USC Football: Ex-Trojans Reporter Criticizes How Team's Media Treatment Has Changed
In a story that's been well documented by now, USC beat reporter for the Orange County Register Luca Evans was recently stripped of his credentials and barred from attending practices for two weeks at the request of the university.
Doing a story on a player's ability to deal with the pressure of being both a college athlete and shyness he's dealt with in his life, fellow reporters have come to defend Evans and criticize the university's accessibility with the media, not just with Riley.
Seemingly a school issue rather than just Riley's personality, though several have come to criticize the head coach's role in such an issue, the fear that journalists have in terms of approaching the team is not a good look for the university.
Though the athletic achievements are the main draw to readers interested in the team, Evan's own perspective to capture the athletes as people should be aspired in all realms of sports media.
While rules and regulations may be in place for the university, lack of detail and a brash personality from Riley fails to paint and accurate picture and has made many in the world of sports journalism side with Evans on the matter.
Recent news has come out that both Riley and Evans have now agreed to lift the suspension on the young reporter, but the fact that such happened in the first place remains an issue for a team with bigger goals ahead.
As a national championship should be the goal, media access is sure to come with a big football market, especially one with as big of an audience as Los Angeles as a whole.
If Riley's own selfish mentality remains focused on reporters rather than his product on the field, it could doom USC's title hopes once again in 2023.
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