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Tennessee State University

Media Relations Credential Policy

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA CREDENTIAL & ACCESS POLICY
 
Tennessee State University Athletics welcomes coverage from professional and accredited news-gathering organizations. The Tennessee State Athletics Media Relations Office coordinates media credentials, interviews, practices and event access for all Tennessee State athletic programs.
 
Media credentials are issued to working media for the purpose of providing editorial coverage of Tennessee State Athletics. A credential is a working privilege and not a ticket for admission or general access.  A maximum of two (2) working credentials may be allotted to a single media outlet for each game. Credential requests and access will be reviewed and approved on a game-by-game basis.

IMPORTANT: Submission of a credential request does not guarantee approval. Approval of a media credential does not guarantee parking, field or sideline access, or access to any specific media working area.
 
All credential requests are subject to review, available space, event requirements and the discretion of Tennessee State Athletics Media Relations.
 
CREDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY
 
Credentials are intended for individuals on assignment for established media organizations providing original news, sports, photography, video or broadcast coverage.
Priority may be given to:
  • Local, regional and national news organizations.
  • Media organizations that regularly cover Tennessee State Athletics.
  • Television and radio organizations providing original sports or news coverage.
  • Newspapers, wire services and recognized print publications.
  • Established digital news organizations producing original reporting.
  • Recognized national and regional sports media.
  • Approved photographers and videographers working on assignment.
  • Recognized student media organizations.
  • Media organizations regularly covering the visiting institution.
When evaluating credential requests, Tennessee State Athletics may consider:
  • The nature and purpose of the assignment.
  • The outlet's history of covering Tennessee State Athletics or collegiate sports.
  • The frequency and consistency of original coverage.
  • Whether the outlet operates as an established news-gathering organization.
  • Editorial oversight and professional standards.
  • Available press box, field, photo or other working space.
  • The applicant's previous compliance with Tennessee State, conference, NCAA and venue policies.
  • Safety, security, broadcast and event operational requirements.
 Membership in a media or writers association does not automatically qualify an individual for credentials. Likewise, affiliation with a national media organization does not automatically guarantee approval.
 
Approval for a previous Tennessee State event does not guarantee approval for future events.
 
DIGITAL MEDIA, PODCASTS, FREELANCERS & CONTENT CREATORS
 
Tennessee State Athletics recognizes the changing media landscape and will consider requests from established digital publications, podcasts and other digital news organizations.
 
Requests will be evaluated based on the outlet's journalistic purpose, history of original reporting, editorial oversight, consistency of coverage, audience and professional standards.
 
Follower counts, social media engagement or affiliation with a national platform alone do not qualify an individual or organization for credentials. Priority will generally be given to organizations whose primary purpose is gathering and distributing original news or sports content.
 
Credential requests may be denied to outlets that primarily:
  • Aggregate or repost content produced by other organizations.
  • Operate as fan-focused entities without an established news-gathering operation.
  • Produce primarily promotional, commercial or entertainment content.
  • Cannot demonstrate consistent original reporting.
  • Have demonstrated a pattern of inflammatory, abusive or unprofessional conduct.
     
Freelance writers, photographers and videographers may be considered when working on a specific assignment for a recognized news organization. Tennessee State Athletics may require verification of the assignment from an editor, producer, sports director or other appropriate representative of the assigning organization.

Independent photographers and videographers seeking access primarily for commercial, promotional, recruiting, personal or portfolio purposes are not considered working news media unless specifically approved by Tennessee State Athletics.
 
No individual under 18 years of age will be issued a media credential unless specifically approved as part of a recognized student media organization or educational program.
 
CREDENTIAL USE, CONDUCT & RESTRICTED AREAS
 
Credentials are issued to a specific individual and are non-transferable. Credentials may not be loaned, sold, duplicated or provided to another person. Credentialed media members must comply with instructions from Tennessee State Athletics, university personnel, security, venue management, game officials and conference representatives. Media members may only enter areas authorized by their credential.
 
Unless specifically authorized, media credentials do not provide access to:
  • Locker rooms.
  • Team meeting rooms.
  • Athletic training or medical areas.
  • Coaches' offices.
  • Team buses or other team transportation.
  • Team hotels.
  • Recruiting areas.
  • Team bench areas.
  • Other designated restricted areas.
 
Media members are expected to conduct themselves professionally while working Tennessee State Athletics events. Cheering, confronting participants or officials, interfering with event operations, using abusive or profane language, or behaving primarily as a spectator in designated media areas is prohibited. Credentials may not be used to solicit student-athletes, coaches, staff, recruits, guests or spectators for unauthorized commercial purposes.
 
PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO & SIDELINE ACCESS
 
Field and sideline access is limited to approved individuals whose working assignment requires such access.
 
A general media or press box credential does not provide field or sideline. Individuals must possess the appropriate credential or access designation. Photographers and videographers must remain within designated working areas and comply with all Tennessee State, Ohio Valley Conference, NCAA and venue regulations. Media must remain outside team bench areas and may not obstruct players, coaches, officials, television personnel, medical staff, chain crews, security personnel or other working media.
 
Credentialed media working near the playing surface must remain alert to game action and are responsible for protecting themselves and their equipment. Tripods, lighting, remote cameras and other equipment may be restricted based on available space, venue rules, television agreements and safety requirements. Live video, livestreaming, continuous game-action video or real-time distribution are prohibited based on broadcast agreements, conference policies, NCAA regulations or Tennessee State Athletics policies. Tennessee State Athletics reserves the right to relocate or remove an individual from a field-level or courtside working area when necessary for safety or event operations.
 
MEDIA INTERVIEW & PRACTICE POLICY
 
Media members seeking interviews with Tennessee State student-athletes, coaches or athletics staff must coordinate requests through the Tennessee State Athletics Media Relations Office.
Requests should be submitted by email or telephone with sufficient advance notice. Media members should not independently contact student-athletes to arrange interviews. Student-athletes, coaches and staff members personal telephone numbers and other private contact information will not be released to the media.
 
Football media day is scheduled for Tuesday’s prior to practice. Team practice times may vary throughout the season. The Ohio Valley Conference offers media members a conference-wide coaches press conference on zoom. If you would like to participate, please contact the Tennessee State Athletics Media Relations department for the link and set time for each teams coaches.
 
Interview availability is determined by academic schedules, practices, meetings, travel, competition, medical treatment and other team responsibilities. Last-minute interview requests may not be accommodated.
Practice Access
 
Practice access varies and may be open, limited or closed at the discretion of the head coach and Tennessee State Athletics. Media members wishing to attend practice must contact the Media Relations Office in advance. When permitted, the preferred time for student-athlete interviews is generally prior to practice. A Tennessee State Athletics Media Relations representative will assist with approved interviews. Team meetings before, during or after practice are private and closed to the media.
 
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
 
Tennessee State Athletics Media Relations coordinates postgame interviews following home contests. When applicable, a cooling-off period may be observed before coaches and requested student-athletes are made available in the designated interview room on the service level at Nissan Stadium. Media should submit student-athlete interview requests to the assigned Media Relations representative before the conclusion of the contest whenever possible. Tennessee State locker rooms are closed to the media unless specifically authorized.
 
MEDIA PARKING
 
Media parking is limited and allocated separately from media credentials. Parking availability is based on venue capacity, event operations, security requirements, television production needs and other logistical considerations. Priority may be given based on the operational needs of media organizations actively covering the event. Parking credentials are non-transferable and may only be used for the event for which they are issued. Media members who are not issued parking are responsible for making alternate transportation or parking arrangements and for any associated fees. Parking locations and procedures may vary by venue and event.
 
2026 TENNESSEE STATE FOOTBALL CREDENTIAL PROCEDURES
 
Credential Request Form
2026 FOOTBALL CREDENTIAL REQUEST FORM
All requests must be submitted through Tennessee State Athletics' designated credential application process.
 
Season Credentials
 
2026 Tennessee State football season credentials are intended primarily for media organizations providing regular coverage of the program throughout the season. Season credentials will be distributed before the Aug. 29 home opener. Once approved, media members should coordinate a date and time with a Tennessee State Athletics Communications staff member to receive their credential.
 
Single-Game Credentials
 
All single-game credential requests must be submitted by noon two days before the applicable game. Requests submitted after the deadline will not be honored except under extraordinary circumstances as determined by Tennessee State Athletics Media Relations.
 
Visiting Team Media
 
Media covering the visiting institution must submit requests through Tennessee State's credential application. Tennessee State Athletics will consult with the visiting institution's athletics communications office as necessary when reviewing those requests.
 
Digital Parking Passes
 
All football media parking passes will be digital for the 2026 season. Media members who are approved for parking may be required to create or maintain a Ticketmaster account or other account designated by the applicable venue to receive their parking pass. Parking instructions will be communicated directly to approved recipients.
 
FIRSTBANK STADIUM
AUG. 29 — TENNESSEE STATE VS. JACKSON STATE
 
The 2026 John A. Merritt Classic between Tennessee State and Jackson State will be played at Vanderbilt University's FirstBank Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 29. Media procedures for this game will be coordinated by Tennessee State Athletics in conjunction with Vanderbilt University and FirstBank Stadium personnel. Because this game is being played at FirstBank Stadium, media members must follow all applicable FirstBank Stadium security, entry, parking and facility procedures in addition to Tennessee State Athletics credential policies.
 
Media Parking
 
Media parking at FirstBank Stadium will be extremely limited and issued based on availability and operational needs. Approved parking information, including lot location and entry procedures, will be communicated directly to media members receiving a parking credential. Media members who do not receive parking should make alternate transportation or parking arrangements.

Media Entrance & Credential Pickup
 
Media entrance, credential pickup, press box access and game-day procedures for FirstBank Stadium will be communicated to approved media before the game. Media should not assume that procedures used at Nissan Stadium apply to FirstBank Stadium.

Field Access
 
Only approved photographers and videographers with the appropriate field access designation may access the sideline. All other credentialed media must remain in their assigned working areas unless otherwise directed by Tennessee State Athletics.
 
NISSAN STADIUM
 
Tennessee State's remaining 2026 home football games will be played at Nissan Stadium. Media members covering games at Nissan Stadium are subject to Tennessee State Athletics policies as well as applicable Nissan Stadium security and facility regulations.
 
Media Entrance
 
The Nissan Stadium media entrance is located at Gate 6 on the northwest side of the stadium. Approved media needing to pick up a credential on game day should report to the designated media credential location at or near Gate 6 unless otherwise instructed.
 
Media Parking
 
Media parking at Nissan Stadium is limited and will be assigned based on availability and event operations. Specific parking lot assignments and entry instructions will be provided with approved digital parking credentials. A valid parking credential is required to enter designated media parking areas. Media members without an approved parking credential are responsible for making alternate parking arrangements and paying any applicable parking fees.

Television & Production Vehicles
 
Television trucks requiring satellite, uplink or other production functions must receive advance approval. Approved production vehicles will receive specific parking and entry instructions from Tennessee State Athletics and/or Nissan Stadium personnel.
 
Sideline & Photo Access
 
Sideline and photo credentials will be issued to approved working photographers and videographers. Photographers and videographers must remain outside team bench areas and within designated photography locations. Only credentials specifically designated for field access permit entry to the sideline. Writers, radio personnel and other credentialed media may not access the field unless specifically authorized. Pregame and postgame field access may be restricted based on event operations.
 
NIL & COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
 
An NIL partnership with a Tennessee State student-athlete does not qualify an individual or organization for a media credential. NIL relationships do not provide additional access to student-athletes, practices, sidelines, locker rooms, interview areas or Tennessee State Athletics facilities. Media organizations with NIL relationships will be evaluated using the same credential standards as all other applicants. Media credentials may not be used primarily to produce commercial or promotional content connected to an NIL agreement, sponsor, advertiser or other commercial entity without prior approval from Tennessee State Athletics.
 
CREDENTIAL DENIAL, SUSPENSION & REVOCATION
 
Tennessee State Athletics reserves the right to deny, restrict, suspend or revoke credential privileges when an individual or organization fails to comply with established policies or when access interferes with safety, event operations or legitimate working media activities.

Violations may include, but are not limited to:
  • Entering unauthorized or restricted areas.
  • Transferring, sharing or misusing a credential.
  • Failure to follow instructions from athletics staff, security or venue personnel.
  • Interfering with student-athletes, coaches, officials or event operations.
  • Harassing or threatening student-athletes, coaches, staff, officials, spectators or other media.
  • Unprofessional or disruptive conduct.
  • Violating photography, video, livestreaming or broadcast restrictions.
  • Using media access primarily for unauthorized commercial or promotional purposes.
  • Misrepresenting an individual's identity, assignment or media affiliation.
  • Providing false or misleading information on a credential application.
  • Violating Tennessee State's student-athlete interview policies.
  • A documented history of violating Tennessee State, conference, NCAA or venue credential policies.

Depending on the nature and severity of a violation, Tennessee State Athletics may issue a warning, restrict access, remove an individual from an event, revoke credentials for a specific event, suspend credential privileges for a defined period or deny future credential requests.
Serious violations may result in immediate revocation.
 
POLICY ACCEPTANCE & FINAL AUTHORITY
 
By accepting and using a Tennessee State Athletics media credential, the credential holder agrees to comply with Tennessee State University, Tennessee State Athletics, applicable conference, NCAA and venue policies and instructions. All media members working from fields, sidelines, courtsides, baselines and other areas near active competition must remain alert to game action and comply with all safety instructions. Tennessee State Athletics reserves the right to establish credential limits, determine media working locations, modify access and revise procedures based on available space, safety, security, broadcast requirements and event operations.

All policies are subject to change.
 
Final approval of media credentials, interview access, photography and video access, field or sideline access and media parking rests with Tennessee State Athletics Media Relations and designated Tennessee State Athletics administration.
 
Credential Application Acknowledgment
 
The following acknowledgment should be included on the Tennessee State Athletics credential request form:
 
By submitting this credential request, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to comply with the Tennessee State University Athletics Media Credential & Access Policy. I understand that submission of this request does not guarantee approval of a media credential, parking pass or any specific level of access.