The No. 1 ranked team in college baseball’s preseason poll, the Texas A&M Aggies, has adopted restrictive media policies concerning player access. Following their season opener, a 4-2 victory over Elon, reporters covering the team are finding their access contingent upon wins and losses.
As stated in the media policies on Texas A&M’s website, players “will not be made available following a loss.” This policy was highlighted by Sam Khan Jr., a college football writer for The Athletic, in a social media post over the weekend, noting, “This is a first in my years of covering college sports: Texas A&M baseball’s media policy states that players won’t be made available for interviews after losses.” He further inquired if other reporters have encountered similar practices elsewhere.
This is a first in my years of covering college sports: Texas A&M baseball’s media policy states that players won’t be made available for interviews after losses.
It’s currently on their web site: https://t.co/cNhkvpnjSi
Any reporters out there experience this elsewhere?
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) February 15, 2025
This kind of policy is detrimental to everyone involved: it obstructs the media’s ability to cover the team accurately, limits fans’ access to player insights, and hinders players, many of whom aspire to professional careers and will need to handle interviews regardless of game outcomes. Khan noted this approach mirrors a trend he’s observed with Texas A&M football previously offering less access compared to other programs.
Disclaimer: I don’t cover college baseball, but this was brought to my attention by someone on the local A&M beat. I don’t know why A&M took this step.
But it aligns with a trend I’ve seen in recent years of A&M offering less access (at least in football) than its counterparts.
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) February 15, 2025
This move by the Aggies could be deemed rather Bush League, especially since if their ranking reflects their true performance level, they shouldn’t have to worry about giving too many interviews after losses.
