Ines Sainz and NY Jets both at fault

This whole Ines Sainz debacle has spun way out of control. This incident brings to light the power of good looking females and a typical sports locker room.

Sainz is a sports reporter for TV Azteca in Mexico. Just a week ago, she visited Jets practice to do a story on the team and grab a couple of interviews including quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Obviously she demands attention. She’s young, pretty and has many nice features—features that males will obviously respond to.

But she also brings a lot of it on herself. She posted this picture on her twitter page. This isn’t of her interviewing an athlete, promoting her station or even showing off the Jets new stadium. It is of her, showing off her back side—of course attracting attention.

Sainz used this episode to gain popularity. She was interviewed by dozens of television stations and newspapers. She was on every network morning show. Sainz told NBC’s Today show that, “I must say that I don’t hear anything that is in a sexual way. I’m not the one who say the charge or try to involve all of the team in this situation.”

To her credit, she didn’t file any charges or lash out after the “incident.” But there’s no question she has used the airtime to her advantage.

Clearly what the Jets players and coaches reportedly did and said were not appropriate. Ideally Sainz came into the locker room, got a couple interviews and then heads out. It’s not only uncomfortable for her but also the players. While in the locker room, she tweeted – “I’m dying of discomfort! I am in the Jets Locker room waiting for Mark Sanchez, while trying not to look anywhere!”

Athletes in the NBA are no different. When a female walks in, there is usually some low-key hooting and hollering. Attractive or not. The guys get bored, and love to clown on one another. They often will do so by shouting out something like “I see you boy, get it Derek,” for example if Derek was being interviewed by a female. It’s not as much about who she is, but who she chooses to interview.

It’s a little different in the WNBA. They understand it is a part of the business and they need media attention. The staff does a great job bringing attention to the players that media is coming in. The players then realize to remain dressed or in a robe. They are free to shower and get dressed once the locker room is closed and the media is out.

Sarah Melton, the Dallas Mavericks media relations director not only respects the players, but demands respect in return. She obviously is very familiar with the Maverick players because she deals with them everyday. Whenever she enters the locker room, she announces it so everyone is aware by saying “female in locker room.”

The Jets players are clearly at fault. But most other professional teams would probably be no different—although there is absolutely no reason for it. Female members of the media are trying to do their job, just like their counterparts. They shouldn’t feel out of place or uncomfortable in the locker room. But they do.

However Ines Sainz shares the blame. I have never met her and am not familiar with her work—but what I have seen is deemed more for Entertainment Tonight.

At last year’s Super Bowl, she was strutting around in an attractive outfit, measuring players’ biceps. Then later had Colts player’s Michael Toudouze and Charlie Johnson lift her onto their shoulders. I understand media and players alike try to enjoy media day and do some wild things, but I find it difficult to take Sainz serious.