[Weirdad]

I agree with you there--he can buy a ticket and write about the game all he wants. But if they had rules about personal cameras, like some venues do, he might not be able to do photos unless he is considered "real" press.

I think they mean, for example, locker room coverage, or sitting in the press booth, or access to the coach at halftime. I don't think those items have to be given to just any Tom Dick or Harry that wants them. He's gone below the relevance and credibility threshold and does not need to be given any more consideration than some kid's pretend newspaper that he hands out to relatives, so they are now ignoring him.

[Melas]

I think they mean, for example, locker room coverage, or sitting in the press booth, or access to the coach at halftime. I don't think those items have to be given to just any Tom Dick or Harry that wants them. He's gone below the relevance and credibility threshold and does not need to be given any more consideration than some kid's pretend newspaper that he hands out to relatives, so they are now ignoring him.

Maybe you're right about that. However if that's what they meant, they should have done a better job explaining it.

I don't know about the credibility threshold. I don't think I'll ever be comfortable with a paper's credibility tied solely to who the paper endorses in a political race. I'm just not wired that way.