Rodeo Applications and Approvals | Media Tools | Properties & Sponsorship

Press Kit

Issuing press credentials to identify working reporters and photographers is a common practice at all major professional sporting events and your rodeo should be no different. The practice enables you to keep track of who is doing what, and to control who has access to restricted areas. The following section outlines procedures recommended when issuing credentials.

Maintaining a press credential list
1. Compile a list of press members who will want to cover your rodeo.
2. Compile a list of press members who request credentials.
3. Keep detailed records of credential requests to include:
  1. Name, address, telephone number, fax number and email address of person making request.
  2. Name of media outlet they represent.
  3. Number of passes requested.
  4. Dates of the performances requested.
  5. Type of access requested/needed (i.e. reporter, photographer, TV outlet).
Preparing and issuing press credentials for the media
1. Color code your credentials – for example, red for reporters and blue for photographers.
  * Color-coding badges identifies the type of access the bearer is granted and enables your staff to quickly identify the bearer and assist with what they might need.
2. Verify all credential requests.
  * Media credentials should only be distributed to journalists of recognized news outlets who are on assignment to cover the event and/or the PRCA. Journalists must represent recognized daily or weekly newspapers; news services; recognized publications and outlets that regularly cover rodeo; recognized national/regional radio and television networks; local radio and television stations; and/or recognized Internet sites. In each case, this is determined by the PRCA and the respective rodeo at their sole discretion.
  * Freelance journalists and photographers must provide proof of assignment to be considered for accreditation. They also must sign a form confirming that the images taken will only be used for that specific publication and for that specific story. Contact the PRCA Photo Department for the release form.
  * Require all media outlets requesting to cover your rodeo to make requests early enough for you to verify them. If you have questions on any media outlets and their purpose, please feel free to contact the PRCA Media Department.
  * Make sure everyone knows which credentials are being honored and the type of access the bearer is permitted.
  * Work with media representatives who failed to meet your credential request deadline. Most of these press members are legitimate and have identification cards from their respective employers. Taking just a few minutes to verify who they are, then issuing credentials on the spot avoids damaging months of hard-earned public relations.
Photographers and arena access
1. The PRCA retains all rights in and to the filming, taping, recording in any media now or hereafter known, still footage/photography, radio or television broadcasting or reproduction in any manner or form thereof of any PRCA-sanctioned event. The only exemption is coverage for local, regularly scheduled newscasts. Any non-local news outlets must first get approval from the national PRCA office and the local rodeo before it can shoot footage at any PRCA-sanctioned rodeo.
2. Only accredited photographers may shoot at a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo.
  * Freelance photographers will not be accredited without proof of assignment for a specific media outlet and without signing an agreement for limiting usage of the images to the specified assignment.
  * Only PRCA photographers are allowed to shoot in the arena. The only exception to this is for a post-rodeo ceremony shot, if applicable. PRCA card-holding photographers should be given arena access whenever possible. They know best how to put your rodeo in a good light.
  * Photographers must shoot from designated photo areas. Photographers may not shoot behind the bucking chutes during a rough-stock event except with specific committee approval and may only shoot from there for timed events with the appropriate approval.
3. As a general rule, limit the number of arena-floor photographers to no more than five.
4. Larger rodeos should assign an arena-experienced committee member to assist legitimate in-arena photographers and keep them from interfering with rodeo action.
5. Because of cumbersome equipment, which equates to a potentially dangerous situation, television crews should always be accompanied by a committee member and should not be allowed in the arena.
6. PRCA card-holding photographers are the only ones that have the right to sell their photos. No other photographer should be allowed to sell the photos or use them for any purpose other than what they were assigned.
Non-arena photographers
1. For safety reasons, inexperienced rodeo photographers should generally be required to work from behind the arena fence.
2. No legitimate news photographer should be required to work from the grandstands unless there is a specific press area for them to shoot from.
Media representatives who need special access
1. Because of deadlines, or other special circumstances, all media representatives – photographers, writers, radio and television personnel – might need access to contestants in the bucking-chute ready area or dressing rooms. Make every effort to accommodate them.
2. For safety reasons and to avoid overcrowding, rotate the media personnel and always supervise any media activity in those areas.
Writers who don't require special access
1. Seat these reporters in the grandstands in an area with a good view of the action or above the bucking chutes in the announcers stand if available.
2. Provide them with a program, daysheets and rodeo results as soon as they are available.
3. Regardless of the size of your rodeo, it is wise to have a press room. Without question, larger rodeos should have a press room.
For additional media guidelines refer to the PRCA Media Guide.