The WIAA acknowledges the responsibilities of legitimate news gathering media representatives in covering and reporting from WIAA-sponsored tournaments. We recognize the interest and promotion generated by media coverage and the recognition given to the achievements of school teams and student-athletes. Therefore, the WIAA has established regulations and guidelines to assist media with the requesting/issuing of working media credentials, the use of equipment by news gathering media and WIAA property rights for State Tournament Series competitions.

Any non-editorial, commercial or other unauthorized use of any transmission, internet stream, photo, image, film, videotape, audio tape, play-by-play depiction or description of any competition and/or game action and/or any non-editorial or commercial use of any team school name or logo, is prohibited without written consent of the WIAA.

1.  Media credentials are available only for the news and editorial purposes of legitimate news-gathering organizations, which are media organizations engaged in the regular gathering and timely publication or transmittal with editorial oversight of original, objective news coverage of current events of general interest to the communities served by those organizations. News-gathering organizations eligible for media credentials include, but are not limited to, traditional media organizations such as newspapers, radio stations, television stations, wire services and pool reporters meeting these criteria. As described in the this section, legitimate Internet organizations may also qualify as news-gathering organizations eligible for media credentials. Media of a personal, recruiting or rankings nature, or whose demographic audience are fan-based or focused primarily on one school or a small number of schools do not qualify as news-gathering organizations for purposes of media credentials.

 2.  Credentials are issued by the WIAA to media organizations to provide access for an individual or individuals who have a legitimate working relationship with a legitimate news-gathering organization (as defined herein) in connection with the event for which the credential is issued.

3.  Media credentials and accommodations for regional, sectional and State Tournament competitions are not transferable or for sale or resale under any circumstance.

4.  Credentials for all regional and sectional levels of the Tournament Series will be issued by the tournament manager at the school hosting the event. All media are required to contact the host school athletic director or host tournament manager in advance of the event to make arrangements for credentials. Failure to contact host managers/athletic directors in advance may result in denied media privileges at tournament events.

5.  Requests for credentials must be made in accordance with WIAA policies through a legitimate newspaper, radio/TV station, magazine, Internet site or other recognized news-gathering organizations. Credentials are reserved for adult members of the media only. The WIAA reserves the right to request company letterhead when determined necessary to verify credential requests.

 6.  Credential requests for State Tournaments must be submitted on a completed on-line Credential Request Form located on the restricted media area of the WIAA website. restricted area of the WIAA Media Center Web site. Please submit the form by the published deadlines (see page 5). Email or faxed requests may also be accepted; however, any information or request not provided in an email or fax that pertains to credential requests and accommodations as noted on the “Credential Request Form” will not receive consideration.

7.  By requesting and accepting the use of a WIAA credential, the media organization, its personnel and agents, together agree the bearer of the credential is performing a legitimate working function in attending the event. The credential is for use only in connection with the bearer’s news and editorial coverage of the event.

8.  No credential requests or accommodations will be approved for persons not employed on staff or as freelance by contract of a legitimate media organization. Credentials SHOULD NOT be requested for and will not be granted to coaches, former coaches, family of media, friends of media, or family or and friends of participants not employed by the requesting media organization.

9.  Requests must be received in the WIAA office no later than noon two days before the start of the respective State Tournament event (see “Credential Request Deadlines” section). REQUESTS RECEIVED AFTER DEADLINES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  In addition, no credentials will be issued to media that arrive at State Tournament venues without having verification by the WIAA of a credential request made by the prescribed deadline.

10. Verification of approved media credential requests will be posted on the restricted media area of the WIAA Media Center WIAA website the morning of the credential request deadline date.

11.  Any substitutions of approved credentials must be done by sports directors or editors contacting the WIAA prior to arriving at the State venue at (715) 344-8580.

12.  The WIAA retains the right to confiscate and deny future credentials to any media organization or individual not adhering to WIAA policies or rights fees stated in this manual. Media organizations that violate credential policies are subject to legal liability, as well as all costs incurred in enforcing the terms of these policies, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees.

13.  Permission for cable operators, newspapers, radio stations, television stations or Internet sites in relation to videotaping or transmitting video of Tournament Series events must be done by contacting PlayOn! Sports Midwest When We Were Young Productions (608) 849-3200. Credentials will not be granted to media not receiving clearance from the WIAA through PlayOn! Sports Midwest. WWWY Productions.  

14.  To be considered for a WIAA media credential, Internet organizations must be determined to be a legitimate news-gathering organization and meet the following criteria established by the WIAA:

        A.  The site has demonstrated a history and reputation for covering high school sports on a timely basis.

        B.  Content on the site is original, objective, news-gathering in nature and has editorial oversight. Content must be updated on a daily basis in the form of stories, game stories and updates, comprehensive scores, standings, statistics or streaming (photos, recruitment content, rankings and forums do not, in and of themselves, meet criteria for credentials).

        C.  Site is not a personal page or content and demographic audience is not a fan-based site of one school or a small number of schools.

        D.   Sites with content, forums or advertising (see “Advertising” section) not in compliance with the media policies of the WIAA will not be granted credentials. Internet blogs, forums, tweets and other text depictions or references are permitted and are not subject to rights fees unless they qualify as play-by-play (see “Transmission Terms & Regulations” section for definition) or are not in compliance with the media policies of the WIAA. Play-by-play accounts of WIAA Tournament Series events via text are subject to text transmission rights fees.

15.  Internet sites may be required to submit their Internet address (URL) and certifiable traffic numbers to the WIAA  prior to approval of credential requests.

1.  The WIAA authorizes the number of credentials issued to any media organization. The WIAA media credential is issued to members of legitimate news-gathering organizations that have a professional working function at WIAA State Tournament venues and events. The credential provides access to specified locations, venues and events for which the credential was issued. At certain tournaments, some areas may be restricted for radio, television, news print, Internet sites and photographers.

2.  Credentials must be worn and displayed at all times while at the tournament venue for which the credential is issued.

3.  The transfer, sale or resale of credentials is prohibited and will result in immediate confiscation of credential and/or possible denial of future credentials to individual perpetrators or their affiliated media organization.

4.  The media work areas are available for professional working members of the media. Cheerleading in press boxes and media seating is unprofessional and will not be tolerated. Violators will have their media credentials revoked and be escorted out of the media area or press box by WIAA or security personnel.

5.  Children, spouses and friends of media that are not officially employed by a media outlet are not permitted in media areas during or immediately following contests.  

6.  Any member of the media believed to be intoxicated, under the influence of mood-altering substances or acting in an unprofessional manner will have their media credentials revoked and be escorted out of the media area with possible denial of future credentials to individual perpetrators and/or their affiliated media organization.

7.  A media credential does not allow access to team or participant locker rooms before, during or after any State Tournament competition. Coaches and participants may be available for interviews directly outside the locker rooms.

8.  The WIAA reserves the right to revoke current and deny future credentials to any media organization or individual in violation of any WIAA media policies, failure to pay rights fees or any other provisions of credentials. Media organizations that violate credential policies are subject to legal liability, as well as all costs incurred in enforcing the terms of these policies, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees.

Television (not play-by-play):  For TV stations covering the State Tournament for newscast purposes and not live broadcast, a maximum of two (2) credentials will be issued. An exception of three (3) credentials for TV stations located in the tournament host community will be permitted. Also see “Tournament Transmission Policies.”

Cable Access:  Access for local cable access channels covering the State Tournament events can only be obtained from the WIAA through PlayOn! Sports Midwest. PlayOn! Sports Midwest will make arrangements for WIAA credentials.

Radio:  A maximum of two (2) credentials will be issued to stations doing play-by-play of WIAA Tournament Series events. Any additional credentials must be approved by the WIAA. A maximum of one (1) credential will be issued for filing live reports or not originating any transmissions or reports.

Daily Newspapers:  For daily newspapers, a maximum of four (4) credentials, including photographers, will be issued to papers with a paid circulation of 30,000 or more. Daily papers with more than 20,000 paid circulation may receive a maximum of three (3) credentials if teams in their primary coverage area are participating, and a maximum of two (2) credentials will be issued to dailies with under 20,000 paid circulation.

Weekly Newspapers:  Weekly newspapers may be issued a maximum of two (2) credentials (including photographer) if teams competing are in their primary coverage area. A maximum of one (1) credential will be issued to weekly papers with no competing teams in their primary coverage range. No credential requests or accommodations will be approved for persons not employed on staff or as freelance by contract of a legitimate media organization. Credentials SHOULD NOT be requested for and will not be granted to coaches, former coaches, family of media, friends of media, or family or friends of participants not employed by the requesting media organization.

Internet:  Legitimate news gathering Internet site organizations posting original content and information in a timely (daily)  manner and meeting the definition herein of a legitimate news-gathering organization (see Media Credential Requests & Conditions” section) may receive a maximum of two (2) credentials. Internet sites not meeting these criteria will not be granted credentials. Traditional state, regional, or national media sources (newspapers, radio or television) staffed by full-time employees for their Internet operations may receive a maximum of two credentials if they certify their intent of reporting on WIAA State Tournament events and meet the definition of a legitimate news-gathering organization.

Specific Sports Publications:  Legitimate sport-specific publications may receive a maximum of three (3) credentials for their respective sport’s State Tournament.

Photographers:  Photographers without affiliation to any media organizations (i.e. professionals, yearbooks, etc.) will not be granted media credentials (also see “Photography Provisions” section). Photographers without media affiliation acquiring the use of a School Photographer pass must adhere to all School Photographer guidelines.

Please contact the WIAA with any special media credential requests (715) 344-8580.

The WIAA retains the right to require stations to submit in writing, upon WIAA request, any and all advertisements or sponsorships during a radio, television or internet transmission of WIAA Tournament Series competition.

The WIAA reserves the right to approve or reject any sponsorship or advertisement violative of these policies. For any part or segment of an entire transmission originating from the tournament site, the WIAA strictly prohibits the sponsorship, advertising, selling, encouraging, promoting or condoning of tobacco products, lottery/gambling, alcoholic beverages, mood-altering substances, lewd subject matter, activities that are illegal for minors to engage in, conduct violative of WIAA’s Sportsmanship Reference Guide, or conduct that people of ordinary intelligence would reasonably understand to be inappropriate in the context of interscholastic athletic competition. Businesses with the primary purpose of selling or providing any of these prohibited products or services are also prohibited from advertising on all transmissions throughout the WIAA State Tournament Series. Businesses in which these products or services are available in a secondary capacity may advertise on WIAA Tournament transmissions for their primary business purposes, but may not refer to or advertise those secondary products or services. The WIAA also prohibits the reading of a list that includes prohibited advertisers or sponsors, including the name and/or locations of businesses, products or services on any WIAA Tournament transmission.

Television, radio, print, websites or any other media are prohibited from referring, implying or using words/language that recognizes or identifies a business or organization as an “official sponsor” of any WIAA State Tournament Series event under the auspices of the WIAA. This includes any live video, audio or text transmissions; any printed accounts; any commercials, advertisements or sponsorships; and any references made by writers and broadcasters during Tournament Series events. Television, radio, print, websites and any other media may use language that the tournament coverage or broadcast is sponsored by an advertiser or sponsor.

    The WIAA reserves the right to require two minutes of advertising or promotional inventory to be included in any or
all radio, television and Internet transmissions of WIAA Tournament Series events as determined by the WIAA.

The WIAA reserves the right and responsibility to cancel any and all transmission and transmission rights for an event in progress and subsequent WIAA Tournament events for any station found to have violated the provisions of the WIAA’s advertising policy.

1.  WIAA radio, television, cable and Internet policies relate to transmissions during the WIAA State Tournament Series. There is no WIAA jurisdiction over regular-season radio, television, cable or Internet transmissions of high school interscholastic competition, but school administrators are strongly encouraged to prohibit sponsors for transmissions whose primary business is the sale of tobacco, alcohol, lottery/gambling, mood-altering substances or lewd subject matter.

2.  No fees for regular-season transmissions are required by the WIAA, but local schools and participating teams may wish to require a fee or to recover any expenses incurred (i.e. power, scaffolding, seats lost due to camera positions, tickets sales lost by spectators staying home and watching, etc.).

3.  All radio and Internet audio transmission rights and credential requests for all State Tournaments will be issued by the WIAA. To apply for play-by-play or live report “update” rights for State Tournament events, radio stations and Internet sites must complete and submit the “Media Credential Request Form.” An on-line submittable form is located in the media restricted area of the WIAA Media Center website. Completed forms must be submitted to the WIAA by noon at least two business days before the first day of a given tournament or as outlined in the “Credential Request Deadline” section of this guide. Please review the “Requesting Credentials” section for additional credential request policies.

4.  Media and Internet sites considering transmitting audio, video or textual play-by-play depictions on the Internet must abide by all Internet policies as written in this guide (see “Transmission Terms & Regulations”). There is no fee for live report “updates” of pre-State Tournament events provided no play-by-play is done. There is a $25 fee for live or taped radio reports from State Tournament venues.

5.  The WIAA reserves the right to require two minutes of advertising or promotional inventory to be included in any or all radio, television and Internet transmissions of WIAA Tournament Series events as determined by the WIAA.

6.  By submitting the application for transmission, media and Internet sites agree to abide by all WIAA regulations and policies regarding the transmission of events during the entire WIAA Tournament Series, including the prohibitions on advertising and sponsorships as described in the “Advertising” section.

7.  The WIAA reserves the right to grant, issue, revoke and deny credentials to any media or Internet site organizations based on the reasonable interpretation and intent of these policies. The WIAA and its exclusive rights partners retain the rights to all commercial use of video, audio or textual play-by-play transmitted at a WIAA Tournament Series event. Furthermore, the WIAA possesses the rights to transmit, upload, stream or display content live during WIAA events and reserves the right to grant exclusive and nonexclusive rights on an event-by-event basis.

8.  All “Real-time,” or tape-delayed audio, video or textual transmission of play-by-play is exclusive property of the WIAA and rights-granted entities. Any account/transmission of real-time video, audio or textual play-by-play is prohibited on-site or off-site without consent of the WIAA.

9.  The WIAA also reserves the right to revoke or deny the video, audio or text transmission rights of any media or Internet sites that include in any part of its transmission of WIAA Tournament events­–including pregame and postgame shows–content, comments, advertising, selling, encouraging, promoting or condoning of tobacco products, lottery/gambling, alcoholic beverages, mood-altering substances, lewd subject matter, activities that are illegal for minors to engage in, conduct violative of WIAA’s Sportsmanship Reference Guide, or conduct that people of ordinary intelligence would reasonably understand to be inappropriate in the context of interscholastic athletic competition.

10.  All media and Internet sites transmitting “real-time” text play-by-play action of State Tournament events is considered similar to that of a play-by-play radio or television transmission and are subject to rights fees. Internet blogs, forums, tweets and other text depictions or references are permitted and are not subject to rights fees unless they qualify as play-by-play (see “Transmission Terms & Regulations” section) or are not in compliance with the media policies of the WIAA. Play-by-play accounts of WIAA Tournament Series events via text are subject to text transmission rights fees.

11.  Also, any media transmitting “real-time” video is subject to exclusive video rights agreements and video transmission fees. In addition, any media transmitting “real-time” audio other than that of the fee-paying, rights-granted television and/or video production partner(s) is subject to the audio transmission rights fees.

12.  Internet sites of traditional media (newspaper, radio, television) may be issued credentials, but are not allowed “real-time” or “live” transmission by audio streaming, video streaming or textual play-by-play accounts without consent and rights granted by the WIAA and payment of the respective rights fees.

12.  Media and websites granted permission by the WIAA to transmit “real-time” or delayed audio, video or textual play-by-play are subject to transmission rights and line-usage fees and must adhere to all transmission regulations, fees and advertising policies of the WIAA outlined in this guide.