NHL Locks Out Media

The NHL plans to close all teams’ locker rooms to media due to coronavirus concens.

As the virus, officially known as COVID-19, continues to spread, the league is expected to send out a memo Monday instructing teams to close their rooms. All media access would be conducted by scrums and news conferences outside the rooms.

According to The Tampa Bay Times, some teams, including the Wild, Hurricanes, Flames and Rangers, closed their locker rooms Saturday in advance of the memo. The league left it up to individual teams for now. Those playing games this weekend need both teams to agree to close their rooms. The Lightning’s and Bruins’ rooms remained open for their game Saturday night.

Closing the locker rooms limits the players’ access to five to 25 members of the media on a given game night, depending on the market. The Lightning have about 10 external media members in their locker room after home games.

Addressing reporters in Sunrise, commissioner Gary Bettman said decisions are currently being made on the team level but the league is looking into a league-wide policy. He also said any changes will be temporary, due only to the coronavirus.

The league has already recommended players avoid physical contact with fans. The NHL has also discontinued work travel outside North America.