Excellent point paNDA.

 

And in the BOKC's defense, new media is an evolving entity and it is tough to be fair to everyone. Add to that, most people taking the photos are not media at all which really puts places like the BOKC in a bind.

 

Some people like paNDA do it for the love of the game/photos, some do it for profit, some do it as a hobby, some do it because they have a fixation on high school boys and girls, and some do it just to avoid paying to get in among other things. The tough part is drawing a distinction among all those different photographers and deciding what is fair to all of them.

 

This X 100.

 

I'm neither defending BOKC's policy nor condemning it, but I go to a lot of bigger venues and with the demise of newspapers and the new types of media rising seemingly by the minute, the gray area gets grayer every year.

 

There's also (everyone's favorite topic as well) liability issues-lawyers-potential lawsuits to deal with, and crackdowns are occurring everywhere in sports because of that.

That is why I love the Fieldhouse. Just come on in, take all the pictures you want, great atmosphere and let's just play ball!!! Panda, come on down to the 10th Region!!

 

They do have some of the best-tasting, most addictive popcorn on the planet. I think that stuff's laced with crack because I can't stop eating it.

I agree Mustang, it's a very simple and logical solution, BUT..... It is the BOK, they don't seem to like those kinds of solutions.

They do have some of the best-tasting, most addictive popcorn on the planet. I think that stuff's laced with crack because I can't stop eating it.

 

I'm not telling.

They do have some of the best-tasting, most addictive popcorn on the planet.

 

I have never tried it.

That is why I love the Fieldhouse. Just come on in, take all the pictures you want, great atmosphere and let's just play ball!!! Panda, come on down to the 10th Region!!

 

I drove down to Maysville to see a regional tournament game at the Fieldhouse a few years ago and can't say I enjoyed it. Sure the atmosphere was great but The parking was terrible and the seating was unconfortable and it must have been 80 degrees in the building. We also had to get there At least an hour before the game to get in. I'll take the BOKC any day.

Ok first and foremost Matt Merchant has a job to do and it is a very difficult task at best. Keep in mind SMG has to make money....and with the guaranteed payouts for the 9th region tournament and the fact that most girls nights lose money there has to be some cut off point. The employees of SMG answer to their bosses just like the rest of us have someone to answer to.

 

Secondly, just because someone has a camera does not entitle them to free admission. Anyone who applies for a press pass generally gets one at BOK. BUT, you would not believe the amount of press passes that are requested and also keep in mind you now have tons of small websites, local newspapers, etc all requesting press passes for the regional tournament. IN fact at most events if someone shows up without being on the required press pass list, SMG will let them in and give them a press pass. But for an event as large as the 9th region tournament that is not fair to those that go through the process of securing a press pass and not having a spot when some guy named Joe shows up and says he is from some .com website and oh by the way I have my wife and two kids with me and I want to take pictures and these guys are with me takes up space along press row.

 

I for one love PaNDA's photos but did BGP apply for a press pass? If so were you denied?

 

Matt Merchant and for that matter all SMG employees are very much in tune with customer service but at the same time you cannot just give away the store.

Edited February 26, 201511 yr by uselessinfo

paNDA is not now or ever affiliated with any website including BGP's. I am just a hack with a camera who takes every possible kids picture who even steps on the floor and posts them on Facebook. I don't fit in any mold and would appreciate any reference to media and myself stop. Never sell anything except good will.

 

As for free, for years I have said let me pay and I will do the same thing I am doing now. I almost always pay at High School gyms and still post the results of the nights games. Not too complex. CCH has began to let me in free but that is their idea not mine.

 

I am not sure who said it but I agree, let two guys shoot the games and post the pictures for the kids and parents. Not me as there are far better photographers than I. At State events there is always people capturing the special moments and making them available for a small fee.

paNDA is not now or ever affiliated with any website including BGP's. I am just a hack with a camera who takes every possible kids picture who even steps on the floor and posts them on Facebook. I don't fit in any mold and would appreciate any reference to media and myself stop. Never sell anything except good will.

 

As for free, for years I have said let me pay and I will do the same thing I am doing now. I almost always pay at High School gyms and still post the results of the nights games. Not too complex. CCH has began to let me in free but that is their idea not mine.

 

I am not sure who said it but I agree, let two guys shoot the games and post the pictures for the kids and parents. Not me as there are far better photographers than I. At State events there is always people capturing the special moments and making them available for a small fee.

 

I get your point. But not counting you the amount of people that want in free and to get to the press row is unreal. I do not think the majority of BGP members realize the flood of media requests that come from every small mom and pop outlet to every .com and .org that are out there. Definitely a different era from 2 newspapers and 3 TV stations in town.

Ok first and foremost Matt Merchant has a job to do and it is a very difficult task at best. Keep in mind SMG has to make money....and with the guaranteed payouts for the 9th region tournament and the fact that most girls nights lose money there has to be some cut off point. The employees of SMG answer to their bosses just like the rest of us have someone to answer to.

 

Secondly, just because someone has a camera does not entitle them to free admission. Anyone who applies for a press pass generally gets one at BOK. BUT, you would not believe the amount of press passes that are requested and also keep in mind you now have tons of small websites, local newspapers, etc all requesting press passes for the regional tournament. IN fact at most events if someone shows up without being on the required press pass list, SMG will let them in and give them a press pass. But for an event as large as the 9th region tournament that is not fair to those that go through the process of securing a press pass and not having a spot when some guy named Joe shows up and says he is from some .com website and oh by the way I have my wife and two kids with me and I want to take pictures and these guys are with me takes up space along press row.

 

I for one love PaNDA's photos but did BGP apply for a press pass? If so were you denied?

 

Matt Merchant and for that matter all SMG employees are very much in tune with customer service but at the same time you cannot just give away the store.

 

The points you are making are valid.

 

It would appear that what needs to be done is that both sides of this issue meet somewhere in the middle.

 

The BOK doesn't need to be so stark and cooperate about it, and also offer more media space on both sides of the courts just like most arenas do, and the folks seeking media privileges should respect a certain amounts of protocols in place to gain legitimate access without abusing it by bringing Joe Blow along with him to enjoy the privileges for free as well.

 

It's understandable that a certain amount of control needs to be in place to avoid abuse of the privileges, but for the BOK go to such extreme measures is overkill.

 

The ones who have gone through the proper channels to gain access really shouldn't have to pay, and the handful of photographers who've properly applied need to be respected to be able to shoot their shots with a decent about of freedom and flexibility with understandable limitations, which I can't imagine anyone being ridiculous enough to bend.

 

To confine them to their seats is stupid, as they really need the freedom to be able to move about.

 

Somewhere in all of this, how about aiming at making logical sense of it all.

 

The BOK needs to make things more flexible than they are, and the media needs to play fair and not abuse the proper protocols that are in place.

 

Everybody is happy, everybody wins, and I really can't imagine that it's such a terrible hit financially for the BOK to let all who have gone through the proper channels to gain access enter the premises for free to allow them to do the work that they came to do.

 

It's an arena, I have to believe it's big enough, and if managed properly, all who legitimately are needing access can be accommodated.

 

They really need to work this out because the BOK truly is a great place to hold these tournaments, and with the proper tweaking, everyone can be happy and satisfied. I seriously can't imagine that it would be as difficult as it's being made out to be to get it done.

Trying to buy tickets to the 9th Region games but there is nothing on the BOK website about the event. Kind of odd, are the courtside seats not available for purchase?

Here is the credential policy for the Boys State Tournament to compare.

 

DISTRIBUTION POLICY

1. 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);

2. No athletic recruiting organizations or media outlets that can be construed as recruiting publications will be credentialed. The level of regular season interscholastic coverage will be considered when applications are reviewed.

3. Media passes will not be issued to persons under 18 years of age (with the exception of a School Media Pass);

4. Passes 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. A credential grants the bearer, and only the bearer, access to KHSAA events, and does not include admission for children and family members;

5. Media members are expected to act professionally and objectively at all times. Cheering or cheerleading during an event is strictly prohibited and can result in removal from the press area;

6. 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), Aribtron Ratings numbers or similar information (broadcast), page views/hits (online entities);

7. 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;

8. Each team advancing to a state championship event can be represented by one (1) broadcast team (radio or online), which will be designated by the participating school’s principal;

9. Schools are permitted one (1) School Media Pass at each championship event, which is limited to students or full-time staff members at the participating school.

 

The distribution of credentials is conducted using the following priorities:

1. Daily Newspapers and Wire Services;

2. Statewide Media (TV, etc.);

3. Media Covering Specific Teams on a Regular Basis;

4. Regional Media;

5. All Other Outlets (Non-Broadcast Radio, weekly media, etc.).

 

Credentials may be issued on a limited basis to valid websites that report timely results and have regularly covered and promoted interscholastic events. They 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.

 

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. The KHSAA reserves the right to grant or deny any requests on an individual basis.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography passes are provided to accredited news media outlets in conjunction with print and television outlets and their directly affiliated websites. 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.

I have never tried it.

 

You, my friend, are missing out on the best popcorn you will ever taste in a high school gym. :ylsuper:

Here is the credential policy for the Boys State Tournament to compare.

 

DISTRIBUTION POLICY

1. 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);

2. No athletic recruiting organizations or media outlets that can be construed as recruiting publications will be credentialed. The level of regular season interscholastic coverage will be considered when applications are reviewed.

3. Media passes will not be issued to persons under 18 years of age (with the exception of a School Media Pass);

4. Passes 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. A credential grants the bearer, and only the bearer, access to KHSAA events, and does not include admission for children and family members;

5. Media members are expected to act professionally and objectively at all times. Cheering or cheerleading during an event is strictly prohibited and can result in removal from the press area;

6. 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), Aribtron Ratings numbers or similar information (broadcast), page views/hits (online entities);

7. 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;

8. Each team advancing to a state championship event can be represented by one (1) broadcast team (radio or online), which will be designated by the participating school’s principal;

9. Schools are permitted one (1) School Media Pass at each championship event, which is limited to students or full-time staff members at the participating school.

 

The distribution of credentials is conducted using the following priorities:

1. Daily Newspapers and Wire Services;

2. Statewide Media (TV, etc.);

3. Media Covering Specific Teams on a Regular Basis;

4. Regional Media;

5. All Other Outlets (Non-Broadcast Radio, weekly media, etc.).

 

Credentials may be issued on a limited basis to valid websites that report timely results and have regularly covered and promoted interscholastic events. They 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.

 

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. The KHSAA reserves the right to grant or deny any requests on an individual basis.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography passes are provided to accredited news media outlets in conjunction with print and television outlets and their directly affiliated websites. 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.

 

 

Yep, this is why I don't go to State Sweet Sixteen and now why I don't go to the BOK Regional. Keep up the good work.

Yep, this is why I don't go to State Sweet Sixteen and now why I don't go to the BOK Regional. Keep up the good work.

 

The distribution of credentials is conducted using the following priorities:

1. Daily Newspapers and Wire Services;

2. Statewide Media (TV, etc.);

3. Media Covering Specific Teams on a Regular Basis;

4. Regional Media;

5. All Other Outlets (Non-Broadcast Radio, weekly media, etc.).

 

I have a major problem with the way the KHSAA handles the Sweet Sixteen. I get fired up just thinking about it.