BOONE, Iowa — The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has released the following statement today:
The Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN) is the current media rights holder for select IHSAA championship events. IHSSN has recently announced it has adopted a new model that would charge the public to watch certain live events.
IHSSN plans to begin charging for live streaming with the 2023 IHSAA State Baseball Tournament in July. The network has previously provided the public with free access to championship events via television and other formats.
IHSAA has objected to the IHSSN’s plans to charge the public and earlier today filed a Petition for Declaratory Relief in Polk County District Court seeking, among other things, a declaration from the court as to the rights of the parties with respect to charging fees to the public under the relevant media rights agreement.
Moving forward, IHSAA will continue to strive for free public access to broadcasts of its championship events.
ABOUT THE IHSAA
The Iowa High School Athletic Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers free membership to all high schools in Iowa that are recognized by the Department of Education. The IHSAA works to coordinate, develop, direct, oversee, and promote boys’ high school and junior high sports and activities across the state of Iowa.