LPGA swings and misses

[buzz1941]

Ha! The LPGA has installed press restrictions so ridiculous that the Associated Press and the Star-Bulletin aren't covering the tour -- this is making national news -- although it looks like the Advertiser had access. Seems the rules were drawn up by a USA Today exec.

Here's the SB story

[Linkmeister]

Re: LPGA swings and misses

It would be interesting to know what restrictions the PGA, NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL put on photos of those athletes.

This is just plain marketing idiocy.

[pzarquon]

Re: LPGA swings and misses

As far as I can tell, the extent of the requirements the LPGA is imposing are way beyond any other professional sports league, let alone any group that not only allows but depends on "earned media" coverage for its success and survival.

Concerns over commercial use of images and material from its events make perfect sense. Asserting ownership of images and material created by independent media is absolutely ridiculous. And they're going beyond that and saying, "Oh, by the way, if we want to use your photo and story on Michelle Wie for our own marketing, you're going to call every source and/or person pictured and handle legal clearances/releases for us!"

Did the Advertiser sign on? I notice in their "Golf Update" for today, even in the stories about Wie, all the photos are library photos from previous events. I presume other media will do the same, since ownership and control of content they pay to create is a pretty big deal.

[dick]

Re: LPGA swings and misses

>>>>It would be interesting to know what restrictions the PGA, NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL put on photos of those athletes.
<<<<

Nothing like the LPGA nonsense. I just shot the NFL Pro Bowl and essentially the credential says that we can't use the photos for any other purpose than for bona fide editorial usage. And I didn't have to sign anything.

I was a little disheartened to see coverage (http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/p...602230327/1032) of the tournament by the 'Tizer in this morning's paper.

Although a look at thier site just now shows this (as "breaking" news):

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../br/br10p.html


For more reading fun on the issue:

http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/newswir..._id=1002073520

http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/...02/apgolf.html

[pzarquon]

Re: LPGA swings and misses

I was a little disheartened to see coverage of the tournament by the 'Tizer in this morning's paper.

Sounds like they ended up with an extra day of material, since they got access despite not signing the agreement.

The paper's golf reporter had had been given a credential yesterday although she had not signed the documents. Today, after covering golfer Michelle Wie's first nine holes, the reporter returned to the press room and declined to sign a credential form with the new restrictions and was told to leave the press room.

I guess those Gregory Yamamoto shots will be the last ones folks will see out of the tournament, unless the LPGA relents.

[Linkmeister]

Re: LPGA swings and misses

This LPGA behavior reminds me of a certain Federal Administration which shall remain nameless. The vetted guests at its events, the secrecy surrounding its policy decisions...

[YoungNeil]

Re: LPGA swings and misses

ESPN story...

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2342390

[pzarquon]

Re: LPGA swings and misses

AP and LPGA settle dispute on restrictions

In a joint statement, the parties said they had resolved “the most significant issues.”

“The LPGA has always intended for its credentials to provide media companies with the same rights to use news and information obtained at LPGA events that are available from other mainstream sports leagues and governing bodies,” the statement said.

“AP is satisfied with assurances from LPGA that its regulations were never intended to and don’t limit access or editorial use of information and photos obtained at their events,” it said.