Credential Requests & Criteria
| Credential Criteria |
DePaul University reserves the sole right to issue media credentials for its home sporting events. Credentialing decisions are based on several factors which together are intended to provide a working atmosphere conducive to professional media coverage and practices. Credential priority for all sports is given to professional media outlets that cover DePaul Athletics on an active, consistent and comprehensive basis. Authorized outlets are established, active, legitimate journalistic endeavors with a proven history of comprehensive coverage.
Credential criteria includes but is not limited to: outlets based on circulation size/household reach/unique site visitors, amount of original content generated, number of full-time employees of the outlet, length of existence of the outlet and the journalistic experience of the reporter(s), attendance at DePaul media sessions, including Olympic sport opportunities and the intention/ability to cover all 15 DePaul sports both at home and on the road, professionalism, which includes but is not limited to conduct at games, press conferences, practices, social media, etc.
Requests for non-DePaul-hosted events will be issued and handled by a third party. If you have questions on those events, reach out to a member of the DePaul Athletics Communications staff. Being granted credentials at another institution/event does not equate to meeting the criteria at DePaul nor does being granted credentials for one event guarantee approval for other DePaul events. Being granted credentials at DePaul also does not guarantee the holder credentialed access at road or neutral events. DePaul owns the right to deny or revoke credentials at its own discretion.
| Priority Criteria for DePaul Athletics Credentials |
Wire Services: Associated Press and other established news/photo services which operate on a national basis and have covered DePaul regularly. Because of limited space in DePaul facilities, not all photo services that attempt national distribution may be accommodated.
Newspapers: Preference will be given to newspapers which cover all of DePaul’s games or the opposing team. Newspapers that cover all home games receive the next priority.
Television Stations: Preference will be given to those stations which cover all DePaul games or the opposing team. Stations must have regular nightly sports segments with a full-time sports director/talent.
Radio Stations: Radio credentials will be limited and granted on a space-available basis. DePaul and the visiting team hold primary radio broadcasting rights. Considerations for additional radio broadcasts will be made as space allows. Visiting student radio stations wishing to cover the contest must do so on a regular basis and will be accepted as space allows.
Magazines: Magazines who maintain a regular, consistent publication bases may be considered for credentials. Magazines must show a prior affiliation to DePaul, BIG EAST or other college athletics.School Outlets: Credentials for school outlets are limited to each participating institution. A maximum of two press and two photo credentials will be considered, based on available space and may differ from contest-to-contest.
Internet Sites: Credentials will be granted to the official website of each participating institution, the BIG EAST and contractual rights-fee paying media and/or the official online service of the national network televising the game. Also receiving consideration will be websites that are part of a national network and those that are affiliated with a national entity of another form and/or those organizations whose primary purpose is gathering news and disseminating it and for which other commercial activities are ancillary (e.g. espn.com, cbssports.com, si.com, etc.)
Online media with an emphasis on the recruitment of prospective student-athletes (that meet the above qualification) can request a credential(s) for the purpose of writing a game/event recap. These requests will be reviewed on an individual basis by the DePaul Communications Department. Contact with prospective student-athletes while at DePaul events is strictly prohibited.
- Due to the multitude and wide-ranging requests from outlets that fall under this category, all requests are subject to review by the DePaul Communications department with emphasis on the following areas:
- Must show intent to be a viable news organization, not a fan-centric site.
- Overwhelming majority of content must be original-news stories, not satirical/fan-related posts or re-posts of non-original news from other media outlets.
- Cannot be inflammatory toward other schools, media outlets.
- Must have an established record of meeting the above criteria, either by individual or organization.
Credentials will not be granted to any online operating sites that are affiliated with gambling. Nor will credentials be granted to “fan-submitted” or un-edited sites that are not affiliated with an established news-gathering organization and/or sites whose sole entity is fan-generated message boards that allow the posting of anonymous comments.
Blogging: The DePaul Communications department does not credential bloggers. Media representatives already covering the game for an approved media outlet may participate in blogging in accordance to other media policies.
NCAA Compliance: Credentialed media members must adhere to NCAA rules and any NCAA violations are grounds for the revocation of a credential. Contact with prospective student-athletes is strictly prohibited on DePaul grounds/property.
Parking Passes: Parking passes may be requested at the time of credential application. When space is limited, organizations may be limited to one parking pass per outlet. Requests must be made in advance of any scheduled athletic contest.
| Men's and Women's Basketball Requests |
Basketball requests should be submitted online at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Credentials. All requests should be made a minimum of 24 hours prior to the contest. Submitting the above form does not guarantee a credential, and a member of the communications office will reach out via email with more information following your request.
Any requests made through text, phone call, in person or email will not be honored.
| Olympic Sports Requests |
Olympic Sport credential requests shall be made to the sports primary communications contact (unless otherwise directed). Requests shall be made in writing through e-mail a minimum of 24 hours prior to the contest. Requests shall not be made over the phone, in person or through text. Any requests made after the 24-hour mark may be unable to be accommodated.
Credentials can be picked up at the following locations:
Wintrust Arena: Prairie Avenue Security Entrance (located on S. Prairie Avenue across from the Marriott Marquis entrance) opens two hours prior to tipoff.
McGrath-Phillips Arena: Main foyer of Sullivan Athletics CenterCacciatore Stadium/Wish Field: Ticketing table located on Letterwinners Plaza
| Credential Policy |
This credential is solely for providing venue access to an authorized individual (collectively, with their employer, outlet, entity, or organization, defined as the “Holder”) working on a specific assignment for a legitimate news organization or as an authorized provider of game-related services in connection with DePaul University (“DePaul”), the Big East Conference, the NCAA, and the events, activities (including those pre-game and post-game), and interviews, relating thereto (collectively “EVENT”). Credentials do not imply any guarantee to access, are of limited duration, and are non-transferable. DePaul, or its designee, may revoke credentials at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion. By accepting this credential, Holder acknowledges that they have reviewed, understood, and agree to DePaul Athletics’ policies concerning credentials, interviews, photo/video requests, event photography, and practice coverage (https://depaulbluedemons.com/sports/2018/7/27/ot-media-relations-html), Interview Policies, Photo/Video Requests) as well as these terms and conditions. Holder agrees to follow all applicable policies, including any such policies or procedures governing conduct and speech at the Event or venue, as well as any applicable rules, regulations, and laws (federal, state, and local). Any unauthorized use of this credential or violation of its terms may subject Holder to ejection from the venue, revocation of the credential, denial of access to future DePaul University events, civil liability, criminal prosecution for trespass, and/or any other remedies available under law.
Unless expressly authorized in writing by a staff member of the DePaul Athletics Communications department, the use, distribution, exhibition, reproduction, adaptation, display, performance, or publication in any form of any photograph, drawing, film, audio recording, video recording, account, or description of the Event, or any excerpt of the foregoing, taken or made by Holder, shall be limited to news coverage of the Event by the assigning news organization to which this credential is issued.
Holder: (i) assumes all risk incident to the performance of services, assumes all risk incident to Holder’s attendance at the Event,; and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Holder shall, during and after the Event, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless DePaul and its trustees, directors, officers, faculty, employees, student-athletes, affiliates, contractors, and agents, past or present, against all losses, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, liabilities, damages, expenses, fees and costs (including but not limited to reasonable fees and costs for attorneys, witnesses, professionals, alternative dispute resolution and courts) from or arising out of Holder’s attendance of the Event including any actual or alleged: (a) personal injury or property damage; (b) misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or breach of covenant or other promise by Holder of any representation, warranty, covenant or other promise in this Agreement; and (c) infringement by Holder of any third party’s patent, trademark or copyright.; and (ii) grant permission to DePaul, it affiliates, and their respective designees to utilize without compensation Holder’s name, image, likeness, and voice in any photograph, recording (audio and video), streaming, live transmission, and/or other transmission or reproduction of the Event and excerpt thereof for any purposes, including promotional purposes, without further authorization or consideration.
This credential is governed by Illinois law.
Holder shall display the issued credentials at all times and consents to the reasonable inspection of their person and property in connection with the Event. Proof of identity may be required. While within the venue, Holder shall, at all times, adhere to the policies in place for the Event, as well as access limitations, and direction provided by DePaul, the NCAA, the Big East Conference, and venue staff (including Wintrust Arena). Holder shall not, at any time, display, post, or otherwise reproduce the credential image on any digital platform, including online social media sites or applications. Additionally, Holder shall not broadcast, telecast, film, record, transmit, display, or otherwise distribute, or allow any other party to distribute footage or content of the Events on a live basis, including via any real-time online streaming application. Holder agrees to abide by any and all relevant NCAA and Big East conference policies including but not limited to those concerning licensing, trademarks, media rights, and videographers. It is Holder’s responsibility to learn and follow all applicable rules of the event facility (for basketball, details at WintrustArena.com). Acceptance of this credential constitutes agreement by Holder to abide by the foregoing terms and conditions.