Getting credentialed

[Sneed]

This might be something of a "doy" question for a lot of you, but as a young freelancer, I was wondering how one goes about getting "credentialed" for access to games for which I'd like to string, or if I'm doing a freelance feature piece on an athlete or coach, etc. Do I need to contact the teams each individual event I'd like to cover, or is there some type of all-encompassing pass I can obtain?

Mainly thinking about D-I and pro sports here, but I guess it applies to everything as a freelance writer.

Many thanks.

 

[zebracoy]

You'll need to contact the individual in charge of access at each of those events, and even then, unless you have something concrete lined up, it may be difficult to get a pass.

 

[cranberry]

If you have an assignment from a credible publication it should be no problem. Typically, the publication will contact the PR office of the organization holding the event and arrange the credential for you.

 

[Ace]

If you have an assignment from a credible publication it should be no problem. Typically, the publication will contact the PR office of the organization holding the event and arrange the credential for you.

Yeah, but you better make sure and ask.

 

[cranberry]

If you have an assignment from a credible publication it should be no problem. Typically, the publication will contact the PR office of the organization holding the event and arrange the credential for you.

Yeah, but you better make sure and ask.

Absolutely. This should be part of the assignment discussion.

 

[Oggiedoggie]

Can't you just show them your press card?

 

[Ace]

Can't you just show them your press card?

If it's laminated, you're in.

 

[Stitch]

My HP printer and my wife's laminator will surely get me into the Super Bowl this year.

 

[forever_town]

If you have an assignment from a credible publication it should be no problem. Typically, the publication will contact the PR office of the organization holding the event and arrange the credential for you.

Yeah, but you better make sure and ask.

Absolutely. Don't just sit and expect the media organization to have done the legwork.

Also, if you're stringing for an outlet, you probably want to ask them for some kind of note from the editor you're working for. Just to make sure you cover all the bases.

I will add the caveat that I had one of my student interns cover a Maryland women's basketball game once, and my e-mail and/or telephone call was enough to ensure that he got in to cover the game. However, I'd be absolutely certain before taking that drive to the venue.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

Does blowing the SID still work?

 

[Ace]

Does blowing the SID still work?

Only for minor sports.

 

[BillyT]

Does blowing the SID still work?

Only for minor sports.

There are no minor sports.

Just attendance-impaired sports.

 

[Sneed]

Does blowing the SID still work?

Only for minor sports.

There are no minor sports.

Just attendance-impaired sports.

That's awesome.

 

[Mark2010]

My HP printer and my wife's laminator will surely get me into the Super Bowl this year.

Yeah, but you'll be stuck in the "auxiliary press area" with a view worse than the one in your living room.

 

[NQLBLQ]

My HP printer and my wife's laminator will surely get me into the Super Bowl this year.

Sadly, I used a "media" pass to a completely different event (College TV station pre-game show) to get on the field, in the press box, and in the post-game press conference at a D-1 football game once. It was a a plain white laminated 4X4 square that had "MEDIA" printed on the front.

Oh, and if it's college, find the Sports Information Director for the sport. Usually you can go to the schools athletic site and under "communication staff" or something of the sort they will have each SID listed for each sport.

Good Luck!