North Dakota State essentially bans media unless they pay for rights

There is some interesting news regarding the North Dakota State athletic department.

According to Fargo newspaper The Forum, the university is essentially banning media outlets from covering any athletics unless they paid for exclusive media rights.

Without media rights, outlets will be prohibited from the following:

• Won’t be allowed to show extended game highlights on special TV programs.
• Won’t be allowed to broadcast or stream online live, regularly scheduled press conferences.
• Won’t be allowed to host radio shows, pregame or postgame coverage from NDSU facilities or grounds, including the Fargodome and its parking lot, on game days.
• Won’t be allowed to do live play-by-play blogging of games.
• Won’t be allowed to do one-on-one interviews with the head football or basketball coaches on radio, TV or internet in season without the written consent of NDSU.

“We’re just trying to protect our rights holders and protect ourselves,” said NDSU’s director of sales and broadcasting Jeremy Jorgenson. “We’ve grown so much that we need to protect our brand.

“This is nothing out of the ordinary. Most schools are doing this.”

We hate to break it to Jorgensen and the Bison, but most schools are actually doing nothing like this. It is limiting the national exposure for the university and does a serious disservice for the student-athletes on campus.

It’s unfortunate, but hopefully North Dakota State will wise up and allow the media to cover their program without first paying a king’s ransom.

After all, why wouldn’t they want to have the media discussing their programs throughout the season? More press means more exposure and excitement, which leads to more interest and money. Do the right thing, NDSU.

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