The Iowa High School Athletic Association will begin allowing the live video streaming of lead-up postseason sporting events in the 2018-19 school year. The television or internet broadcasts will be available through an application and fee structure from media outlets or interested parties.
Previously, the IHSAA’s postseason policy only allowed for tape-delayed video. The NFHS Network holds rights and maintains right of first refusal for IHSAA postseason events, and the Iowa High School Sports Network holds state tournament broadcast rights for football, wrestling, basketball, track and field, and baseball. Access fee payments will be submitted to the IHSAA, of which the host school will receive 50%.
IHSAA executive director Alan Beste: “Many of our member schools already live stream events throughout their athletic seasons, either with a school program or local media affiliate. This policy change gives out-of-town or out-of-state fans and family members a chance to continue watching in the postseason, while also maintaining structure and value in a changing digital landscape.”
Applicants are responsible for working with host site managers to coordinate setup, credentialing, production, etc., and their entry and work space in the venue is at the discretion of the host site manager. The IHSAA can assist or mediate any concerns media members may have in this process.
Access fees for baseball, basketball, football, and soccer will be assessed per game. Golf, swimming, tennis, and wrestling will have fees assessed per day. Sports with co-ed postseason qualifiers – bowling, cross country, and track and field – will not be available for streaming in 2018-19.
For more information, please review the attached forms or contact IHSAA communications director Chris Cuellar at ccuellar@iahsaa.org. More details will be announced as 2018-19 sports approach their postseason events.