IHSAA Media Credential Information

MAINSTREAM MEDIA:

Established, widely recognized media organizations that regularly cover news, sports, or events at the local, regional, or national level through traditional or digital platforms, including newspapers, television stations, radio broadcasters, and accredited online news outlets.

Considerations for IHSAA Credential Approval:

An established and consistent record of coverage
Credibility as a news-gathering organization
Editorial oversight
Agree to monitor user comments and remove comments that personally attack participants involved in competition
Member of a professional association/organization

Considerations of IHSAA Credential NON-Approval:

Organizations that are exclusively social media based
Organizations that are scouting, ranking, recruiting services, college coaches, private clubs, website based/social media personal promotion platforms
Organizations of a personal nature or whose demographic audience is based and focused on primarily one school
Organizations that exclusively create and post videos
Organizations that are photo-only

IHSAA Credentials for Photographers:

Photographers are only approved for an IHSAA event credential through Steve Conner at Steve Conner Photography
Freelance photographers are credentialed through Mainstream Media Organizations
Studio for hire, for profit photographers are not permitted

IHSAA Credentials for School Media Members:

For use by student/advisor of school sponsored media sources only

REGULAR SEASON GAMES/TOURNAMENTS

During the regular season, events are under the host school's control. Media should request approval to cover events from the Activities Administrator at the host school.
DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS

At the district tournament level, media should follow the local district tournament guidelines and procedures for each specific tournament. Media requests for coverage would be from the district participants Activities Administrator.

STATE TOURNAMENTS

At the state tournament level, media organizations must request and be approved through the IHSAA for credentials to have media access to state tournaments.

2025-2026 IHSAA EVENT CREDENTIAL PICK UP

Members of the Mainstream Media are required to follow the IHSAA tournament protocol in order to receive and maintain event privileges:

To obtain an event credential badge for a single site or tournament, follow guidelines below:

Show media credential from mainstream media outlet at the IHSAA office at 8011 Ustick, Boise 83704
OR - two weeks in advance of the tournament - Send a written request from editor/manager for coverage to
Credential badge must be RETURNED to Media/Pass gate, tournament manager or mailed to the IHSAA office at 8011 Ustick Boise, ID 83704.

FAILURE TO RETURN CREDENTIAL MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF FUTURE PRIVILEGES

BROADCASTING IHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

IHSAA Video Webcast Partner: NFHS Network
Exclusive video broadcast rights of State Play-In and IHSAA sponsored State Tournament events are contracted through the NFHS Network. Permission for cable operators, newspapers, radio stations, television stations or Internet sites in relation to video broadcast of State Play-In and IHSAA sponsored State Tournament events must be done by contacting NFHS Network. Credentials will not be granted to media not receiving clearance from the IHSAA through NFHS Network. School streaming broadcasts can be submitted for state events that are not covered by the NFHS Network with approval from the IHSAA office and include a broadcasting fee.

IHSAA Audio Streaming Webcast Partner: IdahoSports.com

Exclusive audio streaming broadcast rights of State Play-In and IHSAA sponsored State Tournament events are contracted through IdahoSports.com. Permission for cable operators, newspapers, radio stations, television stations or Internet sites in relation to audio streaming webcast of State Play-In and IHSAA sponsored State Tournament events must be approved by contacting Paul Kingsbury through IdahoSports.com

Terrestrial radio broadcast requests need to be approved through an IHSAA Radio Broadcast Contract (below)

Radio Broadcasting Contract