All-Star Varsity’s New Media Policy Sparks Discussion 📸

[TheCheerBuzz]

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Varsity’s Team Photography/Videography Rules and Guidelines for the 2024/2025 season have sparked discussions across the cheer community.

Some key points raising questions among people include:

• “Footage of full performances may not be published on the Internet or any other media, including, but not limited to, YouTube, Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, Instagram, and other streaming and/or social media platforms.”
• “Single clips of footage used for publication from any single performance on the Internet or any other media may not exceed thirty (30) seconds in length per clip and may not include a full performance.”

These guidelines have raised concerns about access to routine replays with music, the need to pay for VarsityTV to view performances, and limitations on how teams can share their routines and celebrate them.

Read the full policy here.

What are your thoughts on these rules?

 

[emo_wifey]

I'm not a lawyer, and I do not support Varsity at all and know they have been doing crazy stuff prohibiting programs from sharing videos of their teams/choreography/property on YT, but I do not think this specific policy means nobody can share full videos anymore. It sounds like it is specific to the credentialed team photographer, who may or may not be associated with the program otherwise. Look at other key points made in this same policy:

1. Backstage/warm-up room photography or videography of any kind is strictly prohibited. Photography or videography, including professional and personal cameras or video devices, is prohibited in the warmup area or any backstage area.
No more team photos taken by the coach backstage when everyone is focused.

10. For events held at the Walt Disney World Resort, photography and videography is not allowed in hotel rooms or public areas such as pools, restaurants, and hotel grounds.
No coaches or athletes will be allowed to take pictures anywhere around the resorts.

If the other points apply to teams and not just the credentialed photographer, these points apply too. I don't totally put it past Varsity to try to control everybody, but especially the statement before the list of rules makes me think these concerns are a little extreme.

"It is crucial that we all play our part in ensuring privacy, safety, and respect for all teams. As a team photographer, your support and commitment to following the rules and guidelines below are vital to maintaining a positive event environment."

 

[catlady]

1) Ownership. They (Varsity and FloSports) don't want Credentialed Media, nor Team Photographers and Videographers profiting off of what they own. I don't know anyone who wouldn't rather pay Joe Videographer on the side for a video with music, or wouldn't rather let Joe make money off of social media views so we could see videos free. With that said, I don't fault Varsity and FloSports, who own the rights, and can't play music on replays without paying royalty fees (MMA of 2018) making this rule.

2) When someone posts your kid on social media, you can't manage who sees it, what they do with it, nor how many people it has been shared with.

3) Permission. Whether Credentialed Media or Team Photographers/Videographers, they don't have every parents permission to post their child on social media and that includes anyone's child who may be in the distant background.

We can hate on our Corps all we want, but they (the ones who take in big revenue) are who the lawyers want to take to court. If a Corp, or sport governance, doesn't put specific policies in place, they can be held liable.

 

[caffeineandglitter]

I'm not a lawyer, and I do not support Varsity at all and know they have been doing crazy stuff prohibiting programs from sharing videos of their teams/choreography/property on YT, but I do not think this specific policy means nobody can share full videos anymore. It sounds like it is specific to the credentialed team photographer, who may or may not be associated with the program otherwise. Look at other key points made in this same policy:

1. Backstage/warm-up room photography or videography of any kind is strictly prohibited. Photography or videography, including professional and personal cameras or video devices, is prohibited in the warmup area or any backstage area.
No more team photos taken by the coach backstage when everyone is focused.

10. For events held at the Walt Disney World Resort, photography and videography is not allowed in hotel rooms or public areas such as pools, restaurants, and hotel grounds.
No coaches or athletes will be allowed to take pictures anywhere around the resorts.

If the other points apply to teams and not just the credentialed photographer, these points apply too. I don't totally put it past Varsity to try to control everybody, but especially the statement before the list of rules makes me think these concerns are a little extreme.

"It is crucial that we all play our part in ensuring privacy, safety, and respect for all teams. As a team photographer, your support and commitment to following the rules and guidelines below are vital to maintaining a positive event environment."

i agree these restrictions seem limited to people with credentials. So....why would anyone get credentials? If I get credentials, I can't post my niece's routine, but if I don't have credentials, I can?

 

[catlady]

i agree these restrictions seem limited to people with credentials. So....why would anyone get credentials? If I get credentials, I can't post my niece's routine, but if I don't have credentials, I can?

Professional team photographers/videographers have become popular at gyms selling their product to parents. What I imagine Varsity is trying to prevent is team photographer/videographers making money on something they own the rights to, and have partnered with companies such as FloSports and professional photograghers at their events.
"Team photographers," in the past, had no background checks, now they will be required to go through the USASF background process, be listed on the team roster, follow their country laws if Intl (UK example), and be media credentialed if filming multiple teams.

I understand companies not wanting others to make money on what they own but, more than that, I feel these kids deserve privacy and protection. As much as I love seeing team videos on social media, I've seen children get annihilated in the comments over a post they had no control over. Why not send photographs and videos to family via email or text? If someone isn't posting for likes, drama, and/or monetary gain, they're losing absolutely nothing and protecting kids from potential harm.

 

[TheCheerBuzz]

Clarification: This document is for media professionals seeking access to restricted areas at Varsity Events, not for parents or spectators.