The Chicago Sky have announced an adjustment to media interaction rules for their players, particularly focusing on rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, as they progress through the rest of the WNBA season.
According to a recent modification in the WNBA Media Season Access policy, the Sky has opted to exempt these two players from all morning shootaround media availabilities.
This update was revealed during the team’s media availability this week, where it was specified that, “Per a change in the WNBA Media Season Access policy, two players from each team can be exempt from all shootaround media availabilities. Angel Reese & Kamilla Cardoso are exempt,” according to the team’s statement.
The exemption led to some confusion among the press, initially prompting one reporter to question whether this meant the rookies would not participate in any pregame media interactions for the remainder of the season.
This was quickly clarified by another reporter who noted, “This is not accurate. Cardoso and Reese are exempt from shootaround access in the morning. Not pregame availability. They will still be available during pregame, postgame, and practice availability.”
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This clarification highlights that Reese and Cardoso will only skip media engagements during the morning shootarounds, allowing them to focus solely on basketball during these sessions.
They will, however, remain accessible to the media approximately 60-90 minutes before the game starts, and also during postgame and practice sessions.
This adjustment is particularly significant for Reese, who has quickly become one of the most scrutinized and frequently interviewed players in the league during her inaugural season.
The change aims to balance the demands placed on young players, giving them space to concentrate on their game preparations while still fulfilling media obligations at other times.
This shift in media policy could provide a much-needed respite for the rookies, enabling them to hone their focus on critical game-day preparations without the additional pressure of morning media sessions.
It represents a thoughtful approach to managing the workload of new players who are still adapting to the rhythm and demands of professional basketball.
