Could a star player decline all interviews & media events?

[Oan]

Do players have some clauses in their contracts that they have to give interviews? If so, could the player negotiate clauses to his contract that he doesn't have to do any media stuff & interviews, would any team agree to that?

And what if the player doesn't speak any english? Or pretends that he doesn't? Obviously would be harder for a north american player to pull this off, but might it be plausible for a european player? As far as I recall, Malkin didn't speak a lick of english when came over, did he do any interviews back then?

 

[Oilers Propagandist]

I’m just here so I don’t get fined.

 

[Oan]

I’m just here so I don’t get fined.

What if a player of McDavids caliber would just skip all interviews and pay the fines?

 

[txpd]

I don't know all the clauses in these contracts but I would suggest that promotional work and media is required. How much is probably negotiable. There have been players in sports over the years that refuse to talk to sports media and in every case it reflects badly on the player and the franchise.

A team would not choose to employ a player that wont attend team events with fans to promote the team and its causes or to promote the team by talking to the media.

 

[Oan]

A team would not choose to employ a player that wont attend team events with fans to promote the team and its causes or to promote the team by talking to the media.

Even if the said player would be a, let's say, a dominating center lock for 170 points every season in a modern NHL?

 

[txpd]

Even if the said player would be a, let's say, a dominating center lock for 170 points every season in a modern NHL?

I saw that mess first hand when I worked for a MLB team. It was a nightmare.

 

[tny760]

I’m just here so I don’t get fined.

thank you for aksking.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Datsyuk kind of did this. It was always openly joked about that he understood and spoke English on a much higher level then the public really thought. I mean he did media stuff, but I thought he got a bigger pass than the other stars in Detroit. I think to be fair people need to remember a lot of these guys are speaking in a second language and I wouldn't necessarily be comfortable either.

There have been stars that aren't interviewed a lot because they are pretty bland. Heck, think recently when younger players have been intentionally barred by their own organizations from talking. There are a lot of scenarios where this could unfold and it isn't with something deeper behind it.

I think having your star player not be great at or wanting to be front and center media wise isn't the end. You adapt to keep the uber talented guy, they have different rules for a reason, they true superstars are a pretty rare commodity, you lose when you deal them, you have to figure out how to get on the same page and better exhaust all avenues before giving up in my opinion.

 

[valet]

Datsyuk kind of did this. It was always openly joked about that he understood and spoke English on a much higher level then the public really thought. I mean he did media stuff, but I thought he got a bigger pass than the other stars in Detroit. I think to be fair being people need to remember a lot of these guys are speaking in a second language and I wouldn't necessarily be comfortable either.

There have been stars that aren't interviewed a lot because they are pretty bland. Heck, think recently when younger players have been intentionally barred by their own organizations from talking. There are a lot of scenarios where this could unfold and it isn't with something deeper behind it.

I think having your star player not be great at or wanting to be front and center media wise isn't the end. You adapt to keep the uber talented guy, they have different rules for a reason, they true superstars are a pretty rare commodity, you lose when you deal them, you have to figure out how to get on the same page and better exhaust all avenues before giving up in my opinion.

datsyuk is the example that comes to mind for me as well. I can't imagine a guy with his overall level of intelligence not knowing English after a few years in the league, but I also think it's kind of ridiculous that players in major sports leagues are required to do media stuff. I just hate the artificiality of the whole system

 

[BrindamoursNose]

 

[mouser]

datsyuk is the example that comes to mind for me as well. I can't imagine a guy with his overall level of intelligence not knowing English after a few years in the league, but I also think it's kind of ridiculous that players in major sports leagues are required to do media stuff. I just hate the artificiality of the whole system

To be fair, the “media stuff” is often an important element of the business revenue that allows the teams to pay the players as much as they do.

 

[Canadienna]

Didn't Marchand do this in the playoffs last year. Just refused to answer any questions point blank.

Not the same as you meant, but it's what it reminded me of.

I'd be really interested to know just how regulated it is in the contracts. Someone like Domi, who's a natural in the big Montreal market does a lot more than a quieter guy like Weber.

Are they paid (even in part) for these services? Are most guys keen on doing interviews and media pieces for the NHL simply because they know it will help their following?

Good thread, I've often wondered this myself.