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PDGA-Owned Major Event & PDGA National Tour Media Regulations

Last updated: November 20, 2019

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The purpose of this document is to provide a clear set of regulations regarding media coverage of PDGA-Owned Major and PDGA National Tour events. The policy outlines the chain of command in place and the specific roles and tasks that the PDGA, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), media entities, and players have for these events.

Media Usage Rights

Prior to hosting a PDGA National Tour or PDGA-Owned Major event, the LOC must sign and complete the PDGA National Tour Agreement or PDGA-Owned Major Agreement. All video, audio, and photographic rights of the event are retained by the PDGA. Use of any sounds or images derived from the event must be authorized by written consent of the PDGA.

Any approved onsite media consents to share their videography or photography with PDGA and LOC for promotional purposes.

Media Ownership

Videographers and photographers retain ownership of any images or moving pictures captured at PDGA National Tour and PDGA-Owned Major events, unless otherwise contractually negotiated. Any resale or commercial use of images or moving pictures must be authorized by written consent of the PDGA.

Media Classification

Media at PDGA National Tour events are classified into three categories: Professional use, personal use, and editorial use. Personal use guidelines can be found in the PDGA Media Policy. 

The following regulations outline more details related to professional use and editorial use media.

Professional Use Media

Professional use media includes, but is not limited to:

  • Shot-by-shot round coverage videos that include all players on a card and are published by
    • an independent company unaffiliated with a disc golf equipment manufacturer/retailer; these productions may include advertising from disc golf equipment manufacturers/retailers
    • a company affiliated with the LOC or LOC’s presenting sponsor
  • Videography and photography captured or distributed by a disc golf equipment manufacturer/retailer
  • Videography and photography that is captured by an independent contractor with the intent to be sold
  • Disc golf manufacturer/retailer social media accounts
  • Lifestyle productions that are published by an independent company unaffiliated with a disc golf equipment manufacturer/retailer

All professional use media producers requesting inside the ropes access to sanctioned competition or to tournament grounds for pre- or post-round content production may do so via the PDGA Media Credentials Application Form. Access may be subject to a fee or additional guidelines not outlined in this policy.

Professional Use Media Responsibilities

PDGA Responsibilities

PDGA will approve media credential requests and facilitate the assignment of cards to Video Producers. PDGA will also facilitate the assignment, composition, and waiver request process for opening round feature cards.

PDGA will execute agreements with Video Producers to ensure coverage of the MPO1, FPO1, and MPO2 cards, at a minimum. LOC will be granted right of first refusal to purchase supplemental advertising on videos.

PDGA will monitor and enforce Video Producers’ adherence to the Video Producer Responsibilities outlined below. Violation of said policies may result in removal from the list of PDGA-approved Video Producers.

PDGA will contract a professional photographer to cover MPO and FPO feature/lead cards and capture photographs of course assets and spectator galleries throughout the event. LOC will be granted use of these photos for promotional purposes.

PDGA will send a media representative for the purpose of covering the event on social media and through PDGA.com.

Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Responsibilities

In agreeing to host a PDGA National Tour event, the LOC is granted the right of first refusal to sponsor round coverage videos. The LOC may assign this right to a presenting sponsor.

If the LOC or presenting sponsor waive their rights to sponsoring videos, or cannot reach a satisfactory agreement for advertising with Video producers, it is understood that Video Producers may acquire sponsorship independent of the LOC or presenting sponsor.

Because of this right of first refusal, Video Producers will not be restricted from covering the event, even if their eventual sponsors or advertisers conflict with those of the LOC or presenting sponsor.

Professional Use Video Producer Responsibilities

Approved Video Producers agree to seek sponsorship from the LOC or the LOC’s presenting sponsor first.

Live-streaming Video Producers will only be allowed to release condensed versions of their productions with express written consent from the PDGA. 

In exchange for being granted the right to film PDGA National Tour and PDGA-Owned Major events, all video filmed or live-streamed must meet the following criteria:

Minimum Quality Standards

At a minimum, round coverage must include:

  • Two cameras
  • Flyover hole previews (where FAA regulations allow)
  • 720p resolution
  • Professional scoring and leaderboard graphics

Introduction

The following information should be displayed in some way during the introduction for both post-production and live-streaming video:

  • Event name, as listed on the PDGA.com event page*
  • PDGA Tour name and/or logo*
  • Course name*
  • Player names*
  • Event name and/or logo*
  • Event presenting sponsor name and/or logo*
    • *must also be announced by commentators

Tour Logo

The PDGA National Tour logo or PDGA-Owned Major event logo must be displayed on the video’s leaderboard.

PDGA and LOC Promotional Material

All post-production Video Producers granted filming rights to are required to include the following:

  • Negotiated advertising with LOC or LOC’s title sponsor
  • One 15-second PDGA commercial (or agreed upon equivalent) in the back nine video any time before players tee off on hole 18

All live-streaming Video Producers granted filming rights to PDGA National Tour events are required to include the following:

  • Two LOC or presenting sponsor commercials for every hour of live-streamed video coverage
  • One PDGA commercial for every hour of live-streamed video coverage
  • A PDGA logo and event logo must appear on-screen at all times

The PDGA will provide Video Producers with official digital renderings of the PDGA logo, PDGA Tour logo, and event logo. Commercials will be distributed to Video Producers via both the PDGA and the advertisers with whom Video Producers negotiate.

Usage Rights/Content Sharing

In exchange for being granted the right to film events, all video production teams on site grant rights to the PDGA for use of video on social media or in additional non-commercial, promotional productions.

Video Producers will be required to share all requested footage from each round before departing tournament central each day.

Approved Professional Use Video Producers for PDGA National Tour and PDGA-Owned Major Events

The following video production teams are approved to request credentials for PDGA National Tour events:

  • Ace Run Productions
  • Central Coast Disc Golf
  • Disc Golf Network
  • Dynamic Discs
  • Epic DG Films
  • Gatekeeper Media
  • Jomez Productions
  • Par Save Productions
  • SmashboxxTV
  • The Disc Golf Guy
  • The SpinTV
  • SM Disc Golf Productions

Producers wishing to be added to the Approved Video Producers list may apply using the PDGA Media Credentials Application.

Professional Use Photographer Responsibilities

In exchange for being granted the right to photograph PDGA National Tour and PDGA-Owned Major events, all professional use photographers agree to the following:

PDGA may request two photos per day of competition for use on PDGA website or social media channels, in DiscGolfer Magazine, or by the LOC for event promotion purposes. Photographers will be credited by name, with appropriate links attached.

Photographers working for credentialed independent news media (newspapers, websites, magazines, etc.) are exempt from this policy upon verification of credentials by PDGA.

Editorial Use Media Responsibilities

All print and online media (newspapers, websites, magazines, podcasts, etc.) planning to attend PDGA-Owned Major and PDGA National Tour events must sign and complete the PDGA Media Credentials Application or request approval from the PDGA Communications Manager. If approved, media individuals will be granted the same "inside the ropes" access as all other approved media. Upon request, print and online media outlets will be provided event photography from the event’s contracted photographer.

Media outlets shall not interview players until after their scorecards have been turned in.

Required Media Credentials

Professional use media credential requests must be submitted at least 30 days prior to an event’s official start date. 

Editorial use media credential requests must be submitted at least five (5) days prior to an event’s official start date. 

These credentials allow those that are approved inside the ropes access before, during, and after the competition. All parties inside the ropes without media credentials (excluding players and caddies) will be directed to leave the area either by tournament staff or PDGA representatives.

In cases where no roped-off area exists, the LOC and onsite PDGA staff will work to ensure that the approved media outlets are not being interfered with by non-credentialed members of the gallery.

Members of approved media entities will be able to pick up their media passes from the LOC  or PDGA representatives at player check-in or tournament central. The passes must be displayed in some manner at all times during the event, visible to the LOC, the PDGA, other media entities, and the gallery.

The PDGA Media Credentials Application includes terms of engagement that must be read and agreed to prior to submitting the form.

Unauthorized Media Outlets

Professional use media outlets who do not communicate with the PDGA and LOC per the guidelines in this policy will not be allowed to attend. If unauthorized media teams show up to an event unannounced, the PDGA or LOC reserve the right to restrict these teams from the property.

Player Responsibilities

By registering for a PDGA National Tour or PDGA-Owned Major event, players consent to allow their image or likeness to be used by the PDGA, LOC, and approved media outlets before, during, and after the event. Players shall not request that their likeness or images be withheld from approved video productions or photographs during the event. Exception: Players requested for a first-round featured grouping (via the composition of a champions card, by the results of a fan vote, or some other method of card composition for media purposes) may opt out of video coverage for the opening round of play.

Players at PDGA National Tour or PDGA-Owned Major events shall be available to all media outlets on site except during or within 15 minutes of their tee time and during their round.

Players shall be available for in-person media requests for up to 30 minutes after their scorecards are turned in.

Any questions or concerns related to the above policies shall be directed to the PDGA Communications Manager.

Tags: 
PDGA MEDIA, Media Policy, Media Regulations

PDGA Media