In the new age of erasing diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Denver Nuggets organization has done its part in advancing that agenda. By not allowing the Black-owned press to be a part of its media coverage of Denver Nuggets basketball, the organization has done a disservice to the Black community.

The Denver Sports Report, as the sports arm of the Denver Weekly News - Denver’s leading Black weekly newspaper - has provided unparalleled sports coverage in Denver for over three decades. After coverage of the Nuggets preseason games in Abu Dhabi by the Denver Sports Report, the Denver Nuggets public relations department stated that they would not allow the media outlet to cover Denver Nuggets regular season games at Ball Arena.

Over the years, the Denver Sports Report has provided sports news stories that, in many instances, would not be covered by other media outlets or in the Nugget’s own media releases. News coverage that goes beyond the scores, or wins and losses, that concern the Black community and even the players and coaches in a predominantly black league.

When controversial events - or outside of sports that impact its players - happen within the sports world, the Black press is needed most to uncover those events and facilitate the complete accounting. Instances such as the protest over the killing of Black youth and the observance of the national anthem at games. The origins of which, coincidentally, were rooted much earlier in Denver with the Nuggets. It started with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, formerly Chris Jackson. The third overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft had his home burned down in Mississippi after his protest of not honoring The Star Spangled Banner. Reactions to these types of stories can be told differently to Black reporters and outlets than to their counterparts.  

In this generation, the plight of African Americans in sports still exists. With the arrival of Caitlin Clark as the face of the franchise in Indiana, race relations have again come to the forefront. An entire WNBA team faced threats aimed at its black players last season. “I think in my 11-year career, I’ve never experienced the racial comments (like I have) from the Indiana Fever fan base,” said the Connecticut Suns’ Alyssa Thomas after their series against Indiana. “I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it. Basketball is headed in a great direction. But we don’t want fans that are going to degrade us and call us racial names.”

Other sports franchises, specifically in Denver and around sports, recognize the importance of including the Black Press in their coverage. This past season Major League Baseball played its first regular season game at Rickwood Field in Alabama, honoring the Negro Leagues and the late, great Willie Mays. It was the same season the Negro League statistics were merged into the record books of Major League Baseball. The Denver Sports Report was on site to report on that historic event for the Denver Weekly News and the National Sports Report and National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which reaches 200 minority weekly newspapers nationwide.

For decades, the Denver Broncos have supported Denver’s leading Black newspaper, providing full access to all games, including the international games in London, England. Under the late Pat Bowlen’s ownership, it was highlighted that the minority newspaper should be included in the Broncos’ coverage in Denver.

Likewise, the Colorado Rockies have supported the Denver Sports Report/Denver Weekly News since its inauguration in 1993. In their most recent international games in Mexico City last season, the Denver Sports Report was one of the only Denver sports-based outlets on hand.

Not long after the Rockies international games, the Denver Nuggets played their preseason games in Abu Dhabi. After those games, the Nuggets PR department decided not to let the Denver Sports Report attend Nuggets basketball for coverage at Ball Arena. Of the several points given for declining coverage, it went from the displeasure of the coverage to not using the “X” social media site owned by Elon Musk. “With the increased amount of qualified outlets requesting to cover and, a shortage of room media seats, we are unable to grant credentials to your outlet,” wrote Nick O’Hayre of the Nuggets.

After having covered the Nuggets since 1996, in light of the revelation, the Denver Sports Report suspended coverage of the Denver Nuggets sports moving forward. Some of the past coverage can still be seen on the website www.sportsreportnet.com.

The Nuggets decision, which came after the live coverage of the Abu Dhabi Games, cited the coverage did not meet their expectations. The Denver Sports Report coverage included six posts, three articles, three photo galleries, a live pregame report on location in Abu Dhabi on 104.3 FM The Fan, and an interview on ESPN Netherlands. The Denver Sports Report was the only Denver media outlet on hand for the game’s press conference questions asked of the coaches and players in Abu Dhabi.

Dating back to 1827, the Black press has been an integral part of the enlightenment of the Black community and, in many instances, has been the only source of representation in its culture. Throughout its history, the Black Press has been a valuable commodity. Historically, some of the most significant contributors to the Black Press included the likes of Frederick Douglas, Langston Hughes, Mary McCloud Bethune, and Ida B. Wells Barnett. The time-honored tradition continues today despite attempts to silence many great writers or ban significant contributions. The fight for equity and inclusion continues and should not be taken for granted.

Link to the original post suspending coverage of the Denver Nuggets can be found at:

https://blogging.godaddy.com/blog/ba1a61ad-ee64-4db3-8169-9f6719cb4517/posts/303576ca-9f36-4ed6-9a5a-f5d67a07ee55

https://www.denverweeklynews.com/post/denver-nuggets-media-credential-controversy

‍