It is not an accident that you are seeing more in-uniform interviews from NFL players this season. Here’s why: Last May, the NFL broadcasting department sent out a memo on the topic to the league’s chief executives, club presidents, general managers, head coaches and public relations directors. The memo outlined access changes for the NFL’s television partners after a review between the league and its media rights holders. The shared goal? To enhance the game content that we see as NFL viewers.

The key additions, as per the memo:

• In-game coach interviews for all games;
• Pregame player interviews for all games;
• Network pregame locker room coverage;
• Preseason player interviews;
• Coaches’ booth network cameras.

I’ll give you an example of how this has manifested itself for viewers so far. During the opening-week broadcast between the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots, CBS sideline reporter Evan Washburn interviewed Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow right before kickoff. Home clubs must make a high-profile player available for pre-kick interviews in full uniform as part of the new broadcast access rules. (There are limits to the amount of interviews each player does with a network during the season, so it’s not one player doing it each week.)

“It always hits differently when you hear a player tell you things in his own voice,” said CBS Sports producer Ken Mack, who produces the CBS NFL team of Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Washburn. “When Joe Burrow told Evan Washburn about how he ‘got a little emotional yesterday’ in the moments before the Bengals opener, it felt like it brought the audience closer to the player.”

“Got a little emotional yesterday, but I’m ready to go. Excited for it.”

Our @EvanWashburn caught up with @Bengals QB Joe Burrow before his first game in nearly 10 months pic.twitter.com/urkhZwGGpQ

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 8, 2024

The new access policy says clubs must make the head coach or either offensive or defensive coordinator available for in-game, on-camera interviews. The time slots are agreed upon between each club and the televising network prior to game day, and the home team has the first choice of interview timing between the end of first quarter, halftime, or the end of the third quarter. There are limits to the number of questions each coach can get (two) and where they take place.

NBC “Sunday Night Football” lead producer Rob Hyland said his broadcast has taken advantage of the new access initiatives. Through the first three games of the season, SNF has interviewed Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud prior to kickoff.

“We’ve also connected with each head coach, either at the start or end of halftime,” Hyland said. “One of Sunday Night Football’s stated goals is to take the viewer somewhere they have never been. Having the opportunity to speak with a player moments before kickoff or a head coach at halftime provides an additional layer of access for our audience that we believe adds to the overall viewer experience. Fans want to be as close to the stars of the game as possible.”

Jim Harbaugh handed out blue-collar shirts to his @chargers team to send a message.

Our @tracywolfson caught up with Derwin James about it just before kickoff. pic.twitter.com/j4nIYplKA1

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 8, 2024

You might have also noticed footage from the locker room coverage prior to the game. That’s part of the new access deal too. Per the memo: “When requested by televising network, clubs must record and share at least 20 seconds of pregame locker room footage or content with televising network each game. Recording must occur between conclusion of pregame warmups and 15 minutes prior to kickoff, with the Club having final approval on footage to be aired on broadcast.”

There are many NFL game days where you will see viewer complaints on social media about in-game interviews. The criticism usually revolves around the idea that coaches or players don’t provide insight or little is gleaned from the responses. Sure, sometimes that is valid criticism. But there are moments when viewers do get the occasional gem and insight. It’s why the networks will always support this: There is value in showing your viewers that you have unique access to the main people competing in the event.

“When a coach gives your reporter (and by extension your audience) insight into the team’s mindset at a crucial point in the game, that can be illuminating,” Mack said. “During that same Week 1 broadcast, Evan talked to (New England coach) Jerod Mayo at the start of the second quarter when the Patriots faced a third-and-goal from the Cincinnati 4-yard line. The conversation pushed the game’s storyline forward. Mayo’s forecast of continued aggressive play was borne out on the next play when the Patriots scored a touchdown to take the lead.”

Added Hyland: “Why wouldn’t you want fresh information from the individuals directly impacting the game? Hearing from the coaches and players in-game is something we will continue to showcase. On the rare occasion where some might think there isn’t much information gleaned, body language and non-verbal cues during the interview can be very telling and add to the story of what’s happening in the game.”

(Photo of Amazon “Thursday Night Football” sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung interviewing Buffalo Bills cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram (left) and running back James Cook after their game last week: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)

The WNBA has gotten unprecedented attention this year, which has led to much more criticism of its players.

Members of the Chicago Sky said they had never received so much hate and harassment until this season.

“I’ll be honest, it was tough. It was really tough,” Dana Evans said Thursday night after their season finale. “We’re professionals. We know that we can play this game, but when you’ve got people that’s steady bashing you that’s supposed to be our supporters, I feel like that was a little slap in the face. 

“That was kind of hard to deal with. It was really disgusting.

“But I always say God does not make mistakes, and this season challenged my mental to another level. And I feel like I’m going to be so much better next season just mentally, prepared for everything.”

Her teammate, Isabelle Harrison, held back tears while discussing the “bigotry and racism” she’s seen on social media.

“I’ve never experienced this much hate and harassment, this entire season.” Harrison said. “I get emotional about it. … It’s hard because it should have never been like that. You just want to play basketball. If it’s online, it’s online. But you now get tagged in it. I’m constantly having to block people, and people are just making narratives about you. It’s hurtful. And it’s hard to just focus on basketball. 

Chicago Sky forward Isabelle Harrison reacts after a foul is called June 16, 2024, during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Jacob Musselman/For IndyStar/USA Today Network)

FEVER PLAYERS CREDIT CAITLIN CLARK WITH POPULARITY SURGE AFTER RECORD WNBA CROWD: ‘WE APPRECIATE HER FOR THIS’

“I appreciate the new eyes, but if this comes with hate and bigotry and racism and even people that look like me bashing me, keep it offline because it’s so hurtful, and you don’t know how that affects people. I just think that’s something that a lot of new fans should be mindful of, and we don’t want that to carry into the locker room.

“You just try to stay away from it,” she added. “Even when you’re off it, it still happens. I get so much support from it, as well, but when you get so much negativity, and you have a job to do … you just have to block it out.”

Sky rookie phenom Angel Reese earlier this month said she has been the victim of “racism” and “death threats,” notably by fans of Caitlin Clark. But Evans said even Sky fans have been critical of the team.

“If you’re going to support the Sky, support the Sky,” she said. “I feel like that was a big issue. It messes with your mental. I don’t care how good you are or what’s going on. You’re gonna see stuff, you’re gonna read stuff. But this, it made us better and a lot stronger up here.”

Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans dribbles the ball June 16, 2024, during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Jacob Musselman/USA Today Network)

The Sky missed out on the playoffs, finishing 10th in the 12-team league. The top eight teams make the postseason.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

He’s a unicorn. A once-in-a-generation talent. A two-way superstar who has never met a record he cannot break.

Shohei Ohtani continuously delivers surprises and delights fans, reaching new heights after joining the star-studded Dodgers lineup. He created the 50-50 club, becoming the first MLB player to record 50 stolen bases and 50 home runs in a single season.

In the new book “Ohtani’s Journey,” the Los Angeles Times’ award-winning staff take readers behind the scenes of Ohtani’s path from a rural town in northern Japan to success as an MLB pitcher and hitter in Anaheim before reaching unprecedented heights with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 160-page hardcover book, which sells for $45, is now available for pre-order, with shipping scheduled to begin on Dec. 9. If you go to the L.A. Times online shop, you can pre-order the book at a discounted price of $38 for a limited time.