Serving Kentucky's Schools and Student Athletes Since 1917

Media Credentials


Credentials Applications Open for the following Events



KHSAA CHAMPIONSHIP CREDENTIAL GUIDELINES

Credentials to each KHSAA State Championship event are issued by the KHSAA to working members of the media who regularly cover high school athletics in accordance with adopted policies and procedures. Credentials must be requested prior to the established deadline for each sport through the online credentialing system.

OWNERSHIP OF MEDIA AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 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.
  • In addition, the KHSAA is in a long-term agreement with the NFHS Network as the sole source of distribution of the webcast.
  • As such, the KHSAA is the only entity permitted to originate a live broadcast during the Sweet 16® (this includes the use of social media streaming platforms such as Facebook Live by media members).

CREDENTIAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES

  • Credentials should be requested by the sports editor/director for all members of their 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.
  • Media outlets are responsible for the actions of all individuals representing their organization, including compliance with KHSAA policies and procedures at the event under the direction of designated staff.
  • No credentials will be issued outside of the online credentialing system.
  • The KHSAA reserves the right to limit the number of credentials issued to media outlets at these two events when space is considered to be 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.

GENERAL CREDENTIAL ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION POLICIES

  • 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);
  • In all cases where there is consideration as to whether or not to credential an outlet, the level of regular season interscholastic coverage will be considered when applications are reviewed;
  • The distribution of credentials is conducted using the following priorities:
    • Daily newspapers and wire services;
    • Statewide media (TV, etc.);
    • Media covering specific teams on a regular basis;
    • Regional media;
    • All other outlets (non-broadcast radio, weekly media, etc.).
  • Due to space limitations, full tournament credentials are not issued to non-daily newspapers or to non-broadcasting radio stations with no specific coverage teams;
  • Non-originating radio stations from the markets of participating teams will be issued a maximum of two credentials and will be assigned to the auxiliary media seating area;
  • 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), Nielsen Audio (formerly Arbitron) ratings numbers or similar information (broadcast), page views/hits (online entities);
  • Credentials may be issued on a limited basis to valid websites that report timely results and have regularly covered and promoted interscholastic events.
  • Credentials 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;
  • Athletic recruiting promotion organizations or media outlets that can be construed as primarily recruiting publications will not be issued media credentials;
  • A credential grants the bearer, and only the bearer, access to KHSAA events, and does not include admission for children and family members;
  • Media passes will not be issued to persons under 18 years of age (with the exception of the single school media pass issued in compliance with student media policies as detailed);
  • Credentials 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;
  • Media members are expected to act professionally and objectively at all times, and cheering or cheerleading during an event is strictly prohibited and can result in removal from the press area;
  • 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 in compliance with published guidelines;
  • Each team advancing to a state championship event can be represented by one broadcast team (radio or online), which will be designated by the participating school’s principal and will be considered TEAM RADIO in accordance with these policies;
  • Media members may be held responsible for any lost or damaged KHSAA property issued to credentialed media at events (e.g., media vests); 
  • The KHSAA reserves the right to grant or deny any requests on an individual basis;
  • By accepting your credential you agree to all KHSAA terms and conditions.

MEDIA OUTLET PHOTOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHERS

  • Photography passes are provided to accredited news media outlets that meet the credentialing policies in conjunction with print and television outlets and their directly affiliated websites.
  • Media outlet photography passes do not include the rights to sell the photographs unless sold by the outlet as part of its normal business procedures.

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHERS

  • Commercial and freelance photographers can obtain fee-based credentials, space permitting, by purchasing a limited rights license.
  • 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 these games 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.

SCHOOL MEDIA

  • In an effort to assist its member schools with obtaining archival information about the school participation, and in an effort to support education curriculum opportunities for students desiring to enter journalism in any form, school media passes are available through the online system/
  • Each participating team can be represented by one designated faculty or staff member to shoot photography.
  • Any faculty or staff member approved for photography may not allow any sales of the photography to any individual and if sales are provided, the applicant should apply as a commercial photographer.
  • Each participating team can have student media representatives apply for student media credentials and verification will be made by the school as to the legitimate curriculum and school interest in the approval.
  • These credentials will not as a matter of practice be provided to these individuals not connected to a participating team.
  • Any student media credential approved for media access other than photography will be assigned seating in the auxiliary seating area with other media representatives, and only for the games involving that school.
  • Any student media credential approved for photography may not allow any sales of the photography to any individual and if sales are provided, the applicant should apply as a commercial photographer.
  • Individuals granted photographer access will have access in the same manner as other media outlets, including restrictions to courtside press row access.

WEBCASTING/VIDEO STREAMING

  • KHSAA.tv is the exclusive home for video webcasts of all KHSAA state championship events.
  • Live video webcasts of all games will be available at KHSAA.tv through the NFHS Network (https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/), which is a subscription-based service.
  • Subscription plans for the NFHS Network are available for $11.99 a month or $79.99 per year.
  • A monthly subscription entitles users to every broadcast by the KHSAA and the more than 40 participating state associations.
  • The NFHS Network also has an app for iOS users (NFHS Network Live in the Apple store) or for Android devices (NFHS Network) in the Google Play store.
  • All webcasts are produced by the KHSAA in partnership with First String Media and PrepSpin

– KHSAA –


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