NFMSS Media Policies and Procedures

These Media Policies and Procedures establish the official guidelines of the National Federation of Middle School Sports (NFMSS) regarding the dissemination of information related to NFMSS business and activities. This includes the issuance of media credentials, the granting of broadcast rights for radio, television, and other media platforms, as well as the general operating procedures for media representatives at NFMSS playoff, championship, and other designated events (collectively referred to as “NFMSS events”).

These policies are intended to protect the interests of NFMSS, its member schools, and student-athletes, and are enforced in accordance with NFMSS bylaws and applicable agreements with partnering educational governing bodies.

All school administrators, media organizations, editors, and broadcast personnel are expected to review and adhere to these policies as they apply to their respective roles.

NFMSS reserves the right to amend these policies at any time as deemed necessary. No exceptions to these policies may be granted by any media outlet, host school administrator, or event manager without prior written approval from the NFMSS National Office.

Media Access, Information Release, and Communication Policy

  • Members of the news media may purchase NFMSS publications, when available, at a cost determined by NFMSS. Please note that all publications are produced in limited quantities.
  • Official playoff pairings for each NFMSS team sport will be posted on the NFMSS website immediately following completion and verification by the NFMSS National Office.
  • NFMSS will not comment on any eligibility matter until it has been fully reviewed and resolved in accordance with established rules and regulations. At no time will NFMSS disclose personal or sensitive information that could compromise the privacy of any student-athlete involved.
  • The principal of the member school, or the individuals directly involved, may release information regarding an eligibility matter at their discretion.
  • NFMSS will not release, by telephone, electronic communication, or any other means, the names of student-athletes involved in or associated with any investigation concerning potential violations of NFMSS rules or regulations. Such information may only be disclosed by the member school administration or the individuals involved, if they choose to do so.
  • Furthermore, NFMSS will not comment on ongoing investigations involving member schools or individuals. Upon the conclusion of an investigation, and in cases where action is taken under the NFMSS Penalty Code, the member school administration or involved parties may release information at their discretion.
  • At NFMSS Championship events, media representatives can expect to receive media materials, including event notes and team rosters, upon arrival. When available, game statistics will be distributed as promptly as possible following each contest. Priority will be given to media representatives engaged in live broadcasts and those working under publication deadlines.

Policy for Photography, Film, Video and Audio at NFMSS Regionals, Playoffs and Championship Events

Unless otherwise authorized in writing by the National Federation of Middle School Sports (NFMSS), NFMSS retains exclusive ownership and copyright of all audio-visual materials associated with its events. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • All still photography taken at NFMSS playoff and championship events
  • All film, video, and audio recordings of NFMSS-sponsored events
  • All live and recorded audio and visual broadcasts

Photography, filming, videotaping, and audio recording at NFMSS competitions and championship events are strictly prohibited unless expressly authorized by the NFMSS National Office.

All broadcast, video, and title rights for NFMSS-sponsored events remain the exclusive property of NFMSS.

The sale, distribution, or reproduction of any photographs, video, or audio recordings from NFMSS events for personal or commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from NFMSS. Unauthorized use or distribution may result in the immediate revocation of media credentials and may subject the offending party to further legal action, including potential civil penalties.

Authorized Recording and Usage Policy

  • Designated representatives of participating schools may be permitted to take still photographs and record audio or video at NFMSS events, provided they are officially recommended by the school’s principal or appropriate administrator and have obtained the required media credentials from NFMSS.
  • Under no circumstances may any photographs, video recordings, or audio recordings—whether in whole or in part—be used for commercial purposes without prior written authorization from NFMSS and the payment of any applicable rights or licensing fees.
  • Non-Commercial Recording
  • NFMSS permits the recording of audio and video for personal, non-commercial use at all events, including playoff and championship competitions. This permission extends to parents or guardians of participating student-athletes, as well as employees of the participating schools, provided such recordings are not distributed or used for commercial gain.

Media Recording and Usage Policy

  • Members of the media are authorized, without paying a fee, to take still photographs and take short film, video and audio clips of NFMSS-events for print and electronic news coverage.
  • Under no circumstance may still photographs, films, videos or audio tapes, in full or in part, be used for any commercial purpose, unless authorized by, and a rights fee has been paid to the NFMSS.
  • The filming or taping of the majority of an NFMSS event is prohibited, unless prior approval is secured. The media outlet may not air a total of more than three (3) minutes of footage and any such footage must include visual credit to the NFMSS and the championship rights holder, if any.
  • The media outlet will not lend, give away or sell the film or videotape, in whole or in part, except only for the purposes hereinabove specifically set forth and/or in such cases as NFMSS requests for use by NFMSS.

Spectator Photography and Recording Policy

  • Spectators are permitted to take still photographs at NFMSS events for personal, non-commercial use only.
  • Under no circumstances may any photographs, video recordings, or audio recordings—whether in whole or in part—be used for commercial purposes without prior written authorization from NFMSS and the payment of any applicable rights or licensing fees.
  • All photography and recording must be conducted from designated spectator seating areas or other approved locations, where available. Access to the playing area or restricted zones is strictly prohibited without proper credentials.
  • Live streaming of NFMSS events by spectators through social media or any internet-based platform is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized transmission, broadcast, or distribution of any account, description, video, or audio of NFMSS events may result in enforcement action, including potential civil liability.
  • Spectators must not interfere with game play or disrupt event operations. NFMSS and/or host school representatives reserve the right to remove any individual from the venue for violations of this policy.

Digital Media Usage Restrictions

The National Federation of Middle School Sports (NFMSS) grants accredited media outlets a limited, non-exclusive license to use approved information and content collected during NFMSS events on their respective platforms.

This license is valid beginning at the commencement of an NFMSS event and remains in effect through the conclusion of the event, subject to the terms, limitations, and conditions outlined herein.

  1. Media outlets are permitted to use no more than ten (10) still photographs for news coverage and editorial purposes. All such photographs must be published on a time-delayed basis, defined as no earlier than thirty (30) minutes after the occurrence of the event depicted.
  2. Unless expressly authorized in writing by the NFMSS, video content may not be published on a media outlet’s website. The only exception is when such video is included as part of a single, online simulcast of a regularly scheduled television news broadcast.
  3. During live competition, the use of textual statistical updates must be both time-delayed and limited in scope. Permissible updates include general score information, injury reports, and notable achievements (such as record-breaking performances), as well as brief halftime summaries. Coverage must not replicate or substitute for play-by-play reporting in a manner that infringes upon the rights of authorized, rights-holding broadcast entities.