Credential Requests and Criteria

CREDENTIAL CRITERIA

The University of Kentucky’s decision to issue credentials to a media outlet for the purposes of covering a Kentucky athletics event is determined by a variety of factors:

• Priority is given to outlets based on circulation size / household reach / unique site visitors (see below)
• Additional consideration is based on amount of original content generated, number of full-time employees of the outlet, length of existence of the outlet and the journalist experience of the reporter(s)
• Attendance at Kentucky media sessions, including Olympic sport opportunities and the intention/ability to cover all 22 sports at Kentucky both at home and on the road, also is considered
• Professionalism, which includes but is not limited to conduct at games, press conferences, practices, on social media, etc.

Being granted credentials at another institution/event does not equate to meeting the criteria for the University of Kentucky. Being granted credentials for one UK event does not guarantee approval for other UK events. The University of Kentucky has the right to deny or revoke credentials under its own discretion. Credentialing also is dependent on space availability.

Outlets must be in compliance with the NCAA, Southeastern Conference and UK Athletics media policies.

APPLYING FOR FOOTBALL AND MEN’S BASKETBALL

For football and men’s basketball, credential requests will only be accepted through Sports Systems at sportssystems.com/kentucky. Credential requests should come from the sports editors/directors of your media outlet only.

The window to apply for game credentials will open a minimum of two weeks before game day and close five days before the game. For football, the deadline is noon Monday of game week. For men’s basketball, an example of deadline is Thursday prior to a Tuesday game, Monday prior to a Saturday game, etc.

Once the sports editor/director has entered their information, you will click the button to add a request for any staff member that desires to cover a specific game. You will then return to the system as game requests open to request additional games for your staff by clicking the + sign on the main credential page for the game desired.

Once you have entered a request, you will be sent an email with information on how to check the status of your request and modify that request. You must use this link to re-enter the system to modify your request or to enter requests for future games during that application window.

Questions in regards to the application process can be can be made to Evan Crane, UKACPR office coordinator, at 859.257.3838 or wesley.crane@uky.edu.

PRIORITY CRITERIA FOR MEN’S BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL (Outlets that cover UK on a regular basis)
Note:  for men’s basketball an outlet MUST attend at least 90% of the team’s home games to receive NCAA Tournament credential consideration

Wire Services: Associated Press and other established news/photo services which operate on a national basis and have covered Kentucky Athletics regularly.  Note: because of limited space in Kroger Field and Rupp Arena, not all photo services that attempt national distribution will be accommodated.

Newspapers: All newspapers must be dailies with a Sunday edition and own a circulation of at least 14,000. Preference will be given to those newspapers which cover all Kentucky competitions (home and away). Newspapers which cover all home events receive the next priority.

Television stations: Stations must broadcast in 400,000 homes. Stations must also have a regular nightly sports segment with a full-time sports director/talent. Priority will be given to those stations which cover all Kentucky competitions (home and away). Stations which cover all home games will receive the next priority.

Radio Stations: Stations must have a daily (M-F), at least one hour, sports-only show in a city with population of at least 300,000. Only the permanent on-air talent will be granted credentials. Priority will be given to those stations which cover all Kentucky competitions (home and away). Stations which cover all home games will receive the next priority.

Internet Sites: Outlets must be affiliated with a national publication/network OR reach at least 20,000 unique site visits a month on average over a six-month time period. Preference will be given to outlets who cover all Kentucky competitions (home and away). Outlets which cover all home events receive the next priority.

Student Media: Established University of Kentucky student outlets that cover Kentucky athletics regularly.

Hall of Fame: Sports media members who have been inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and remain active with UK Athletics coverage or commentary.

Additional Media: Outlets that cover Kentucky Athletics regularly but do not fall into one of the above categories will be considered on a space-available basis.

ADDITIONAL CREDENTIAL CRITERIA FOR MEN’S BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL

National Media: National media outlets that routinely provide coverage of collegiate athletics or other outlets as reviewed on a case-by-case basis for individual events.

Visiting Team Media: Visiting team media representatives will be approved by the visiting media relations director.

Newspapers: Daily or weekly newspapers that are recognized by the Kentucky Press Association. Consideration will be given based on distribution size and outlets that have covered Kentucky Athletics regularly.

TV Stations: Network affiliated stations within the state of Kentucky. Consideration will be given based on reach and stations that have covered Kentucky Athletics regularly.

Radio Stations: Consideration will be given based on reach and stations that have covered Kentucky Athletics regularly.

Internet Sites: Consideration given number of average unique visitors per month based on a six-month time frame.

All Other Requests: Will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.   

ALL OTHER SPORTS

Please check with the respective sports communications directors in advance for credential windows as they will vary from sport to sport. Sports other than men’s basketball and football will accept credential requests via email to the communications directors.

You can find a listing of the communications directors here.