The Iowa High School Sports Network will begin charging viewers for live-streamed high school championship games — something the Iowa High School Athletic Association opposes and has filed a court petition to stop.
IHSSN plans to charge viewers to watch state baseball tournament games July 17-21. A single game will cost $9.99, or viewers can pay $18.99 to view the entire tournament.
The network holds the media rights for the nonprofit IHSAA and has provided free viewing access to state tournaments via television and streaming formats. The IHSAA sanctions annual boys state tournament events in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field and wrestling.
In a statement on Twitter, the IHSAA said it objects to the network's plan to charge the public. On Wednesday, the organization filed a petition for declaratory relief in Polk County District Court.
"IHSAA will continue to strive for free public access to broadcasts of its championship events," it said in the statement.
The IHSAA has provided free event broadcasts since the 1950s, when it aired the boys state basketball tournament.
In 2010, the IHSAA entered into an exclusive broadcast, marketing and media rights agreement with IHSSN. The agreement says IHSSN will offer a free livestream of the state baseball tournament finals, according to a letter the association's lawyers wrote to the network and that is included in court documents. The agreement is valid through the 2023-24 school year.
IHSSN plans to charge viewers to watch state baseball tournament games July 17-21. A single game will cost $9.99, or viewers can pay $18.99 to view the entire tournament.
The network holds the media rights for the nonprofit IHSAA and has provided free viewing access to state tournaments via television and streaming formats. The IHSAA sanctions annual boys state tournament events in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field and wrestling.
In a statement on Twitter, the IHSAA said it objects to the network's plan to charge the public. On Wednesday, the organization filed a petition for declaratory relief in Polk County District Court.
"IHSAA will continue to strive for free public access to broadcasts of its championship events," it said in the statement.
The IHSAA has provided free event broadcasts since the 1950s, when it aired the boys state basketball tournament.
In 2010, the IHSAA entered into an exclusive broadcast, marketing and media rights agreement with IHSSN. The agreement says IHSSN will offer a free livestream of the state baseball tournament finals, according to a letter the association's lawyers wrote to the network and that is included in court documents. The agreement is valid through the 2023-24 school year.
IHSAA takes court action against IHSSN that plans to charge to watch state tournaments
Iowa High School Sports Network will charge viewers for live-streamed championship games — something the Iowa High School Athletic Association opposes.
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