University of Tennessee Athletics
Basketball Practice Coverage Guidelines
NOTE: For the purposes of these guidelines, the term “practice” refers not only to standard on-court basketball practice sessions but also any other practice-related activities, including, but not limited to: conditioning, weights, film sessions and individual workouts.
MEDIA VIEWING AREAS
Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center: Media must observe practice from the media seating area behind the east baseline. If this area is unavailable, media must observe practice from the seats in the South 100 Level (Sections 119-123). Videographers and photographers may shoot from the floor but should return to the aforementioned area when not shooting or when asked by a member of the Tennessee Media Relations staff. Producers and announcers from the television network that is scheduled to air the next Tennessee game may observe from the television position on the south end of the arena (midcourt).
Pratt Pavilion: Media must observe practice from the balcony overlooking the court on the west side of the facility. Videographers and photographers may shoot from the floor (west sideline and north baseline) but should return to the aforementioned area when not shooting or when asked by a member of the Tennessee Media Relations staff. Shooting photos and/or video from the Pratt balcony is prohibited at all times.
Items Off-Limits to Media
The publishing, posting or broadcasting of—either directly or via an intermediary—information specific to player personnel, lineups, an opponent or game-specific strategy gleaned from practice is prohibited. This also applies to message boards and all forms of social media. Any communication between Tennessee personnel and/or staff and players that is not intended to be made public is off limits. Media members may not talk to players during practice.
If a player is limited in practice or not participating—or if a player is injured during the course of practice—any reporting related to their status is prohibited until the coaching staff has had a chance to address it (every reasonable effort will be made for that to take place immediately after practice). Please respect that there may be instances in which the coaching staff asks media not to report on the situation at all.
Radio or Online Broadcast
Participating in a live radio or online broadcast, during which University of Tennessee athletics is a topic of conversation, is prohibited while the participant is in view of practice or any practice-related activities. Any and all exceptions—such as live radio remotes during preseason media day—must be approved at least one day in advance by the Tennessee Media Relations staff.
Video
With the exception of videographers from network television affiliates (game crews), all media members wishing to shoot video at practice must receive prior approval from the Tennessee Media Relations staff. And with the exception of pre- or post-practice interviews, all video content that is broadcast or posted online must be no more than three minutes in duration, per practice. Posting video that includes offensive audio content (such as cursing) or gameplan-specific audio is prohibited.
The use of live video-streaming platforms (such as Facebook Live and Periscope) inside the practice site is prohibited at all times.
