SPORTS MEDIA PASSES

Hello POTN members! Want to ask if you have any issues getting into high school football games without a media pass. My son's on the varsity football team, senior, and I take action shots of him and his friends at our home games. The team is in the playoffs now and feel the stadium team will be playing at may be strict on who can be on the sideline and who can't. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

I'm shocked that you were ever allowed on the sideline without a media pass. Every game I have ever been to, including when I played, you needed a media pass to be on the field. Anyone could always shoot from outside the fence.

If you are on good terms with the team they may be able to sponsor your request to the state high school athletic association that controls passes in such circumstances. Keeping in mind that working , edia are a priority and that passes are harder to obtain the further the team advances in the playoffs.

Early in the playoffs you should be fine with acting like you belong there and finding an opportune moment to get on the field. If you had a press pass earlier in the year just throw it around your neck and say you grabbed the wrong one if anyone asks.

MBB89 wrote in post #17789663
Early in the playoffs you should be fine with acting like you belong there and finding an opportune moment to get on the field. If you had a press pass earlier in the year just throw it around your neck and say you grabbed the wrong one if anyone asks.

If you tried this, especially in the playoffs, you'd probably be banned from all future events run by the commission, and kicked out of the stadium. I'm shocked you were allowed near any high school football field without a pass. I wouldn't recommend it at all.

Ask your school and the state high school athletic commission for credentials. You may or may not receive them, especially if you aren't producing any work for a media outlet. It is the only way to get on the field legally. You may also be required depending on the venue to provide proof of liability insurance.

Well, I'm a coach for the district and that's why the high school administrator allows me to be on sidelines for home games but now that we're playing away, 150 miles, at a neutral site I'm wondering if I'll have issues with the people in charge of that stadium.

mgnike1 wrote in post #17789817
Well, I'm a coach for the district and that's why the high school administrator allows me to be on sidelines for home games but now that we're playing away, 150 miles, at a neutral site I'm wondering if I'll have issues with the people in charge of that stadium.

In every state that I've read about the credentials are handled by the state association once the playoffs start.

I took pictures all year for our football and volleyball teams. Never had a "pass" I had to wear. I'm guessing as long as coaches are ok with it and you stay on your side of field you should be just fine.

Now that I think about, when we played at the state finals for football, I had to get photos of myself from the stadium photographer. We had a photographer that shot the regular season and even playoff games, but he wasn't allowed on the field for state.

You may be able to get through for the playoffs by walking on with the coaching staff (if the coaches allow you to), but state may be a different story.

Simple answer:

Will you be taking photographs for working media or are you simply someone with a camera looking for access?

If someone with a camera looking for access, please respect working media. I see soo many people who think they are photographers merely getting in the way and its super annoying.

If you have a good relationship with the coach or AD, they should be able to get you credentials. Some states have official Photographer's for state finals, so only working media is allowed on the field.

Expect to have issues. The working media and other sideline personnel have their jobs to do. You need to respect that. You wouldn't appreciate an unauthorized, non-working person interfering with your job responsibilities.

Thanks for all the tips/advice. I went on to attend my son's games and took action shots on the sidelines without any issues from stadium staff or administration!