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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
NCAA Tournament Internet
Robby Gallagher, Student/Intern, Photo Editor
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Brookings | SD | USA | Posted: 10:20 PM on 03.09.11 |
->> I remember there being a post last year that talked about internet usage at college arenas durning the NCAA tournament. However, I am having a hard time locating it and I feel as if I may have misinterpreted the thread.
What I am wondering is... Is there a fee for using and transmitting images from the given arenas during the NCAA tournament? I shot the South Dakota State vs Oklahoma at Oklahoma, for my school paper last year, but would like to open up to the local papers here in South Dakota this year.
I would really appreciate any information that some of the more seasoned photographers have on this issue. Thanks! |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 10:27 PM on 03.09.11 |
->> No, there is generally no free Internet at the NCAA tournament sites.
The credential application has the information on ordering Internet for the various tournament venues.
Occasionally a venue will not deactivate their (ordinarily) free media Internet. But generally speaking, the venues will charge a pretty hefty fee, looking at this as a revenue
-generating part of hosting the event.
ALSO --- Using data cards can be done, but in my limited experience in covering these events, I have found them to be less than useful. (The service is generally overloaded because so many people are using the system in the immediate area.)
Good luck. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 10:35 PM on 03.09.11 |
->> South Dakota is hosting an NCAA tournament regional?
This is what I have from the NCAA Tournament media guide for tournament sites:
Second and Third Rounds Denver, CO, March 17 and 19; Pepsi Center (17,019); Mountain West Conference, host Tampa, FL, March 17 and 19; St. Pete Times Forum (17,977); University of South Florida, host Tucson, AZ, March 17 and 19; McKale Center (12,600); University of Arizona, host Washington, D.C., March 17 and 19; Verizon Center (16,568); Georgetown University, host Charlotte, NC, March 18 and 20; Time Warner Cable Arena (16,563); University of North Carolina-Charlotte, host Chicago, IL, March 18 and 20; United Center (18,120); Big Ten Conference, host Cleveland, OH, March 18 and 20; Quicken Loans Arena (18,984); Cleveland State University, host Tulsa, OK, March 18 and 20; BOK Center (16,593); University of Tulsa, host
Regionals Anaheim, CA, March 24 and 26; Honda Center (14,755); Big West Conference, host New Orleans, LA, March 24 and 26; New Orleans Arena (16,032); Tulane University, host Newark, NJ, March 25 and 27; Prudential Center (16,441); Seton Hall University, hosts San Antonio, TX, March 25 and 27; Alamodome (30,565); University of Texas-San Antonio, host
Final Four Houston, TX, April 2 and 4; Reliant Stadium (approximately 76,500); University of Houston, Rice University, hosts |
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Robby Gallagher, Student/Intern, Photo Editor
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Brookings | SD | USA | Posted: 10:47 PM on 03.09.11 |
| ->> No, South Dakota isn't. It would be great. Last year I drove down to OK from SD to shoot the game. SDSU has made it to the tournament again and if I am able to make it to the venue, I just want to be prepared. Thanks! |
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Robby Gallagher, Student/Intern, Photo Editor
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Brookings | SD | USA | Posted: 10:49 PM on 03.09.11 |
| ->> I also figure that it would be a first round game, possibly a second round game as well... So I am not sure how many people will be there. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 10:50 PM on 03.09.11 |
->> Oh ... This sentence was confusing:
"...but would like to open up to the local papers here in South Dakota this year."
Sounded like you were asking about a regional being hosted in your town.
The credential application has the information on ordering Internet access at whatever venue your school ends up in.
Good luck! |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:59 PM on 03.09.11 |
| ->> Robbie, as bert said there is no free internet at ncaa sites....the rates for photographers are usually somewhere around $350/site event. it usually gets more expensive at each site....I can't exactly remember from last year but I thought it was something like $750 for the final four. usually the ncaa shuts down ANY and ALL free wireless networks at any arena....they might work for a while but once the ncaa techs find a free signal they usually have it shut down. this of course is division I. I have no idea how they work DII or DIII sites. |
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Patrick Fallon, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | USA | Posted: 11:07 PM on 03.09.11 |
->> Its quite expensive as Robert and Chuck say - $350 for a hardline. I used a Sprint 3G card when we were in Glendale, AZ for Mizzou's appearance Elite Eight a few years back. The writers had access to a wireless connection for about $12 a day -but many places will not allow photogs to get this. YMMV. You may also want to look at the thread on here about "double dipping" credentials for multiple clients.
Good luck dude! |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:40 PM on 03.09.11 |
| ->> A caution to those of you who might rely on a myfi, 3g card, or hi-speed stick. although these things worked great several years ago they are almost surely going to fail now. the incredible explosion of smart phones and big venues is a recipe for failure. we have found trying to use any cellular apparatus in the last six months at any and all big events fails. with 10-15,000 people trying to update the FB pages and send photos through their phones at large events the data speeds are awful. we have three different cellular devices and none of them worked worth a damn during football games. when the game was over and the fans were gone they work great. I would think at a smaller venue you might get away with your cellular device. but would I totally rely on it to make deadline? not a bet I would want to get involved with. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 1:53 AM on 03.10.11 |
->> Just to reinforce what Mr. Liddy says above: Don't count on Verizon data cards, etc. working during the game.
While they may work hours before tip off when nobody is in the arena, when it comes deadline time, you could be in serious trouble when the network is jammed up.
Yes the arenas and the NCAA hold the media ---especially photographers --- hostage with high Internet access fees. But if you want to make a deadline, you have really have only one reliable option.
As they say in athletics: Pay to play... |
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Robby Gallagher, Student/Intern, Photo Editor
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Brookings | SD | USA | Posted: 1:59 AM on 03.10.11 |
| ->> Awesome. I am glad I have this figured out now. Thanks everyone! |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 10:38 AM on 03.10.11 |
| ->> And yes, the NCAA and venues do not want photographers on the writers Internet access because they say we take up too much bandwidth. That's the reason why they usually have a separate Internet access for photographers and charge a premium rate. |
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Luke Sharrett, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Washington | DC | United States | Posted: 12:33 PM on 03.10.11 |
| ->> Robby, talk to the publications you want to shoot for, and if you get credentialed ask them about covering your expenses. |
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Tim Vizer, Photographer
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Belleville | IL | USA | Posted: 12:47 PM on 03.10.11 |
->> I agree with what Bert and Chuck and the others say about the data cards and the necessity of paying for a hard-wired line or a private WiFi network provided by the NCAA.
When the women's Final Four was in St. Louis a couple years back, I was covering it for MCT and was lucky to get out with my cell card. Transmission speeds were okay, but not great.
I can't imagine doing that now, with the aforementioned explosion of smartphones and everyone updating FB, Twitter, writing emails and whatnot all throughout the venue. And the officials DID shut down the normally free WiFi router signal we use for hockey or other events there.
One photographer, as I recollect, tried to circumvent this, and initially he was told by the NCAA to cease and desist. When he tried it a second time -- and when he was discovered (they will find your signal!) -- his credentials were yanked, AND those of his writer! |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 12:53 PM on 03.10.11 |
| ->> Photographers must order a hard line in the photo workroom and the rate this year is $200 at each Regional site for one computer connection. That is down from past years. However, hard wired access at Reliant Stadium for the Final Four will be $475. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 2:00 AM on 03.11.11 |
| ->> $200!!! what a bargain! they must have made up for the money in sales of t-shirts. |
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Robby Gallagher, Student/Intern, Photo Editor
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Brookings | SD | USA | Posted: 2:13 AM on 03.11.11 |
| ->> I have talked to the publications that I would be shooting for. Both of them don't want to cover the cost plus my cost. Usually when they don't want to cover extra cost, they hire an AP photographer. |
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Joel Hawksley, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens | OH | USA | Posted: 2:40 AM on 03.11.11 |
| ->> For what it's worth, internet was free at the opening rounds of the MAC tournament today. |
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Michael Ip, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 3:48 AM on 03.11.11 |
->> Joel,
From my experience the conference tourneys are usually free because they are hosted by the conferences not NCAA. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 8:36 AM on 03.11.11 |
->> Joel, your comment is a sticking point for many. Often times a site will host a conference tournament and have free Internet access for all media and then the next week it hosts an NCAA opening round and everyone has to pay.
Seems to most if the arena can offer free for the conference then the same can be done for the NCAA. But, it doesn't work that way.
Anyone who gets credentialed for a regional, applications open again Sunday evening after the selections, will get a confirmation e-mail with a link to ordering Internet with the appropriate options available.
Again, the only option a credentialed photographer can choose is the wired connection for $200. You can attempt to go it with a cell card but I wouldn't trust them in crowded arenas with tons of phones sending photos, texts etc. And if you use a Verizon Mi-Fi or Sprint Overdrive make sure you turn off the wireless access and use it attached USB to your computer because independent wireless networks are not allowed. |
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Michael Ip, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 3:54 PM on 03.12.11 |
| ->> Hmm. Just a thought. And I know the technology is brand new, but would 4G mobile internet work? Most people do not have 4G phones, so that bandwidth should be fairly unused right? |
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Andrew Fielding, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 4:12 PM on 03.12.11 |
| ->> Michael, it is very likely 4G will work because at this point there aren't enough devices out there to clog up the networks. Also I've been getting some insane speeds on my Verizon card today while hanging here at SFO. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 4:50 PM on 03.12.11 |
->> I've had great luck at MLB games here with 4G, but, as always, anytime you try a wireless technology in a room crowded with folks eating up various frequencies and bandwidth your mileage may vary.
I think 4G cards will be great for another year or so, then with more and more 4G phones we will start to see slow down there. |
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Mark Smith, Photographer
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Elk City | OK | USA | Posted: 2:03 AM on 03.15.11 |
->> I was using a Sprint air card in KC last week, with the intentions of have a great 4G signal in the Sprint Center. The 4G signal in the workroom was weak, while the 3G signal was very strong. The thing I discovered is that I could usually transmit with some semblance of relative speed while a game was underway. Immediately at halftime, or after a game was over, the speed went from 40-50 kbs to literally .6 kbs. As soon as there was no basketball being played, everyone pulled out their devices, got on facebook, or started texting and bam, bad, bad, baaaaad transmission. Occasionally, I could then switch to 4G and get something through, but sometimes I couldn't connect. I would leave images in the ftp queue to start the second half and once the game started back up, they'd get through while I was on the court.
Now, I'm heading to Tulsa on Thursday and I know 4G won't be an option, at all. As well, I have no idea if I'll have a decent 3G signal in the workroom. |
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Jerry Lai, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Chicago | IL | USA | Posted: 3:38 AM on 03.15.11 |
->> For those of you traveling to Chicago, don't count on your aircards working (Sprint or Verizon). I used to have the Sprint 4G service, but finding 4G Sprint service was about as elusive as finding a unicorn. Colleagues and friends of mine have already told me they've tried Sprint service at the United Center without luck once games started. So I switched back to Verizon about 5-6 weeks ago.
I went to the United Center on 3/14/11 with a packed house for the Blackhawks game to test out my the new VZ 4G card (which FLIES... cable like speeds). Verizon 4G in the work room in the basement kept cutting in and out, and the max signal strength was two bars. 3G gave me full bars, but images would not push through when I did my test in the workroom while the first period was in progress.
That said, I do know for a fact that Verizon 3G does work in a full house if you go to the concourse level, as I did that during the Stanley Cup playoffs last year. BUT it is very slow, so you have to compress your images pretty significantly, and only do try to transmit at a time. |
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