In his fourth season coaching the Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders has taken media restrictions to an absolute extreme, clamping down on reporting from open practices in a way that has everyone scratching their heads. This isn’t just a little bit of control; we’re talking full-blown information blackout.
No Reporting, No Doubts: Colorado’s Media Iron Curtain
Seriously, folks, it’s wild. According to David Ubben of The Athletic, practices for the Buffaloes came with some super tight strings attached for reporters. An email, which Tony Farmer apparently posted in full, laid out the law, and it’s crystal clear: you see it, you don’t say it. The message from Colorado was unmistakable: “Nothing observed at practice may be reported, published, posted, broadcast or otherwise shared in any form, on any platform, at any time.” How much clearer can you get? And just in case anyone thought they could find a loophole, the email added a kicker that basically eliminated any wiggle room: “If you are uncertain whether something is reportable, the answer is that it is not.” That’s not just strict, that’s a total muzzle. It means even if you *think* it’s benign, you better keep your lips sealed or risk the consequences.
Phones Gone, Access Revoked: The Steep Price of Admission
But the restrictions didn’t stop at just telling you what you couldn’t report. Oh no. Anyone, be it media or fan, who showed up to these open practices had to surrender their phones. Think about that for a second! In today’s world, that’s a huge ask, proving just how serious the Buffaloes are about controlling the narrative. And if you dare to cross them? The penalties are severe. The email spelled it out: “Violations of these guidelines may result in removal from the facility, revocation of credentials and restriction of future access for the individual and the outlet, consistent with CU Athletics media policies.” That’s not just a slap on the wrist; that’s career-threatening for reporters. It’s a statement that Colorado is playing for keeps when it comes to keeping practice details under wraps.
Now, yeah, most college practices are closed. We know that. So, in theory, any access is better than none, right? But these extreme measures raise some serious questions. What are they so worried about getting out? What kind of early team insights or player developments are they trying to shield from public view during this crucial pre-season period? The source mentions the big risk here: Colorado could intensely scrutinize anything that somehow “trickles in.” It feels like a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where media and fans are left wondering what secrets the Buffaloes are so desperate to keep.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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