What does a pro golfer owe the media?

[umassgolfer]

I think I take umbrage with the term "owe" in this conversation. I appreciate hearing all the inside scoops, gossip, etc. when the media shares them. But the term "owe" implies some sense of expectation or entitlement .

 

Just because they are public figures by their choice of profession does not mean we as fans should expect any minimum level of accessibility. It's not like they're public officials voted into office and charged with the task of protecting or serving our society.

[joker2]

More than what players think.

Less than what the media think.

[cleatis]

Nothing just like the police anything you say can and will be used against you.

[Jacked_Loft]

Many successful celebrities live quite happily in a media vacuum, and honour/inform thier fans by using web sites and/or social media.

 

TV and the likes really can only fight over the scraps nowdays, if the player chooses to let them wither.

[vanillafunk616]

Entertainers (including athletes) and politicians can't survive and make their millions without the media. They love em when it's positive attention and hate it when it's negative.

 

That's not really true. There were plenty of world famous athletes prior to the advent of the media. Best case scenario is they are hypemen for athletes. Worst case scenario is they are leaches trying to entrap athletes with trick questions and blow up any response out of any context or proportion to sell a story.

[MadGolfer76]

Are they even obliged at all to talk to the media? Always wondered what would happen if a player snubbed them entirely.

 

Assuming they would be fined by the Tour.

 

Is that an actual policy? Asking because I don't know...

[puttingmatt]

Honestly, a recap of their round,

Thats about all,

[MountainGoat]

As far as tournament performance is concerned, all that matters are low scores. It doesn't matter if you talk to the press or not. Marketability, however, is an entirely different issue. If you intend to market yourself, then press relations are super-important, because they affect your perception to the buying public. It's the difference between Patrick Reed and Ricky Fowler. One is marketable; the other is not.