UConn’s Paige Bueckers, AP’s college women’s basketball player of the year, March 21, 2021.
AP Photo / Eric Gay
Doug Feinberg’s access to newsmakers in women’s basketball paid off with powerful multiplatform coverage of AP’s coach and player of the year, including video that has topped a half-million views and counting.
Feinberg, the preeminent sports writer in women’s hoops, continues to separate AP’s coverage from the competition. While anchoring coverage of the women’s NCAA Tournament, Feinberg was able to get the parents of University of Maryland’s Brenda Frese to surprise her with the coach of the year news via a Zoom call during a team practice, with AP video recording the moment. And he arranged for UConn coach Geno Auriemma to surprise Bueckers, presenting her with the player of the year award in front of the team.
Said AP Global Sports Editor Michael Giarrusso: “It’s (Doug’s) source-building that gets us this kind of access. Everyone is sharing the video ... including some of our biggest customers and competitors.”