Overview
- After No. 4 UCLA beat No. 19 Ohio State 82–75, Close said only one reporter, Los Angeles–based Benjamin Royer, requested postgame comments.
- The Associated Press said it assigned freelancer Nicole Kraft, who attended and filed a no-quote recap on deadline before heading to cover the Blue Jackets, aligning with AP practices for quick gamers.
- Front Office Sports reported there was no formal UCLA availability in the press room, while Ohio State–focused outlets prioritized the home team’s session.
- Local presence did exist: SB Nation’s Thomas Costello and NBC4’s David DeGuzman were on site, with both noting lighter turnout that day and some attention shifting to Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl obligations.
- Coverage situated the episode within broader strains on sports desks and the women’s game’s growth, with analysts warning that inconsistent access can hinder player visibility and related opportunities.