CREDENTIALS
Sounders FC season-long media credentials are issued to recognized newspapers, magazines, digital affiliates, television and established radio stations making reasonable requests. As a general policy, the club does not grant freelance photographers access unless assigned to shoot for a specific story or project. Special requests can be submitted to a member of Sounders FC Communications and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
ROAD CREDENTIALS
Media members traveling to road games should submit requests for credentials to the Sounders FC Communications Department no later than five (5) business days prior to the road game.
MEDIA WILL CALL
Members of the media needing to claim matchday credentials can find the Media Will Call booth located at the southwest corner of CenturyLink Field. Each person must pick-up his or her own credential and present corresponding photo identification. Media Will Call opens two hours prior to the scheduled kickoff. All media must enter through the press gate entrance located at the southwest entrance. Media credentials will not be honored at any other entrance. All credentials are non-transferable, and any unauthorized use subjects the bearer to ejection from CenturyLink Field and confiscation of the credentials.
BROADCAST
In making requests for broadcast credentials, please specify requirements for spotters and/or statisticians. These services must be arranged in advance, and once they are made the statisticians must be compensated whether used or not. Broadcast booths are located in CenturyLink Field’s Gary Wright Press Box.
PARKING
A limited number of parking passes are available for working members of the media. Members of the media seeking parking passes are advised to make their requests as early as possible. Please note that Sounders FC is not able to accommodate all requests. A limited number of TV news trucks are allowed to park on the CenturyLink Field east access road. TV trucks that provide satellite, uplink or microwave functions need to make prior arrangements with a member of Sounders FC Communications.
GARY WRIGHT PRESS BOX
The Gary Wright Press Box at CenturyLink Field is located on the suite level on the west side of the stadium. The press box opens two hours before kickoff on Sounders FC matchdays. Admittance is limited to working media members with valid credentials. The press box is intended for the purpose of providing a work place for writers, reporters, broadcasters and match personnel. It is imperative that season pass holders notify the Sounders FC Communications of their intention to cover a game in order to receive press box seating. Family members and guests will not be accommodated in the press box. Abuse of press box press privileges will result in forfeiture of a press pass.
TELEPHONE / WIRELESS ACCESS
Several pool phones are placed throughout the press box. Remember pool phones are to be shared. Courtesy hard lines are available. CenturyLink Field offers wireless internet access in all areas of the press box. The access is free of charge and works with all Wi-Fi-enabled computer equipment. Media wishing to pay for dedicated LAN connections should contact Sounders FC Communications.
GAME NOTES / STATISTICS
Game notes and statistics are available in the Gary Wright Press Box. Statistics will be distributed to each seat throughout the game at halftime and 10 minutes following the final whistle. Periodic announcements will also be made during the game.
LOCKER ROOM ACCESS
Following the conclusion of each Sounders FC home match, a postgame news conference will be held in the Sounders FC media room adjacent to the home locker room in the south end of CenturyLink Field. Sounders FC and visitor locker rooms are located near the southeast tunnel on field level. Your cooperation and professional courtesy is asked in maintaining a proper working atmosphere for post-match interviews. Absolutely no autographs are allowed during media access periods.
MEDIA CELL PHONE USE
No media member may use a cell phone at any time inside the locker room, other than as a recording device during interview periods. Media members may carry their cell phones into the locker room and use them as recording devices, but may not use them to place or take calls or photos.
FIELD ACCESS
Only working newspaper, magazine and network TV photographers and club/stadium officials are permitted on the field during the game. Press box passes will not be honored for field admittance at any time, unless authorized by Seattle Sounders FC Communications. PHOTOGRAPHERS
ENG crew and still photographers holding proper credentials may position themselves along either endline at field level. Immediately prior to each match, photographers who wish to shoot the traditional pregame team photo will be escorted on cue to the midfield sideline by photo marshals. Photographers will be instructed to walk only on the sidelines – never on the field of play – en route to these temporary sideline positions. Once team photos have been taken, photographers will be directed to quickly return to their endline photo positions. During the match, photographers are advised that they have restricted freedom of movement. At no time during the match can photographers shoot from directly behind the goal. Also, movement from one end of the field to the other is allowed only at halftime on the sideline opposite the team benches. Still photographers DO NOT have access to the locker rooms at any time.
PHOTOGRAPHER BIBS
Each accredited photographer is issued a specially designed photo bib/vest provided by Sounders FC for identification purposes as a mandatory supplement to the credential. The photo bib serves as a temporary access control device and must be returned to the photo marshals area at the end of each match. The photo bib must be worn at all times while present at any photo position. Photographers in unauthorized shooting positions or not wearing a bib risk suspension of their credential.
PHOTOGRAPHERS’ WORK AREA
The Photographers’ work area is located at the back of the press box. MEALS Food and beverages are available to working members of the media in the Press Box.
DURING THE WEEK
Training Access:
During the regular season, training sessions typically run 75-90 minutes and usually begin at 10:00 a.m. PT. Training times can and frequently do vary. Members of the media who intend to cover training sessions on a regular basis should call the Sounders FC Communications Department to obtain the latest training schedule information. Training sessions will, in general, be open to the media, but they may be closed at the discretion of the technical staff. No media members are allowed into the locker room before, during or after training sessions.
Interviews:
Interviews that require advance preparations or special accommodations by a Sounders FC player or staff member should be made by calling or emailing the Sounders FC Communications Department.