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Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 6:51 GMT by HoopsHype🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
When the Media Can Drop in on Practice: What the NBA’s New Rule Means for Inside Coverage
In a move that has sent journalists, bloggers, and fans scrambling to figure out exactly what the new policy allows, the National Basketball Association announced on October 6, 2025 that it will finally let media members onto team practices—but only with explicit permission from the coaching staff and the owner. The ruling, which is set to take effect at the start of the 2025‑26 season, is a compromise between teams’ desire to protect their preparation and a growing demand for deeper, real‑time coverage of the sport.
The Backdrop: Why Practice Is a Media Holy‑Grail
For years, the NBA’s “practice policy” has been a topic of heated debate. On one hand, teams have long argued that unrestricted media presence can compromise strategic preparation. On the other, journalists have felt that a lack of access to the locker‑room, post‑practice debriefs, and the raw, unfiltered atmosphere of a practice session has robbed the sport of authenticity.
Prior to 2025, the NBA allowed only a limited “media presence” at practices. According to the league’s Rulebook, only a handful of “official” reporters were permitted, usually during team‑designated times and only in a restricted area of the gym. The policy also required the head coach’s written consent for any media to attend a practice. While this approach helped keep most practices private, it also meant that many fans and journalists missed out on critical insight into player development, strategy, and team culture.
The New Rule: The “Team‑Consent” Model
The 2025 revision, as outlined in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the updated Practice‑And‑Media Rule, replaces the old blanket “coach‑consent” system with a more granular, team‑consent framework. Here are the key points:
| Feature | Old Rule | New Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Who Can Attend | Only a limited number of “official” reporters; typically outside the gym or in a “media room.” | Any licensed or accredited media outlet may apply, but the team must grant explicit written consent for each event. |
| Location | Media usually had to stay outside the gym or in a designated media area. | Media can sit on the bench or in the training area if the coach and owner permit, but still must remain within the “media zone” defined by the team. |
| Timing | Practices were generally private; media were often allowed only for “practice highlights” on specific days. | Media can attend any practice, but the team must provide a schedule of “media‑allowed” practices, and the media must arrive early for a short briefing. |
| Access to Post‑Practice Debrief | Generally not allowed. | Teams may choose to give the media a brief debrief, but are not required to. |
| Reporting Restrictions | Coaches could block any reporter from covering specific parts of the practice. | The team can still refuse access or require that the media follow a pre‑approved script or set of questions. |
In practice, this means that a reporter for The Athletic can now schedule an overnight trip to a team’s training facility, attend a full practice session, and even sit on the bench, but only if the head coach and the general manager sign off on that visit.
Who Brought This About?
The change came after a prolonged negotiation between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). While the NBPA had long championed player and fan access, the league’s media representatives—represented by the NBA Journalists Association—argued that a more open policy would enhance the sport’s brand. The CBA’s Media Access Clause (Section 12.2) reflects a compromise that gives teams control while granting journalists broader coverage opportunities.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was quoted at the announcement that “the league is committed to fostering a transparent relationship with fans and the media, while still respecting the unique needs of each team’s practice culture.”
How Will It Work on the Ground?
The league’s website lists Practical Implementation Guidelines that teams must follow. A typical day might look like this:
Pre‑Practice Briefing: The team’s media liaison meets with the reporter 30 minutes before the practice begins. The liaison explains any sensitive areas the coach does not wish the media to observe, such as player medical concerns or specific tactical rehearsals.
Restricted Zones: The practice is divided into public and restricted zones. The media may observe the public zone, which usually includes warm‑ups, basic drills, and general team movement. Restricted zones (often the bench area or post‑practice debriefs) remain off‑limits unless explicitly allowed.
Post‑Practice Interviews: The media liaison can set up a short “post‑practice interview” with the head coach or a selected player, but it’s not mandatory.
Reporting: Journalists are expected to adhere to the NBA Ethical Guidelines, which mandate no tampering with player safety or coaching decisions.
What Teams Are Saying
Some team executives have been vocal about their concerns. General Manager Jordan Evans of the Boston Celtics said, “We’ll certainly be selective. Our practices are where we prepare for the next game. That said, we’re excited to share with fans where we can responsibly do so.” Conversely, the Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach, Mike Brown, expressed enthusiasm, noting that “players appreciate knowing that fans can see the hard work that goes into their preparation.”
The Fan Perspective
For fans, the new rule is a boon. Basketball journalists have been able to produce more in‑depth, behind‑the‑scenes stories that provide context for game performances. By watching a team’s practices on a streaming platform, viewers can see player rotations, defensive drills, and the nuanced changes a coach is trying to instill. Some fan blogs have already begun offering “practice‑day” podcasts that feature live commentary from reporters on the sidelines.
Potential Concerns
The NBA has also addressed possible pitfalls. One major concern is “coach interference.” In the event that a media presence becomes disruptive, the league will enforce a “coach‑only” clause that can terminate a media’s presence on the spot. Another risk is privacy. Player personal moments, such as medical checks or emotional debriefs, remain strictly off‑limits.
The league also acknowledged that the policy could influence player contract negotiations. Agents are now exploring clauses that might give players a say in whether media can observe certain practice moments. Some contracts already include “media‑free” stipulations for high‑profile athletes.
What Comes Next
With the rule now in effect, the next step for the NBA is to monitor compliance and evaluate its impact on both media quality and team performance. The league has set up a Practice‑Media Review Board that will meet quarterly to assess the policy’s effectiveness. If necessary, adjustments could be made—perhaps tightening the restrictions for teams that see a negative impact on performance, or easing them for teams that thrive on transparency.
Bottom Line
The NBA’s new media access policy represents a significant shift in the relationship between the league, its teams, and the journalists who cover them. By allowing media to attend practices—albeit under controlled conditions—teams retain control over their preparation while granting fans an unprecedented peek behind the curtain. As the 2025‑26 season unfolds, the basketball community will watch closely to see whether this compromise can strike the right balance between transparency and competitive integrity.
Read the Full HoopsHype Article at:
[ https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/06/when-media-is-allowed-into-the-teams-practice/86544440007/ ]
