As (Andrea) Kremer tells it, the sideline reporter’s instincts are stifled by a number of factors, most notably the league itself. The N.F.L., citing safety concerns and a coach’s right to privacy, has made it as difficult as possible for the sideline reporter to discover any news. Once a game begins, the sideline reporter is not allowed to enter the bench area.
She cannot even stand near the bench, so she affects constant motion, like a pedestrian walking up and down the boulevard to avoid a loitering charge. Should the sideline reporter overhear an argument between Tony Romo and Terrell Owens, she cannot quote their words directly and must rely on bland terms like “a heated exchange.” If a player limps out of the locker room, she is prohibited from asking him where it hurts. (A popular myth has the sideline reporter gathering injury information; in truth, reports are relayed from team officials.) If the sideline reporter violates any of these rules, she will find herself called before her producer, who himself has already been called before angry representatives from the league.
What this leaves is, well, nothing much.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/sports/playmagazine/0819play-show.html?pagewanted=print
The job would actually get more acclaim if the men in charge actually gave a sh!t.
Since they don't, we think they are unnecessary and do nothing of note, ever.
This has been a very busy season on the “Sunday Night Football” sidelines for NBC Sports reporter Michele Tafoya, who will be in Baltimore tonight covering the Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers matchup.
In the season opener between the Ravens and the Denver Broncos, she reported skillfully on severe weather that delayed the game.
She followed that a week later with more fine work on a lightning delay in Seattle.
Recently, in Week 9, she provided extensive coverage of Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak's collapse as he walked off the field at halftime in a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Tafoya's consistently steady performance in such situations is one of the best arguments going for the importance of sideline reporters. We talked to her about the season and tonight's prime-time game.
NBC Sports' Michele Tafoya on the importance of sideline reporters - Baltimore Sun
For nearly 40 years there have been sideline reporters, and I doubt that initial reporters were denigrated and dismissed by their other male colleagues, but now we just see them a pretty faces--which is how their producers make sure to present that way, too--which would not be the case if we actually had people who actually cared about making the role more integral, as opposed to what CBS has done.
Another example:
I think we saw the role of the sideline reporter and how it's so important and how it's used this year specifically, starting with the Super Bowl and the lights go out -- that's when the sideline reporter earns their money; that's when they really need to be on."
Intercollegiate Athletic Forum: Tracy Wolfson Defends The Importance Of Sideline Reporters - SportsBusiness Daily | SportsBusiness Journal | SportsBusiness Daily Global
Their impact is muted by their producers and higher-ups, so they are left with very little. Honestly, I could do without a LOT of the color guys, as most of them are ex-jocks, who are generally imbeciles.