IHSA Announcements

April 8, 2008

Joint Illinois High School Association-Illinois Press Association Statement

The following is a joint statement announcing the settlement of litigation regarding the ongoing photo dispute between the Illinois High School Association, Executive Director, Marty Hickman and Illinois Press Association, Executive Director Dave Bennett:

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and the Illinois Press Association (IPA) are pleased to announce that they have reached a court-sanctioned agreement settling a dispute over the sale of news photos and access to IHSA events. The agreement signed by both parties yesterday resolves pending litigation.

 “We have always welcomed and encouraged press coverage of our events,” said Marty Hickman, executive director of the IHSA. “This agreement is a balance between the interests of newspapers and the IHSA’s responsibility to manage high school sporting events effectively.”

“We are happy to resolve this issue,” said David L. Bennett, executive director of the IPA. “Illinois newspapers always have been strong supporters of high school sports and academics, and we look forward to getting back to that focus.”

Under the binding settlement agreement, the IHSA and the IPA agree to four key points:

  1. The unrestricted use and sale of images by newspapers.
  2. The IHSA retains the right to hire an official photographer that will not have preferential access to events except for training, promotional and educational purposes.
  3. The IHSA may continue to credential newspaper representatives and establish shooting zones for safety purposes.
  4. The press credentialing process will not be used to limit floor, field or site access for newspaper photographers.

“We recognize the important role the IHSA plays in managing high school sports and other competitive events in Illinois, and we respect that,” Bennett said. Newspapers’ interests in high school athletics, very simply, have always been to cover the events thoroughly and to serve our communities without restriction.”

“The IHSA understands the value of newspaper coverage of high school sports,” Hickman said. “This settlement will allow both of our organizations to get back to doing what we do best.”