History & Background
Years prior to the establishment of the Media Advisory Committee, the WIAA offered an annual “State of the Association” presentation for the media during the boys State Basketball Tournaments.
The WIAA established a Media Advisory Committee in 1992 as an opportunity for the WIAA and media representatives to discuss and address issues pertaining to the WIAA and to provide a forum to share information.
In 2007, WIAA Executive Staff discussions on committees identified an alternative to an advisory committee to enhance sharing information with the media that would benefit the WIAA and all media interests, because events and the reporting of those events revealed more awareness of WIAA policies and regulations was needed on a number of issues.
The WIAA Media Advisory Committee was suspended, and a forum was held to share information and WIAA policies with all members of the media interested in attending the forum. Members of the Media Advisory Committee and any media members interested from internet sites, photographers, cable outlets and wire services were welcome to register for the Media Day.
Media Advisory Committee Meeting Summary
July 24, 2024
Introductions – Ricardo Arguello, Wade Bates, Nate Beier, Brandon Berg, Norbert Durst, Tim Knoeck, Jon Masson, Nick Tabbert, MIchael Wittlow, Jason Zaleski, Mike Zweifel. Not present – Doug Ritchay.
Clark shared the Organization Chart graphic and explained the manner rules are promulgated, including playing rules (NFHS), regulations (committee) and Constitution (membership). It was explained to the group how a recommendation from the Media Advisory Committee would be review through the organizational process.
The committee discussed the definition of legitimate media. An Employer Identification Number and have liability insurance was offered. There is a fee associated with business license to receive a ID number. Another consideration could be evidence of substantial following in a coverage area and maybe a threshold for number of followers. Social media influencer may have the possibility to be considered, but there needs to be a high school sports component to the coverage. He gave an example of a platform that does comprehensive coverage of high school sports. Frequency of the coverage should also be in the criteria. From a live transmission perspective, actual live transmission of video and audio content with a rights fee attached during the tournaments, in most any scenario, would be classified as a legitimate media outlet.
Some companies film highlights for one team does high school content, but more it's more of a recruiting or marketing/promotion of individual. By application of the media policies, those requests would not receive a State Tournament credential in and of itself. By application of the media policies, those requests would not receive a State Tournament credential in and of itself. Schools do not receive media credentials, but they would have access and would be directed to school administration to request the school photographer or videographer credential.
The WIAA will continue its policy to provide two minutes of WIAA-required PSAs in lieu of raising the tournament audio rights fees. It is believed most stations would continue to want the PSAs over the increase in rights fees. State media requests coming from a reputable media source validates the credential request for third-party stringers to represent the respective media outlet.
Game Changer software for baseball, softball and other sports discussed, and it was shared that the text and video transmissions options with the program is subject to Tournament Series rights fees for live transmissions.
It was asked who is responsible to address streams that have not received clearance and is not paying the required rights fees. Host schools have the responsibility of game management, and this is particularly true at neutral sites as well. It was also shared that it may be difficult to address at sites because ADs may not be the site coordinator.
The quick turnaround days during tournaments sometimes results in media unable to connect with the ADs because they may not be available during tournaments; so sometimes they are unable to let the host school know they plan to stream video with clearance from the WIAA ahead of time. In such, cases, call the WIAA and Todd Clark will assist.
It was requested to provide a signal for imminent start of post-game media conferences; so stations patched into the multbox in the radio broadcasting areas can prep to join the conference live. Clark indicated he will give a “60 second warning” prior to the first question for the coach. Clark shared there will be continued efforts to move pre-game live television shots that are not concluded on the floor level prior to the warm-ups to elevated locations.
It was asked if it would be appropriate to revisit the school photographer pass and the requirement they stay in the player box to allow school photographers more access around the field? It was shared at State softball that the netting is difficult to shoot through with any elevated area. Is there option for media to be over outfield fence? Clark indicated there are locations on the plate sides of the dugouts and small camera “wells” on the outfield side of the dugouts. Clark will check to see if the outfield location would be available. Volleyball sightlines continue to be an issue because teams are not changing sides. Clark will look into the possibility of some additional locations at the corner ends of the courts. It was shared there are not great options for photographers at State hockey, and it was added that there are not many good unobstructed sight lines for photographers.
Work time following the final events each day of the State Tournaments was a topic of discussion. Clark shared with UW facilities it will be 90 minutes following the completion of the final game of the day. He indicated with some venues, there is no issue with allowing media to stay and finish its work; so there has not been a deadline placed on those events.
In a discussion about media interview areas at State Baseball, which are in at the end of the concourses at each baseline, Clark shared the facility/grounds crew requests time to prep the field for the evening as soon as possible; so interview will be at the location of every other game outside the concourse on each side. Clark proposed a media “corral” on each end that players and coaches will go for media interviews that separates them from parents and friends to be able to conduct interviews with interruption.
A request was made for media work tables and chairs be set up underneath the first base side bleachers UW table on first base side to provide more room. No room in the press box. In addition, it was requested to have more options for radio doing games at Goodman Sports Complex, particularly behind home plate. Can there be risers next to TV platform to form a second row of radio spot behind the row the row on the concourse. Also, a number of members indicate the chairs provided at softball are not suitable for prolonged seating.
A request was made for a media water station at baseball, and for consideration of a step to go from the grandstand on the first- and third- base sides to the playing field for awards ceremonies.
Question was asked about the process of the failed vote on the shot clock. Clark shared it was a season regulation that need to navigate the committee structure, and he referred back to the organization chart referenced earlier in the meeting. Durst shared that he believed the current Board is represented by smaller school administrators that may be less in favor of the shot clock. Clark did not about the votes at the other levels of the committee process.
Another inquiry was about the tournament schedule and if the would be any consideration to have fewer sports have tournament events on the same day or to spread them out to not have them stacked on the same days. Clark noted the WIAA is current conducting a study on season lengths, coaching contact and game maximums that will review the the schedule
It was asked why baseball has doubleheaders and softball doesn’t. Clark shared he will speak with assistance on the rationale, but he shared he believes the baseball coaches choose to keep the doubleheaders with the pitching rules and needing more than one pitcher to advance to State. Softball may use only one pitcher with the pitching rules.
A question was asked about how competitive balance will go in its first year. Clark stated a release is forthcoming that summarized the first year of data that will now be applied to the 2024-25 seasons. The impact will be measured and re-evaluated each year.
Media Advisory Committee
Thursday, July 20, 2023 - 10 a.m.
Welcome – Ricardo Arguello, Doug Ritchay, Nate Beier, Mike Zweifel, Tim Knoeck, Jon Masson, Wade Bates, Karley Marotta, Jason Zaleski, Zac Bellman. Todd Clark from the WIAA staff with welcomes from Stephanie Hauser and Mel Dow. Committee members not present: Travis Wilson and Dave Radcliffe.
Clark shared the history of the committee. It was discontinued in 2009 amidst ongoing litigation and reinstated in 2023. Clark shared the Organization Chart graphic and explained the manner rules are promulgated, including playing rules (NFHS), regulations (committee) and Constitution (membership). Example given was the process for discussions with shot clock and basketball halves vs. quarters.
Clark explained to the committee that releases are sent out following the final vote and determination of a recommendation or amendment to avoid confusion that may come from releases at each committee level of the process.
It was indicated that information and process provided in releases on the conference realignment proceedings has been helpful with each step of the process.
Media coverage and staff - Committee stated his staffs have been reduced. Media experiences frustration at local level from subscribers with reduced coverage. They have eliminated boxscores, and time for interaction with coaches on athletes are more of a challenge. Interest in high school sports in the areas of the state is high and people have and appetite for prep content. Early deadlines is tough to get in game stories, and live streams and more rankings and analysis has filled a void in content. Going online has changed everything. Many people still don’t want to pay for that online content.
The committee indicated with a paid subscription, the subscriber gets access to the pay wall content on the publication’s website.
Publications have decreased their coverage areas. Newspapers may consider coverage for the front-running teams only. However, he stated prep coverage stacks up pretty favorably with professional and college content.
It was shared that any assistance with increasing subscriptions is what would help the newspapers and subscription-based media, which would help increase revenue, and that’s is what would help and if the WIAA could encourage subscriptions.
It was shared that if there were more awareness of video streams available that it would help because they can use the video from those streams. WIAA has the Web Stream Central during the post-season, but regular-season streams would assist TV coverage with video. It was shared other websites often have links to the streams on their schedule. And, a member of the committee indicated he sometimes uses the live streams to get scores and stats.
It was stated that what people want are stats and scores. For the lesser publicized sports, it’s difficult to find rosters and that information with other sources. He believes a statewide regular-season roster and stats and results on the WIAA website would be most helpful, and he would support the WIAA if it was mandatory for schools and/or conference to input statistics and results on a regular basis throughout the season. The committee added this information would be very helpful and it could be even if it would only be available for the media behind the Media Center log-in.
Media Definition -What is legitimate media? - Clark shared that sports information personnel throughout the NFHS continue to attempt to define and determine what legitimate media is in considering credential request policies.
Clark shared photographers with no media affiliation are not eligible to receive credentials. A committee member shared an actual instance at the State Tournament with a credentialed individual that he assumed was a mother of a competitor that was shaking his shoulders and telling him to get a picture of her participant. He doubted she was a bonafide member of any media and received a credential through an outlet request.
Media outlets requesting multiple credentials when the names of those covering the State Tournaments aren’t known at the time of the credential request deadline was discussed. Clark indicated credentials without names attached to them in the application may, and has, caused confusion and delays at the will-call areas. However, media may email Clark to provide names if available prior or during the tournament when it is known.
After Clark shared the process and criteria applied to qualify for a State Tournament media credential, the committee agreed the information and criteria currently stated in the Media Policies Guide for determining if a media credential request is approved or denied is appropriate and reasonable.
In situations where media cause amateur status rule violation leading to ineligibility, the committee remarked it would be reasonable for the WIAA to impose some sanctions on media that causes amateur status violations as a result of media using student-athletes to endorse their service/business. Clark suggested some type of suspension of pre-State and State Tournament credential or transmission requests and clearance, and the committee believe this type of reprimand would be appropriate. The committee also supported the same suspension of credentials and clearance for media that have outstanding rights fees payments more than 365 days.
Media Sportsmanship - Clark shared an experience of a radio broadcast of a sectional basketball game while driving back from a tournament where the announcer was over-the-top in their discussion about the officiating.
It was questioned whether the parents or nonstaff photographers and reporters to fill a void for media outlets know the importance of sportsmanship and that it extends beyond coaches and players.
Clark asked what WIAA could do to assist in educating, and the committee suggested sending out a sportsmanship reminder to all media that states sportsmanship is an important element of school-based sports and these activities are only possible because of the efforts of student-athletes, coaches as well as officials, who have other careers and work jobs but give of themselves to make sure these opportunities exist.
Clark reviewed the requirement for two minutes of WIAA-provided PSA content within all tournament audio transmissions, limitations of two-minutes for video action and advertising guidelines. The committee had no concerns after limited discussion on topics.
Clark shared the board-approved video, audio and text rights fees with the committee, it was suggested a future discussion should be engaged on the why fees for audio and video are significantly different.
It was shared that host schools not certain or understand what to do when he arrives at an event. The communication with the AD does not make its way to the people actually at the entry to the venue or gates when they arrive for set-up. Sometime, the AD is not at the game and others don’t know the expectations of working with the streaming.
Clark shared the no-access to locker room policy, which was supported by the committee. The committee discussed interviews on the competition level of venues as well as post-game media conferences. The committed indicated the policy to not allow interviews on floor level once warm-ups start until after the media conferences is appropriate, but the policy should continue to allow stations to do live or taped reports on the ground level between and after sessions as long as reporters and camera personnel and done and packed up by the start of warm-ups of the next session. Clark indicated there are also locations higher up in the stadium that serves as a good taped or live report area that is away from the court and shows a large portion of the venue. There are elevators to those locations at several venues. Clark indicated he would include language in pre-event releases with a reminder of the policy at certain venues and tournaments. He will determine the time any floor/field level reports need to be cleared.
It was suggested that the media conference, because of the fact that in a number of cases, the were no media present to ask questions, not only be streamed on the NFHS Network as they currently are, but to have the camera with an HDMI connection to a computer with a Zoom meeting with a link available to media. Clark looked into that possibility, and it wasn't feasible from an equipment and timing perspective.
Clark shared why the media conference after football games were discontinued many years ago with the logistics and time constraints. The committee agreed that the current system, under the circumstances, works for most media outlets.
It is very important to the media that the student-athletes are escorted after the awards into the corral area. If not, they do not get to talk with them because all our policies indicate that is where they are brought to help keep reporters off the infield.
The committee shared that information in the Media Policy Guide needs changing because of the new venue in hockey. Otherwise, Photographer locations at the State Tournaments are good. The suggestion was to looking into finding a way to shoot from end lines during pre-finals court set-up at the State Volleyball Tournament. Clark indicated there wasn’t sufficient room between the SportCourt and the boards for floor access there, but maybe consider first couple rows in the seats. Clark will continue to provide a map to provide clarity of shooting locations at the State Track & Field Championships.
Clark detailed the WIAA’s agreement with the NFHS Network that makes the digital platform the exclusive streaming rights holder for the entire pre-State Tournaments. He described the WIAA’s ability to repurpose those rights for media and schools for events that were declined by the Network.
The committee was unanimous that the information disseminated by the WIAA is timely and satisfactory with the media releases, media guides, online media center, as well as the method of applying for credentials, verifying credentials and picking-up the credentials.
The entire committee was also supportive of continuing the State qualifying coaches Zoom conference with the media in basketball and football. It is helpful for the State broadcast crew and also for the media to get comments and insights from opposing coaches. The timing of the conference on Sunday was good for most, but Bellman did indicate that with the hours in the week and coming off a long weekend of tournaments, it makes for a longer weekend.
It was requested that the WIAA share the emails of coaches on Zoom call and place them on the password-protected Media Center. Clark indicated he can post them by the stats and rosters.
The WIAA will continue to provide credentialed media with souvenir programs at no cost at State Tournaments.
Regarding media accommodations at the State Tournament venues, one request was to review the post-event team award ceremony at State Swimming and Diving. The area for media and spectators with team getting its team trophy is difficult to navigate with the number of spectators attempting to leave or be part of the ceremony for photos. There is a rope, but if it can provide a larger buffer, that would be ideal. In addition, it was requested to have additional room between media row and the first row of spectator seating at girls basketball. There are numerous distractions, and it is difficult to navigate the thin row between the seats on media row and individuals standing in the aisle or sitting in the first row of the stands. Clark indicated he would look into possible solutions.
Members of the committee asked that a curtain or door be placed at the entrance of the bathroom in the media room at State Track & Field.
After the first experience at the new hockey venue, it was requested to have greater coordination after the game to have coaches and selective team members be available at a specific location outside the locker rooms for interviews. It worked after some games but wasn’t consistent. A media conference will be implemented after all games of the State Boys & Girls Hockey Tournaments.
The committee requested additional lighting in the large media area at the Capitol Ice Arena, and the committee expressed the media parking situation at the new venue was good.
The committee expressed some frustration with parking at the State Football Championships. Information indicated where to park in Lot 17, but when they arrived, they were turned away. Clark stated he would look into the situation and provide the best information in the pre-event media release.
In response to a question about the access to Camp Randall prior to each day’s first game. Clark indicated credentials are available approximately 90 minutes prior to kick-off. He also shared the media gate in the vicinity of the elevator is opened prior to the Spectator gates.
Clark explained weigh-ins at the State Individual Wrestling Tournament at the Kohl Center are now done on the floor. Because of that, Clark proposed that the floor access and first level of seating not be available to the media until after the weigh-in have been concluded. The committee unanimously accepted the policy.
Following the long delays at State Track & Field, it was suggested the WIAA provide updates via social media and website on a more regular basis to inform media about the weather and competition situation – maybe every 30 minutes).
Committee members asked if a uniform policy or the venue’s policy on the availability of the media work area after conclusion of competition on each day be communicated so they know when they will need to exit the facility. Clark stated he would include that information in the pre-State Tournament releases.
Meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.