports or traveling with an MLB or NBA team. Those guys have it rough.
Here's a photo gallery from around the grounds of the media hotel.
But when a big event happens, like a Super Bowl or in this case the BCS National Championship, there isn't a lot to complain about.
The media hotel is located on a sprawling JW Marriott resort called the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rooms here go for about $400 a night, so you know it's a nice place.
Upon arrival, media members must pick up their game credentials in the registration room just off the lobby. Credentials were applied for about a month ago and went through a Homeland Security screening process for approval. So media arriving without a credential are out of luck. BCS organizers can't just give you one when you show up.
A media coordinator told me that was a source of contention from a couple dejected reporters already since this is the first year the BCS has adopted this procedure. Several people showed up expecting to be able to apply and be granted a game credential, and were apologetically denied.
The NFL has been doing it this way for several years for the Super Bowl. I had to apply a month in advance and send in some personal information for a screening.
There is also a media lounge with a bunch of snacks an flat-screen TVs which Sam Borden alluded to in his blog. I haven't found Golden Tee yet, but when I do, I probably won't be in my room very much. The lounge has a wireless Internet connection that some writers and photographers find useful, so they can work and relax and get out of their rooms. (See picture at right of Times-Union photographers Bob Mack [foreground] and Bob Self editing and uploading photos from the media lounge of events they covered this morning.)
Media are transported to various practices and events via media shuttles. All we have to do is call and someone will take us wherever we want to go. That is convenient because Phoenix is a big place, and parking can be an issue and expensive.
So don't listen to anyone complain about how tough this assignment is. Listen to it from someone covering high school sports or traveling with an MLB or NBA team. Those guys have it rough.
Here's a photo gallery from around the grounds of the media hotel.
posted by Ryan Garfat at
2:44 PM
1 Comments:
Does it have a hot tub? That plase sounds great
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