NCAA and NASCAR restrictions on freelance?

Greetings all,

After a hiatus on sports photography my partner and I are trying to

re-break into the game. Since we live in a town with a major

university we approached the media department for credentials with

the understanding that they would recieve first rights on anything we

do. We would offer images to other publications on a secondary basis.

I've done this in the past and always had good results on both sides.

It has been common practice for this university as well.

According the the media relations director, the NCAA will not allow

members to credential freelance shooters who plan to sell images in

this manner. Is this correct or am I suffering from not having the

connections I had 4 or 5 years ago? While most of my friends in the

media department have moved either up or on, it would seem that media

credential restrictions have gotten very tight. It doesn't appear to

stop them from handing out passes to big money donors with an old

Minolta and a 50mm lens but for those of us who have supported them

in the past well...sorry.

Second question: I am also told from someone who shoots a lot of it

that NASCAR has claimed ownership of every photograph shot by anyone

attending any NASCAR event and will not allow sales by freelance

shooter without their approval. Yes or no? I understand all of these

organizations have gotten used to the big money but holy smokes!!

Rick H.

The NCAA should have a web site. Have you contacted them to find out what is the current policy (and situation?) Once you have done that, you might consider seeking a administrator at the college and ask again. Worse thing that can happen is they will say no.

As for NASCAR, it depends on what the ticket allows you to do. If you pay for entry and the 'photo use' restriction is on the ticket, you may have a tough time. But if the ticket has no restrictions, shoot away and if they decide you are 'big-time' enough, they will go after you. If you are in business, you should have a lawyer you can consult....