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MPSSAA Championship Credentials
The following media credential policy was established to provide a clear understanding of the procedures followed by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) in processing requests for media credentials to MPSSAA state championship events.
NOTE: The MPSSAA Office does not issue credentials to state series preliminary events on the regional levels. State series event managers are instructed to provide complimentary admission and extend professional courtesies to representatives of news media organizations upon presentation of valid news media photo identification.
It is the goal of the MPSSAA to provide the media with comprehensive and hospitable services during state championships. We understand the difficulty in covering these events and appreciate the positive publicity our schools and student-athletes receive as a result of your work. Only individuals with issued media credentials will be provide access to the MPSSAA state championships. In order to obtain those credentials certain protocol must be followed.
Requesting Credentials
Members of the media requesting credentials for the MPSSAA State Championships must fill out the online credential request form. Credential requests must be made by sports editors or sports directors online at www.mpssaa.org/media no later than two days prior to the state finals.
The issuance of all media credentials to MPSSAA state championship events is at the sole discretion of the MPSSAA staff. Submission of a credential request does not guarantee a representative a media credential. All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the MPSSAA staff. The MPSSAA staff will notify any individual whose request has been denied.
Working credentials are issued as a courtesy to an accredited agency for the sole purpose of providing facility access to the accredited agency's employee who has a legitimate working function (media) in connection with the MPSSAA State Championship event. This credential is non-transferable and may be revoked at any time without cause.
The bearer of this credential is for working purposes only and any credentials or tickets for spouses, friends, children, etc. will not be provided.
Please Note:
· Credential requests for recruiting or scouting purposes will not be considered.
· Credential requests for athletic recruiting organizations or media outlets that can be construed as recruiting publications will not be considered.
· Credential requests for media representatives must be on assignment for a specific media organization.
o Credential requests for freelance reporters, freelance photographers, correspondents or stringers must be submitted on their behalf by the media organization for which they are working.
o NO Freelance photographers will be credentialed for "freelance" work.
High School media credentials are intended solely for students in the school's journalism or yearbook program.
o Requests for credentials for high school students must be made by the school principal or designee.
o High School media credentials will not be considered for parents, booster clubs, spirit groups or other coaches to take pictures or footage of the contest.
· All credential requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Radio and TV Broadcasts
Any credential requests for radio, cablecast, telecast, or webcast (video stream) live or on a delayed basis must also file a broadcast agreement with the MPSSAA no later than two days prior to the contest. Submission of a broadcast agreement request does not guarantee an organization broadcast rights to the event. All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the MPSSAA staff. The MPSSAA staff will notify any individual whose request has been denied.
To file broadcast agreements go to www.mpssaa.org/media and click on the broadcast fee structure and broadcasting contract on the right hand side of the page in the info center. Please review the broadcasting contract and the fee structure in their entirety. Completed forms can be faxed to the MPSSAA at 410-333-3111 .
Credentials will not be issued until accompanied by a broadcast contract.
Newscast Privilege Agreement
Any credential requests for radio, cablecast, telecast, or webcast (video stream) for the purpose of a newscast must also file a Newscast Privilege agreement with the MPSSAA no later than two days prior to the contest. All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the MPSSAA staff. The MPSSAA staff will notify any individual whose request has been denied.
To file a Newscast Privilege agreement go to www.mpssaa.org/media and click on the MPSSAA Newscast Privilege link on the right hand side of the page in the info center. Please review the agreement in its entirety. Completed forms can be faxed to the MPSSAA at 410-333-3111.
Credentials will not be issued until accompanied by a Newscast Privilege.
Obtaining Credentials
Only those representatives whose requests are submitted by the advertised deadline and are approved will be issued credentials. Late requests will not be guaranteed processing. Media representatives not approved for credentials in advance will not be issued credentials upon arrival at the site of the event.
Credentials must be picked up at the media entrance to the event. Under no circumstance will credentials be mailed. Proper photo identification will be required of individuals when picking up credentials.
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