01/27/17 – Winter Sports Championship Credentials

January 27, 2017 2016-2017 News Releases

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The KHSAA’s online media credentialing system for the Winter Sports Championships (Bowling, Wrestling and Swimming) is now live, and can be accessed by going to credentials.khsaa.org.

Credentials to each KHSAA state championship event are issued by the KHSAA to working members of the media that regularly cover high school athletics. Credentials must be requested prior to the established deadline for each sport through the online credentialing system (credentials.khsaa.org).

Credentials should be requested by the sports editor/director for all members of his/her organization needing to attend an event. Credentials for freelance photographers and stringers must be requested by the sports editor/director at the outlet the freelancer will be representing. No credentials will be issued outside of the online credentialing system. The KHSAA reserves the right to limit the quantity of credentials issued to media outlets when space is at a premium.

Failure to adhere to the KHSAA policies and guidelines, as well as unauthorized use of the media credential, will result in the revocation of the credential and non-issuance of future passes.

DISTRIBUTION POLICY
1 – Credentials will be provided to established and recognized media outlets that cover high school athletics on a regular basis (including, but not limited to, timely reports of regular season competitions);
2 – No athletic recruiting organizations or media outlets that can be construed as recruiting publications will be credentialed;
3 – Media passes will not be issued to persons under 18 years of age (with the exception of a School Media Pass);
4 – Passes may be revoked at any time for behavior deemed inappropriate for the intended use of the pass, including transferring a credential to someone other than its intended recipient, or using the pass to help others gain access to an event. A credential grants the bearer, and only the bearer, access to KHSAA events, and does not include admission for children and family members;
5 – Media members are expected to act professionally and objectively at all times. Cheering or cheerleading during an event is strictly prohibited and can result in removal from the press area;
6 – At any time, the KHSAA may request proof of a media outlets’ legitimacy. To help the KHSAA protect access to its events, media members applying for credentials may be asked to provide samples of their work as well as information such as circulation numbers (newspapers/magazines), Aribtron Ratings numbers or similar information (broadcast), page views/hits (online entities);
7 – Freelance photographers not working for an accredited media outlet will be treated as Commercial Photographers, and will only gain access to an event by paying the media rights fee for the event in question;
8 – Each team advancing to a state championship event can be represented by one (1) broadcast team (radio or online), which will be designated by the participating school’s principal;
9 – Schools are permitted one (1) School Media Pass at each championship event, which is limited to students or full-time staff members at the participating school.

The distribution of credentials is conducted using the following priorities:
1. Daily Newspapers and Wire Services;
2. Statewide Media (TV, etc.);
3. Media Covering Specific Teams on a Regular Basis;
4. Regional Media;
5. All Other Outlets (Non-Broadcast Radio, weekly media, etc.).
Credentials may be issued on a limited basis to valid websites that report timely results. They are not issued to message board websites or to websites that do not regularly contain Kentucky-based high school regular season content throughout the year. The KHSAA reserves the right to grant or deny any requests on an individual basis.

OWNERSHIP OF RIGHTS
The intellectual property, corporate, broadcasting and media rights to all State championship rounds of the KHSAA postseason championships belong exclusively to the KHSAA, including titling agreements and sponsorships. As such, the KHSAA is the only entity permitted to originate a live broadcast during state championship events (this includes the use of social media streaming platforms such as Periscope and Facebook Live by media members).

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography passes are provided to accredited news media outlets in conjunction with print outlets and affiliate websites. Commercial and freelance photographers can obtain fee-based credentials, space permitting. Information regarding rights fee payments will be confirmed through the online credentialing system.

While photographers own the intellectual rights to individual photos, the KHSAA owns the intellectual property rights to all state championship events; therefore photos taken during the events are not for resale by individuals unless the requisite media rights fee has been paid by commercial photographers. By accepting your credential you agree to all KHSAA terms and conditions. The KHSAA reserves the right to deny credentials to commercial and freelance photographers who do not agree to these terms and conditions. Failure to abide by the KHSAA’s policies and procedures could result in having your credential revoked and a loss of access to future events.

– KHSAA –

The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies and the public. For a list of those blogs, go to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/news-and-information/sports-blogs/

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