Event Media Guidelines

Media credentials and access will be granted only to individuals with a legitimate working function at a match, training session or event. The bearer must be on a specific assignment. Credentials are non-transferable. Any unauthorized use of a credential subjects the bearer to ejection from the stadium. Resale or attempted resale is grounds for seizure and cancellation.

The following actions may result in seizure of credential and/or ejection of its wearer from the stadium or training facility:

• Requesting autographs at any time

• Taking photographs with players/coaches

• Using credential for family or friends of a working media member

• Conducting of unauthorized interviews outside of prescribed media access periods

• Unprofessional behavior (cheering in the press box, consumption of alcoholic beverages, failure to abide by posted rules, etc.)

Treatment of Credentialed Media

Media Access at Practice: Teams are permitted to designate one (1) day each training week as an open session (meaning the entirety of the training session will be open to media) but shall accommodate in-training availability as requested for the remainder of the week (minimum of 15 minutes). Teams are strongly encouraged to ensure that ballwork is at least part of the 15-minute access period.

Teams should make every effort to accommodate media requests for both coaches and players at the conclusion of training or the open media access period.

Failure to accommodate requests during media access periods as defined in the NWSL Media Access Policy (such as training sessions) will result in a fine.

Matchday-1 and Matchday-2 Media Access: Teams are required to make both the head coach and 1-2 players available to media at a pre-match press conference on MD-1 or MD-2. Any additional interview requests and availability will be accommodated to the best of the PR staff's ability following each presser. Failure to comply will result in a fine.

Post-Match Media Access: All players must be available for post-match media upon request. Teams may designate a space within the stadium to conduct interviews. In addition to general availability, 1-2 players and the head coach from both teams will be made available in a press conference format. Home teams must provide in-person access to attending media in addition to virtual press conferences. Visiting teams are permitted to hold virtual press conferences but should similarly make every effort to provide access to in-person media.

At least two players will be made available starting approximately 10 minutes after the final match whistle and head coaches will be made available approximately 20 minutes after the final match whistle (or vice versa). Locker rooms will not be open to the media without the express permission of the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association.

Team PR directors will highlight players from the match and make all efforts to secure requested names from attending media, or media in the ‘NWSLMedia’ Slack channel, when choosing available players for press conferences. Selected players should be confirmed prior to the end of the match and clearly communicated to attending media as soon as possible. Team PR staff must be present to indicate the beginning and end of media access to players and coaches. All policies regarding post-match media access should be clearly communicated to media, team staff and security to ensure a secure environment. Failure to comply will result in a fine.

Seating Access: Accredited media members will have access to the stadium, professional workrooms and stadium seating, if available. During the match, accredited media will have access to the press box which will be restricted to only those accredited media members.

In addition, each stadium should have a Press Box capable of seating no less than TEN (10) people, with separate areas for working press and electronic broadcasters, and sufficient power outlets for all needs. If possible, all accredited media members should be given a seat in the press box.

All credentialed media shall be seated in media seating areas, consistent with treatment afforded comparable media. In addition, all members of the media are to be afforded equal treatment and access to facilities and personnel, regardless of sex.

When the press box is fully occupied by working media, referee assessors or in-stadium observers shall be provided seating with a desk or table shielded from the weather and a vantage point to view replays (if available) from any telecast. The specific location may be determined by the Home Team but must provide these minimum accommodations.

In order to maintain the integrity of the working press box, seating is specifically reserved for media members along with home and away team PR. All other individuals (including player agents, VIP’s and administrators) should be seated in overflow booths/suites or assigned stadium seats.

Traveling Media: The home team shall provide seating for traveling media members at each match in the press box and should keep in mind the needs of media members traveling from the visiting team’s area. The PR department of the visiting team should advise the home team no less than 48 hours in advance of how many members of traveling media plan to attend the match.

Guidelines for Photographers and Camera Operators: With the exception of staff/league photographers, national rights-holders or NWSL crews present at a match, all photographers and television camera operators must stay behind the field boards at all times, unless released by the on-site photo marshal. All non-league and team photographers and camera operators shall be permitted behind the field boards in the area bounded by the top of the 18-yard box and the end line (a C-shape that extends from the top of the 18, back behind the goal, and to the top of the 18 on the opposite side of the field).

Each photographer will be permitted to use one monopod — but no tripods. No seats other than “lawn-type” photographer seats will be permitted at the discretion of the stadium.

Stand-alone remote units will not be permitted at any time on or around the goal posts without the prior express approval from the NWSL Operations department. Units mounted on the top of field boards behind the end line will be permitted at the stadium’s discretion, provided the equipment does not interfere with the clear display of the field board and does not impede the operation of broadcast equipment.

Live television crews located on the baseline or sideline will be limited to two (2) people — a camera operator and a cable-puller — and ENG crews will be limited to one (1) person. In either case, the crew must maintain actual possession of the camera and any other equipment during all match action. Cameramen and cable-pullers from all television crews must remain off the playing field and behind field boards at all times.

Once situated, no movement between the two halves of the field shall be permitted until halftime. Changes in this policy will be allowed in cases where stadium facilities dictate alterations and these changes have been approved by the NWSL Communications office. However, no photographers shall be allowed to move from end to end on the bench side of the field.

Photographer Identification: In addition to their regular credential, it is strongly recommended that photographers and camera crews be issued with colored bibs or armbands. This will necessitate a special area in or near the stadium where they can pick up their bibs, on presentation of their accreditation, either the day before the match or on matchday, at the time media gates are opened. If they are not to be allowed to keep the bib, then it should be exchanged for a press card to be picked up following the match, or else signed out.

Photography Work Area: A work area should be provided for photographers, near the field where appropriate, with high-speed internet access. The size of the room may vary, but it should be sizeable enough for at least 5 – 10 people to work on desktops/tables. Like the press section of the stands, the photographers’ work room should have sufficient electrical sockets and compatible with the equipment being used for transmission.

Accreditation: Care should be taken when processing credential requests for photographers shooting for commercial agencies. NWSL does not permit the accreditation of photographers shooting specifically for commercial agencies. However, since many agencies offer editorial and commercial sales options (Getty Images, AP, Reuters, etc.) this must be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Non-Rights Holder Video Guidelines

Video Footage: All rights to match footage including all applicable copyrights belong to NWSL. For the 2024 season, CBS, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps are the sole US rights holders for broadcasting matches. Organizations interested in recording video footage at an NWSL match for non-news gathering purposes must contact the NWSL Communications office.

Television Broadcasters

Match Action: Television broadcasters can use footage of NWSL events obtained either via 1) their own recording or 2) action dubbed from a NWSL rights holder broadcast (CBS, ESPN, Prime Video, Scripps) with credit only in connection with its regularly scheduled news programming within a week of the match This footage should not exceed two (2) minutes. Highlights aired as part of a continuous news program should not be longer than one (1) minute per 30-minute segment. Credits: NWSL, LLC.

Filming – Match Action: For televised events, non-rights holders / ENG cameras may record the first 15 minutes of each half (from 00:00 to 15:00 and 45:00 to 60:00 on the match clock). For non-televised events, non-rights holders / ENG cameras may record the entire match but are still subject to the aforementioned limits. This includes events that are streamed live online.

Filming – Interviews and Scene Sets: There is no limit to the gathering of footage pre-match, at halftime and post-match. All footage gathered is subject to the usage guidelines indicated in this document.

Filming – In Seating Area: Video cameras looking to shoot in the concourse or seating area must contact home team and NWSL in advance of the event for approval.

Previews or Advances: In advance of a NWSL event, television broadcasters can use two (2) minutes of archival match action to preview an upcoming event. In the local/regional markets, broadcasters should mention the time and location of the match along with their report. Outside of the local markets, broadcasters should mention the time and broadcast information.

Television Broadcasters’ Web Sites: Video produced for air as part of regular programming that is simulcast or archived online must be accompanied by a link to NWSLsoccer.com. Content produced exclusively for the Internet is subject to the guidelines for Online Video.

Online Video

Match Action: Online organizations (including print publications that post video online) are not permitted to film or use match action video without prior written approval by NWSL. Match action includes any footage of the field, teams, etc., following the beginning of the television broadcast window. Only video of off-field activities (i.e. interviews, training sessions) may be recorded.

Non-Match Video: Any video posted online that is recorded as part of media access is limited to the use of eight (8) minutes per day/activity date. Online video may not incorporate integrated advertising and must be accompanied by links to NWSLsoccer.com.

Professional Presentation: Online video is expected to be recorded, edited and presented in a professional manner. Video must be presented/hosted on an organization’s website, and not solely on a site provided by a third-party (i.e., YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc.).

Online Video Sites: Organizations who regularly post video to online video sites (i.e., YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) may not include advertising with video gathered as a result of media access. Allowing users to embed these videos is not permitted, and the description of any video must include a link to NWSLsoccer.com.