Media Credentials

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS INTRO 

Thank you for your interest in covering the Empire Strykers.

Media credentials are available to qualified members of the working press representing legitimate, verifiable newsgathering or content-producing organizations. Credentials may be requested for the full season or individual matches and events, with all requests reviewed and approved by the Empire Strykers on an individual basis. Submission of a request does not guarantee credential access, and membership in a writers', broadcasters', or other media association does not automatically qualify an organization or individual for credentials.

FULL-SEASON MEDIA PASSES

Media organizations seeking full-season credentials must submit their request on official company letterhead. Requests should include the media outlet, name of each representative requesting a credential, phone number, email address, and a statement of intent to cover more than 50% of Empire Strykers home matches during the season.

A current headshot of each individual requesting a credential must also be included with the submission.

Full-season credentials are intended for media organizations that plan to provide consistent coverage of the Empire Strykers throughout the season and remain subject to approval and continued compliance with all credential policies.

SINGLE-MATCH & EVENT CREDENTIALS

Media requesting credentials for an individual Empire Strykers match or event should provide the same representative and media organization information required above, along with the specific match or event date(s) being requested.

Single-match credentials are reviewed and approved on an individual event basis. Approval for one match or event does not guarantee approval for future events.

ONLINE-ONLY OUTLETS & BLOGGERS

Online publications, independent digital outlets, bloggers, and similar media requesting credentials must provide the information required above along with:

• The URL of the website or publication represented
• A brief description of the outlet and its primary purpose
• A brief overview of website traffic and/or audience
• The applicant's background in journalism, reporting, photography, broadcasting, or content production
• The type of Empire Strykers coverage the outlet intends to produce

All online-only credential requests will be reviewed individually. Fan sites and independent outlets may be subject to additional review, and the Empire Strykers reserve the right to deny or revoke credentials at their discretion.

PHOTOGRAPHERS, VIDEOGRAPHERS & AUDIO MEDIA

All credentialed still photographers, digital photographers, videographers, and audio media personnel are also required to complete the Empire Strykers Publicity Release and submit it with their media credential request for each applicable event.

Photography, video, audio, broadcast, and field-level access may be subject to additional restrictions and approval.

SUBMITTING YOUR REQUEST

All media credential requests should be submitted no later than 24 hours prior to the requested match or event via the form on this page.

Upon approval, the Empire Strykers will provide confirmation along with instructions regarding credential pickup, media entrance, arrival information, approved access areas, and any additional event-specific requirements.

Please do not arrive at the venue assuming your credential request has been approved. Only applicants who have received confirmation from the Empire Strykers should expect credentialed access.

All credentials are non-transferable and remain subject to Empire Strykers, MASL, venue, security, and event-specific policies.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

APPROVAL & PICKUP

Approved applicants will receive confirmation from the Empire Strykers with additional instructions regarding credential pickup, media entrance procedures, parking when applicable, arrival times, and approved access areas.

Do not arrive at Toyota Arena assuming your credential request has been approved.

Only individuals who have received confirmation from the Empire Strykers should expect credentialed access.

Credentials must be displayed as directed by team and arena personnel while inside credential-controlled areas.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

USE

Empire Strykers media credentials provide privileged and revocable access to approved areas for the sole purpose of performing legitimate media duties on behalf of the organization identified in the credential application.

Credentials are:

NON-TRANSFERABLE
Only the individual to whom the credential was issued may use it.

EVENT-SPECIFIC
Access is limited to the matches, events, dates, and areas authorized by the Empire Strykers.

REVOCABLE
The Empire Strykers reserve the right to revoke credentials or access at any time.

FOR WORKING MEDIA PURPOSES
Credentials may only be used while performing the approved media function for the organization represented in the application.

Lost or stolen credentials should be reported immediately to the Empire Strykers.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

MEDIA ACCESS

Credentialed media must follow all instructions provided by Empire Strykers staff, Toyota Arena personnel, security, and other authorized event personnel.

A credential does not automatically provide access to every area of Toyota Arena.

Access may be limited to designated areas including:

• Press/media seating
• Approved photography positions
• Mixed zones
• Interview areas
• Press conferences
• Designated field-level locations
• Other areas specifically approved by the Empire Strykers

Locker rooms, team areas, tunnels, benches, playing surfaces, offices, and other restricted areas may require additional authorization.

Credential holders entering unauthorized or restricted areas may have their credentials revoked.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Approved photographers may capture still photography from locations designated by the Empire Strykers and Toyota Arena.

Photographers must remain within their assigned positions and comply with all instructions from team, arena, and security personnel.

Photography access does not automatically include permission to enter the playing surface, benches, tunnels, locker rooms, or other restricted areas.

All photography obtained through credentialed access must be used in accordance with the approved purpose of the credential and applicable Empire Strykers and MASL media policies.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

VIDEO & BROADCASTING

A standard media credential does not automatically authorize video recording of match action or live broadcasting.

Video access may require separate approval from the Empire Strykers and/or Major Arena Soccer League.

Unless expressly authorized, credential holders may not:

• Livestream match action
• Provide unauthorized live broadcasts
• Record from restricted locations
• Create continuous or substantially complete recordings of match action
• Redistribute match footage for unauthorized commercial purposes
• Use credentialed access to create an unauthorized substitute for an official broadcast

Approved interviews, press conferences, pregame/postgame content, and other non-match footage may be subject to separate guidelines communicated by the Empire Strykers.

Media organizations requiring expanded video or broadcast access should contact the club in advance.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL COVERAGE

Credentialed media are encouraged to cover Empire Strykers matches through legitimate news, editorial, photography, and social media reporting consistent with their approved credential access.

However, credentialed access may not be used to provide an unauthorized live or near-live substitute for the official Empire Strykers or MASL broadcast.

Unauthorized play-by-play video, livestreaming, continuous game-action coverage, or redistribution of protected match content may result in immediate credential revocation.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Credentialed media are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times.

Credential holders may not interfere with:

• Players
• Coaches
• Match officials
• Team personnel
• Broadcast operations
• Arena personnel
• Security
• Other credentialed media
• Match operations
• Fan safety or experience

Failure to follow team, league, arena, or security instructions may result in removal from the facility and/or suspension or revocation of future credential privileges.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

SECURITY & FACILITY POLICIES

All credential holders are subject to applicable security procedures and Toyota Arena policies.

Credential holders and their belongings may be subject to security screening before or during entry.

Prohibited items may not be brought into restricted or credential-controlled areas.

Refusal to comply with applicable security procedures may result in denial or revocation of access.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Attendance at a professional sporting event and access to media, field-level, production, or other restricted areas may involve inherent risks, including risks associated with sporting activity, equipment, crowds, facility operations, and other conditions.

Credential holders enter authorized areas subject to applicable Empire Strykers, Toyota Arena, Major Arena Soccer League, and event policies.

Additional waivers, releases, acknowledgments, or agreements may be required as a condition of receiving certain levels of credentialed access.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

REVOCATION

The Empire Strykers reserve the right to deny, suspend, or revoke media credentials and/or facility access when a credential holder:

• Transfers or shares a credential
• Enters unauthorized areas
• Violates media access policies
• Records or distributes unauthorized content
• Interferes with match or arena operations
• Violates security requirements
• Engages in disruptive or unprofessional conduct
• Misrepresents their media organization or purpose
• Violates applicable Empire Strykers, MASL, or Toyota Arena policies

Serious or repeated violations may affect eligibility for future credentials.

Empire Strykers Media CREDNENTIALS 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

By submitting a credential application and/or accepting an Empire Strykers media credential, the applicant acknowledges that credentialed access is conditioned upon compliance with all applicable:

Empire Strykers Credential Use Conditions
Empire Strykers Media Policies
Major Arena Soccer League Rules and Media Policies
Toyota Arena Rules and Security Policies
Additional event-specific instructions provided by authorized personnel

Applicants may also be required to review and accept additional credential terms, waivers, releases, or access agreements before credentials are issued.