Well, the thing they can't ignore is numbers. So, if you can provide them with proof of a sufficient number of people visiting your site then they will probably want to get on board. I'm not sure, in this instance, that it's a credibility issue.
They probably just don't think you draw a big enough audience to justify the trouble of sending out a press release. The big question is why is this important to you? Do you just want to cut and paste press releases?
You can still cover news without getting the press releases directly. Many times press releases like that are available on the organizations own website. Maybe instead of getting them to send you some, what do you think about going out and grabbing them yourself?
The thing your site has to provide is a unique or better way of looking at sports. That won't come through posting press releases. That all lies in editorial decision-making.
Which stories do you post? What type of language are you using when reporting them on your site? The answers to these questions are the key to hooking people on your site, as opposed to any other.
While audience size isn't necessarily the best measure of credibility, the market is so flooded that nobody has time to use any other metric. Your site does look very well done, but there is one issue. The photos are all of varying quality.
Some are too pixelated to make out. Others are clear. In other spots there are placeholders saying "No Photo Available."
While the rest of your site looks professional, I would imagine it would send the wrong message to the organizations you're trying to court. Professionalism is all in those little details. They are important.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.