Athletes and sports media have had a love-hate relationship for decades. On the one hand, the media are directly responsible for spreading news about our sport. This grows the game, expands the market, and leads to more opportunities for athletes. On the other hand, as technology changed and information became instantly available, media coverage increased and stories on elite athletes involved in some kind of scandal now appear often.
But rather than viewing the media as “the bad guys” in your career, think of them as allies. The media present you with significant opportunities for your professional growth and exposure. At the same time, you should be conscious of today’s media-driven age and the professional responsibilities that come with it.