Media Center & credentials

Media Hospitality: The Radiance Technologies Independence bowl will operate a Media Hospitality Suite in the VIP Lounge on the 2nd Floor of Margaritaville Resort Casino. All media covering the Bowl have access to that suite from Saturday, December 27 at noon and through game day. Hours of operation will vary during bowl week and will be staffed during official Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl activities. The suite will be open after the game on Tuesday, December 30.

Credential Pickup at Margaritaville: Credentials will be available for pick-up in the Media Hospitality Suite. Media may claim credentials beginning Saturday, December 27 at noon. Bowl representatives will be on hand during operating hours. Individuals may claim all passes issued to his/her media organization. Lost or misplaced credentials will not be replaced. All media credentials remain the property of the Independence Bowl Foundation and must be surrendered upon request.

Media Will Call on Game Day: Media Will Call at Independence Stadium opens four hours prior to kickoff on game day (9 a.m. CST) and is located between gates 2 and 3 adjacent to the west side elevator at the entrance marked as “Media Gate.” Credentials will be transferred from the hotel to the stadium at 8:30 a.m. on game day and media who have not picked up their credential prior to that will need to pick up their credentials at the Media Gate at the stadium beginning at 9 a.m.

All media parking will be mobile. Credentialed media must have a mobile parking pass on game day, and they will need to scan the mobile parking pass with the parking attendant on game day. Mobile parking passes for credentialed media will be emailed to the email provided on the Ticket Manager credential application. If you were approved for parking and do not receive a mobile parking pass via email by Friday, December 26, please contact Erik Evenson ([email protected]).

Mobile Parking Passes for Credentialed Media: All media parking will be mobile. Credentialed media must have a mobile parking pass on game day, and they will need to scan the mobile parking pass with the parking attendant on game day. Mobile parking passes for credentialed media will be emailed to the email provided on the Ticket Manager credential application. If you were approved for parking and do not receive a mobile parking pass via email by Friday, December 26, please contact Erik Evenson ([email protected]).

All requests for working media credentials should be made through TicketManager at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/credentials. Emailed or faxed requests will not be accepted.

Deadline for requesting credentials: Friday, December 19 at 11:59 p.m. CST

 Please be advised that submitting a request does not necessarily guarantee approval. The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl reserves the right to revoke any credential and it must be surrendered upon request.

Credential requests will be considered only for authorized full-time, salaried representatives. All freelance personnel requests for credentials must come from the agency hiring that individual. Having been credentialed for other bowl games does not automatically qualify an agency or individual for credentials.

Credentialing decisions for media outlets that cover the visiting school will be made following consultation with that school’s athletics communications department.

Media credentials are issued for official business only. No spouses, or children, except those performing in a working capacity, will be allowed in the Independence Stadium press box. This will be strictly enforced. NO ONE UNDER 18 ALLOWED IN THE PRESS BOX.

Credentials are NON-TRANSFERABLE. The Independence Bowl Foundation reserves the right to revoke any credential used by an individual not fully accredited, or any individual not in compliance with press box and/or field photography standards. Entities requesting credentials will be asked to supply specific names and functions. Only the persons whose names were officially supplied will be issued credentials.

Media credentials will be issued in accordance with the following priority guidelines:

NEWSPAPERS: Preference will be given to national, regional and local news outlets that cover the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl regularly as wells as outlet that regularly cover teams involved in the 2025 bowl game. Non-daily newspapers and related publications considered if space permits.

TELEVISION: Major national network affiliate television stations, e.g., ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, etc., as well as major national or regional cable broadcasters with dedicated sports programming/coverage, will be issued a press box credential(s) and/or field passes based on needs with Independence Bowl approvals. All other television stations credential requests may receive one (1) approved press box credential and a maximum of one (1) field pass on a space available basis. All stations must produce regular nightly sports segments with dedicated sports talent.  

RADIO: Radio stations covering the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl locally and regionally, and radio outlets who regularly cover the teams involved in the 2025 bowl game, will be considered for working media credentials with press box seating – one (1) per outlet – on a space available basis.  Field access will not be issued to radio stations unless there are special pre-approved circumstances, or the outlet has photography needs for its official website or social media. Non-daily local or regional radio sports shows and out-of-market radio stations that have a daily sports show may be granted a credential on a space available basis. Radio stations without original sports programing may not be eligible for credentialing.  

WEBSITES / PODCASTS / BLOGGERS: Credentials will be granted to the official website(s) of each participating bowl teams as well as media and/or the official online services with rights agreements or who routinely cover schools involved in the 2025 bowl game or the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl locally/regionally. Also receiving consideration will be websites that are part of a national network and those that are affiliated with a national media entity of another form and/or those organizations whose primary purpose is gathering news and disseminating it and for which other commercial activities are ancillary.  

A majority of content must be original-news stories, not satirical/fan-related posts or re-posts of non-original news from other media outlets. 

Bloggers associated with major media organizations will be considered for credentials. National media organizations and those that cover the participating schools throughout the year are the only organizations that will be considered. 

PHOTO & WIRE SERVICES: Photo wire services who distribute nationally and retain rights for sale and usage of images taken at the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will be issued a Working Press credential(s) with field access. Priority will be given to agencies requiring immediate news coverage as well as the Bowl Game participating teams. 

Photo representatives must remain behind the restraining lines marked on the playing field. Only photographers will have field access. No grips, assistants messengers or guests permitted.

STUDENT MEDIA OUTLETS: Working Press credentials will be granted to student media outlets of team's involved in the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, as well as local or regional universities, on a space availability basis. This may include the official student newspaper, television station(s), radio station(s) and journalism school website(s) 

All requests from those outlets must be submitted by a faculty advisor, and the number of credentials issued to each outlet may vary from game to game based on available space. 

MISCELLANEOUS: All other credential requests, including weekly/monthly newspapers, magazines, specialty publications, etc. will be considered on a case-by-case and space available basis.

Credentials for field-level photographers will be issued on the same basis or priority granted to working press.

Field access is restricted to working photographers from media outlets according to NCAA rules and will be limited. The Independence Bowl Foundation (IBF) reserves the right to restrict and/or rescind field-access passes. 

Photographers must remain behind the restraining lines marked on the playing field. All photographers will be required to wear a photo vest to gain field access. Photo vests can be picked up at Media Will Call – located between gates 2 and 3 adjacent to the west side elevator at the entrance marked as “Media Gate.”  

Credentials will be issued only to full-time staff members of media agencies. Because of the number of requests for sideline photographer credentials, requests from freelance photographers will be honored on a space-available basis. Credentials will not be issued for non-broadcasting radio representatives, weekly newspapers, journalism students, cutline writers, equipment carriers and other “assistants." 

Please note: all photography credentials issued are authorized for editorial use only and photos may not be resold without prior approval from the Independence Bowl Foundation.

The IBF has the right to use all photos taken by freelance photographers who are granted photography credentials to the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.

All photographers must adhere to the following policies: 

1. Credentials are NON-TRANSFERABLE. The IBF reserves the right to revoke any credential used by an individual not fully accredited, or not in a working capacity.
2. Photo credentials and vests must be worn in plain sight at all times. Persons with field access must secure photo vests necessary for field access at the registration table on game day.
3. Anyone wearing a photo credential and not shooting game action will be required to surrender their credential and leave the stadium immediately.
4. Absolutely NO live streaming inside the stadium or of the game will be permitted. Anyone live streaming or posting video during the game online, on social media or on any platform will be required to surrender their credential and leave the facility immediately.
5. Photographers are permitted on either sideline from the 15-yard line to the end-line or on the end-line.
6. Persons with sideline access are not permitted within the TEAM BENCH AREA (inside the 20-yard lines) at any time. NO EXCEPTIONS. Persons in violation of this policy will be required to surrender their credential and leave the stadium.
7. Photographers with field access must remain behind the 12-foot restraining line surrounding the playing field at all times. Photographers are not allowed on the playing field at any time. 
8. No cameras are permitted at field-level other than those shooting in a working capacity for official media organizations.
9. All persons possessing photo credentials and vests must have proper professional equipment and be shooting actual game action.
10. Credentials will not be issued to assistants or “grips.”
11. Television stand-up reporters will not be permitted on the field during the game. With five minutes remaining in the game, media will be escorted to the field for post-game coverage.
12. Acceptance of credentials constitutes agreement by the bearer and his/her media organization to abide by the conditions as prescribed above by the IBF.
13. All credentials remain the property of the IBF and must be surrendered upon request.

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will provide an online platform for distribution of media materials (media guide, program, etc.), press conference quotes/video and game statistics. 

Press conference quotes will be available on the Media Portal as soon as possible following the pre-game and post-game press conferences. Links to the Media Portal will be emailed to credentialed media and participating schools’ sports information departments prior to arrival at Independence Stadium. The link will also be provided at each media member’s workstation in the press box. 

A free pre-game meal will be provided for members of the media in the Media Work Room on the ground level of Independence Stadium in the south endzone area between the two locker rooms. The food will be served beginning two (2) hours prior to kickoff at 11 a.m. CST.

Food from local restaurant Shaver's Catering will be available in the press box throughout the game. Bottled and canned beverages, as well as coffee, will be available for the duration of the event in the press box and media room. Pizza Hut will be available in the press box and media workroom post-game.

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will host a media luncheon on Monday, December 29 at 12:30 p.m. at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub (located at 700 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71111). Availability is limited to the first 50 media members.

Each credentialed media member is entitled to one (1) complimentary gift when they check in at the Media Hospitality Suite at Margaritaville Resort Casino.

The press box is located on the west side of Independence Stadium, on levels P1 and P2. One elevator, located in the middle of the west side, leads to the press level of the stadium. Media Will Call is located at the media entrance on the west side of Independence Stadium, south of the elevator between gates 2 and 3 at the entrance marked as “Media/Vendor Gate.” Only persons possessing media passes are allowed access to the press level. Broadcast booths and coaches booths are located on P1, as well as access to the photo deck. The working media seating area is located on P2.

A Media Work Room is available on the ground floor of Independence Stadium – located in the south end zone adjacent to the team locker rooms. Wireless internet, outlets and tables will be provided in the Media Work Room. Space is very limited.

The Media Work Room will also host the Post-Game Press conference immediately following the game. Round tables used for the Pre-Game Meal will be removed by the end of the third quarter of the game to set up the room for the Post-Game Press Conference. Any equipment left on the tables will be moved to the side of the room to facilitate this changeover.

Pre-Game Press Conference: A Pre-Game Press Conference will be hosted on Monday, December 29 at 10 a.m. in the Paradise Theater in Margaritaville Resort Casino (located at 777 Margaritaville Way, Bossier City, LA 71111). Margaritaville is the Official Media Headquarters of the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.

Mult-Box: A mult-box for electronic media will be available at pre-game and post-game press conferences. 

Stadium Access: Media wishing to enter Independence Stadium prior to game day for television and radio reports and photographs, etc., at times other than scheduled practices, should contact Jenna Rambin at (318) 510-7441. Anyone entering the stadium during bowl week will need a credential.

Media Hospitality: The Radiance Technologies Independence bowl will operate a Media Hospitality Suite in the VIP Lounge on the 2nd Floor of Margaritaville Resort Casino. All media covering the Bowl have access to that suite from Saturday, December 27 at noon and through game day. Hours of operation will vary during bowl week and will be staffed during official Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl activities. The suite will be open after the game on Tuesday, December 30.

Credential Pickup at Margaritaville: Credentials will be available for pick-up in the Media Hospitality Suite. Media may claim credentials beginning Saturday, December 27 at noon. Bowl representatives will be on hand during operating hours. Individuals may claim all passes issued to his/her media organization. Lost or misplaced credentials will not be replaced. All media credentials remain the property of the Independence Bowl Foundation and must be surrendered upon request.

Media Will Call on Game Day: Media Will Call at Independence Stadium opens four hours prior to kickoff on game day (9 a.m. CST) and is located between gates 2 and 3 adjacent to the west side elevator at the entrance marked as “Media Gate.” Credentials will be transferred from the hotel to the stadium at 8:30 a.m. on game day and media who have not picked up their credential prior to that will need to pick up their credentials at the Media Gate at the stadium beginning at 9 a.m.

All media parking will be mobile. Credentialed media must have a mobile parking pass on game day, and they will need to scan the mobile parking pass with the parking attendant on game day. Mobile parking passes for credentialed media will be emailed to the email provided on the Ticket Manager credential application. If you were approved for parking and do not receive a mobile parking pass via email by Friday, December 26, please contact Erik Evenson ([email protected]).

Mobile App: Each credentialed member of the media for the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will have access to the bowl’s official mobile app. Emails will be distributed prior to bowl week to download the app. The app will provide important information on bowl week activities and media availability, contact information, hotel information and game day information.

Wireless Communications: Except for regular cell phones, all wireless communication devices must be cleared in advance of bowl game day though the bowl’s communications director or its frequency coordinator. For frequency coordination needs, contact Mike McCrary, Sr. ([email protected]).

Pre-Game Media Information: Upon arrival at the stadium, media members will receive a flip card, as well as online access to the media guide, game program, game-day notes and team notes, at their seats. 

Pre-Game Meal / In-Game Food & Beverage: A free pre-game meal will be provided for members of the media in the media/interview room on the ground level of Independence Stadium in the south endzone area between the two locker rooms. The food will be served beginning two (2) hours prior to kickoff at 11 a.m. CST.

Food from local restaurant Shaver's Catering will be available in the press box throughout the game. Bottled and canned beverages, as well as coffee, will be available for the duration of the event in the press box and media room. Pizza Hut will be available in the press box and media workroom post-game.

Media Stadium Access: The Media Gate and Press Box level P2 will open for credentialed media four hours prior to kickoff at 9 a.m. CST on game day. The media gate is located at the southwest side of Independence Stadium. The elevator to the press box and photo deck is located on the west side of the stadium between gates 2 and 3 at the entrance marked as “Media/Vendor Gate”.

Press Box: The press box is located on the west side of the stadium, on levels P1 and P2. One elevator, located in the middle of the west side, leads to the press level. Media will call is located at the media entrance on the west side of the stadium, south of the elevator between gates 2 and 3 at the entrance marked “Media/Vendor Gate.” Radio booths and coaches booths are located on P1, as well as access to the photo deck.  The main writers’ room is located on P2, along with the two athletic director booths. Photographers will need to show field security their credential and photo vest in order to receive field access.

Press Elevator: The stadium’s media elevator is located on the west side of the stadium between Gates 2-3 adjacent to the entrance marked “Media/Vendor Gate”.  The working media press box is located on the mezzanine level (P2), with the broadcast and coaches booths located on P1.

Internet Access: Free wireless internet for media is available throughout the Press Box and in the south endzone Media Workroom, and login information will be provided on game day. The Bowl can provide Ethernet cables, if needed. 

Press Box Monitors: Television monitors are located in the press box and Media Workroom to assist media in its coverage of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl through video of the game.  

Players of the Game: The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game Awards will be named through media-only voting. All credentialed media will be allowed to vote and ballots will be cast via StatBroadcast. Credentialed media will be asked to vote for one (1) Offensive and Defensive Player of the Game from each team, with the award going to the offensive and defensive player on the winning teams – unless Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl communications staff deems changes necessary based on an outstanding performance by a player from the losing team. 

The link to StatBroadcast for live stats and Player of the Game voting will be distributed at each work station. Voting will begin at the beginning of the fourth quarter and will conclude with five minutes remaining in the game. The recipients will be announced to the media at the conclusion of the game.

Statistics: Quarter/halftime quickie stats and final statistics and coaches/player quotes will be distributed in the press box and Media Workroom. A link to online statistics via StatBroadcast will be provided at each press box seat. Also, a play-by-play account of down and distance will be provided verbally over the press box public address system.

Post-Game Field Access: Media members are allowed on the field with five minutes or less remaining in the game. The press elevator will initially leave with six minutes remaining in the game. 

Post-Game Press Conference: After a brief cooling-off period, head coaches and select players from each team will be available in the media/interview room – located on the ground floor in the south endzone adjacent to the locker rooms.

The head coach and players from the losing team will be escorted to the Media Workroom approximately 15 minutes after the game’s conclusion.

The head coach and players from the winning team will be escorted to the Media Workroom shortly after the head coach and players from the losing team have finished. Each head coach will make comments and then answer questions from the media. The communications teams from the participating schools will determine if the locker rooms are open or closed.

Round tables used for the Pre-Game Meal in the Media Work Room will be removed by the end of the third quarter of the game to set up the room for the Post-Game Press Conference. Any equipment left on the tables will be moved to the side of the room to facilitate this changeover.

Mult-Box: A mult-box for electronic media will be available at press conferences. 

Post-Game Quotes & Statistical Books: Quote sheets from coaches and players attending the post-game interviews will be available immediately following the post-game press conference in the main press box area and in the Media Workroom. Statistical books consisting of a scoring summary, individual stats, team stats, quarter stats, descriptive play-by-play, drive charts, defensive stats, coaches and players quotes, and game records will be available as quickly as possible in the main press box area and in the media room. Quote sheets and stat books will also be available on the Media Portal as soon as possible.

Post-Game Email: Final stat packets and post-game quotes will be emailed to everyone who requested them through the SportsSystems credential application. If media members would like the statistics emailed to another address, email Erik Evenson ([email protected]) prior to halftime of the game.  

Press Box Open/Close: The press box will open four hours prior to kick off at 9 a.m. CST. The press box will stay open two hours after the conclusion of the post-game press conferences.

Media Portal: The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will provide an online platform for distribution of media materials (media guide, program, etc.), press conference quotes/video and game statistics. 

Press conference quotes will be available on the Media Portal as soon as possible following the pre-game and post-game press conferences. Links to Media Portal will be emailed to credentialed media and participating schools’ sports information departments prior to arrival at Independence Stadium. The link will also be provided at each media member’s workstation in the press box. 

ESPN will televise the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in 2025 – the 33rd consecutive Independence Bowl televised on an ESPN network. The contract between the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl and ESPN extends through the 2025-26 Bowl Season.

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl must abide by the following ESPN Television Policies:

1. ESPN has exclusive television rights to the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.
2. ESPN standup reporters and camera people with proper credentials will be permitted on the sidelines.
3. Beginning one hour before kickoff (Noon CST), there will be absolutely no live telecasts or transmissions from inside Independence Stadium. This blackout period will continue until ESPN has concluded its telecast.
4. Absolutely no live streaming of the game will be permitted. Live shots can be originated any time from outside Independence Stadium.
5. Microwave transmissions are not permitted within the stadium. All satellite trucks must be positioned outside Independence Stadium.
6. Absolutely NO live streaming inside the stadium or of the game will be permitted. Anyone live streaming or posting video during the game online, on social media or on any platform will be required to surrender their credential and leave the facility immediately.

There will not be any live telecasts or live-streaming from inside the stadium beginning one hour prior to kickoff (Noon CST), or as described in the ESPN guidelines. There will be absolutely no live broadcasts during the game. Microwave transmissions are not permitted within the stadium on game day, and all satellite dishes must be positioned outside Independence Stadium in the TV/Satellite parking lot. All highlights of game action must be credited “Courtesy of ESPN.”

Satellite Truck Parking: Parking spaces for satellite trucks adjacent to Independence Stadium are extremely limited. Please contact Jenna Rambin at (318) 510-7441 as soon as possible to reserve a parking location and site-specific needs.

Photo Registration: Photographers with sideline photo credentials must register and secure proper field identification at the beginning of the game at the registration table at the media gate located at the southwest side of Independence Stadium. Each photographer will be issued a photo vest, which MUST BE WORN, along with a sideline pass, in plain sight at all times. 

Sideline Restriction: Photographers with field access are not permitted within the Team Bench Area (inside the 20-yard lines) at any time and must remain behind the restraining line surrounding the field.

Photographer Policies: The Independence Bowl Foundation reserves the right to restrict and/or rescind passes from people who do not follow the policies above.

Parking passes for media covering the 2024 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl are available, but limited. A desire for a parking pass should be stated on your official credential request. Media parking will be in the Gold and Brown lots. 

All media parking will be mobile. Credentialed media must have a mobile parking pass on game day, and they will need to scan the mobile parking pass with the parking attendant on game day. Mobile parking passes for credentialed media will be emailed to the email provided on the Sports Systems credential application. If you were approved for parking and do not receive a mobile parking pass via email by Thursday, December 26, please contact Erik Evenson ([email protected]).

From West of Shreveport:  Take Interstate 20 East. From I-20, take Exit 14 for Jewella Ave and turn left onto Jewella Ave. Turn right onto Greenwood Rd and then Right on Mangum St. Parking is on the left (Gold Lot) or right (Brown Lot).

From East of Shreveport: Take Interstate 20 West. From I-20, take Exit 14 for Jewella Ave and turn right onto Jewella Ave. Turn right onto Greenwood Rd and then right onto Mangum St. Parking is on the left (Gold Lot) or right (Brown Lot).

From Shreveport Regional Airport to stadium: Exit the Airport by getting onto Monkhouse Dr going north. Turn right onto the ramp for I-20 East. From 1-20, take Exit 14 for Jewella Ave and turn left onto Jewella Ave. Turn right onto Greenwood Rd and then right on Mangum St. Parking is on the left (Gold Lot) or right (Brown Lot).

From media hotel to stadium: Turn right out of Bally's parking garage onto Clyde Fan Memorial Pkwy, then turn right onto E Milam St. Turn left onto Market St and keep right onto Market St before taking a slight right to merge onto I-20 West. Take Exit 14 for Jewella Ave and turn left onto Jewella Ave. Turn right onto Greenwood Rd and then right on Mangum St. Parking is on the left (Gold Lot) or right (Brown Lot).

Media Stadium Access: The Media Gate and Press Box level P2 will open for credentialed media four hours prior to kickoff at 9 a.m. CST on game day. The media gate is located at the southwest side of Independence Stadium. The elevator to the press box and photo deck is located on the west side of the stadium between gates 2 and 3 at the entrance marked as “Media/Vendor Gate”.

Media Will Call on Game Day: Media Will Call at Independence Stadium opens four hours prior to kickoff on game day (4:15 p.m.) and is located between gates 2 and 3 adjacent to the west side elevator at the entrance marked as “Media Gate.” Credentials will be transferred from the hotel to the stadium after 3:30 p.m. on game day and media who have not picked up their credential prior to that will need to pick up their credentials at the Media Gate at the stadium beginning at 4:15 p.m.