# Why do sportswriters ask questions that require tampering? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 7, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sportswriters-ask-questions-that-require-tampering/577475 "2011-04-07T00:25:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sportswriters-ask-questions-that-require-tampering/577475/1 "2011-04-07T00:25:06Z")
Why do sportswriters ask GMs questions, especially in football, that require that the GM commit tampering, if he wants to give an honest answer? ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sportswriters-ask-questions-that-require-tampering/577475/2 "2011-04-07T04:23:59Z")
Tampering? ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sportswriters-ask-questions-that-require-tampering/577475/3 "2011-04-07T04:46:53Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Why do sportswriters ask GMs questions, especially in football, that require that the GM commit tampering, if he wants to give an honest answer? You mean talk about a trade or signing that’s not finalized yet? Can you give an example? If I were to speculate, it’s because they’re always trying to get as many hints or baits as they can to fill up their twitter feed. That’s part of their job. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sportswriters-ask-questions-that-require-tampering/577475/4 "2011-04-07T05:19:10Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Tampering? Talking about players on others teams that are still under contract. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sportswriters-ask-questions-that-require-tampering/577475/5 "2011-04-07T13:07:46Z")
During certain time periods, a team will have exclusive rights to negotiate with their own player for a contract extension. An opposing GM saying publicly that they would want to sign said player is considered tampering with those exclusive rights. The writers are just trying to get a scoop for their column, but it doesn’t make the question any less ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sportswriters-ask-questions-that-require-tampering/577475/6 "2011-04-07T15:18:06Z")
Because the fans want to know. If next fall your team has a need for a first baseman, you will want to know if they’ll go after Albert Pujols. The fans want that question answered, so the reporter asks. That’s his job. The GM just gives a vague answer (i.e, “We’re always interested in top talent, but we are still formulating our plans.”). That’s his job.