Media Center & credentials

The Media Hospitality Room will be at Bally’s Casino & Hotel in the Allure Lounge on the 2nd Floor. Credentials will be available for pick up in this location, and bowl representatives will be on hand during operating hours. The Pre-Game Press Conference on Friday, December 27 at 10 a.m. will also be held at Bally’s in Boardroom A on the 2nd Floor. A free parking garage for guests and visitors is available across the street from the main entrance of Bally’s.

Media Hospitality: The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will operate a hospitality suite in the Allure Lounge at Bally’s Casino & Hotel. All media covering the Bowl have access to that suite from Thursday, December 26 at 10 a.m. through post-game. Allure Lounge is a strictly 21+ facility, so only people 21 and older will be able to enter Allure Lounge. There will also be an ancillary work area in the internet café across from Allure Lounge for all media members under 21 and any media member who would like another option to work. 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 Saturday, December 28.

Credential Pickup AT BALLY’S: Media representatives may claim credentials at the media headquarters beginning Thursday, December 26 at 10 a.m. 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 (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.

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]).

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 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]).

All requests for media credentials should be made through Sports Systems at sportssystems.com/independencebowl2024. Emailed or faxed requests will not be accepted.

Deadline for requesting credentials:  

Wednesday, December 18 at 11:59 p.m. CST

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

1. Media agencies that cover the participating teams on a regular basis receive top priority
2. Media agencies which cover the participating teams’ conferences on a regular basis
3. National media agencies
4. Sports editors and full-time writers for Louisiana’s daily newspapers
5. Official school daily of participating schools (one seat and/or one sideline only)
6. Media agencies with a minimum circulation of 100,000
7. Media agencies with a minimum circulation of 50,000
8. Television stations with a full-time sports director
9. Student publications or departments representing the participating institutions (yearbook, newspaper, radio, website, etc.). Maximum of one press box pass and one photo pass
10. Only radio stations with a full-time sports director conducting daily sports talk shows will receive consideration for credentials
11. 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. 

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.

Credentials for sideline photographers will be issued on the same basis or priority granted to working press:

(1) Credentials are NON-TRANSFERABLE. The Independence Bowl Foundation (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 sideline access must secure photo vests necessary for admittance to the field at the registration table at the Media Gate at the stadium 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 or 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) Persons with sideline 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 in the sideline area other than those shooting in a working capacity for official media organizations.

(9) All persons possessing photo credentials must have proper professional equipment and be shooting actual game action.

(10) Television stations will be limited to one (1) sideline photo credential.

(11) Credentials will not be issued to assistants or “grips.”

(12) Television stand-up reporters will not be permitted on the sideline during the game. With five minutes remaining in the game, media will be escorted to the field for post-game coverage.

(13) Acceptance of credentials constitutes agreement by the bearer and his/her media organization to abide by the conditions as prescribed above by the IBF.

(14) All credentials remain the property of the IBF and must be surrendered upon request.

Photographers: Sideline access is restricted to working photographers from media outlets according to NCAA rules and will be limited. The Independence Bowl Foundation reserves the right to restrict and/or rescind sideline passes. 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/Vendor Gate.”  

Credentials will be issued only to full-time staff members of media agencies. Because of the number of requests for sideline photographer credentials, no requests from freelance photographers will be honored. Credentials will not be issued for non-broadcasting radio representatives, weekly newspapers, journalism students, cutline writers, equipment carriers and other “assistants” for the sideline. 

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will provide an online platform for distribution of media materials (media guide, program, etc.), press conference content and quotes, 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/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 6:15 p.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. 

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will host a media luncheon on Friday, December 27 at 12:30 p.m. at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub (located at 700 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71111). There will be a sign-up sheet available in the Media Hospitality Suite. 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 Bally’s Casino & Hotel.

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. 

Pre-Game Press Conference: A Pre-Game Press Conference will be hosted on Friday, December 27 at 10 a.m. in Boardroom A on the 2nd Floor in Bally’s Shreveport Casino & Hotel (located at 451 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71101). Bally’s is the Offical Media Headquarters of the 2024 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 Charles Hymes at (318) 401-0771. Anyone entering the stadium during bowl week will need a credential.

Media Hospitality: The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will operate a hospitality suite in the Allure Lounge at Bally’s Casino & Hotel. All media covering the Bowl have access to that suite from Thursday, December 26 at 10 a.m. through post-game. Allure Lounge is a strictly 21+ facility, so only people 21 and older will be able to enter Allure Lounge. There will also be an ancillary work area in the internet café across from Allure Lounge for all media members under 21 and any media member who would like another option to work. 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 Saturday, December 28.

Credential Pickup at Bally’s: Media representatives may claim credentials at the media headquarters beginning Thursday, December 26 at 10 a.m. 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 (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.

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]).

Mobile App: Each credentialed member of the media for the 2024 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.

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 6:15 p.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. 

Media Stadium Access: The Media Gate and Press Box level P2 will open for credentialed media four hours prior to kickoff at 4:15 p.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 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: The play-by-play account, quarter statistics, final statistics and coaches/player quotes will be distributed in the press box and media room. 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. 

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

Post-Game Interviews: 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/interview room approximately 15 minutes after the game’s conclusion.

The head coach and players from the winning team will be escorted to the media/interview room 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 sports information directors from the participating schools will determine if the locker rooms are open or closed.

TV Post-Game Coverage: Television stations covering the game will be allowed to shoot their own video from the media/interview room. 

Post-Game Quotes and 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/interview room. 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 [email protected] prior to halftime of the game.  

Press Box Open/Close: The press box will open four hours prior to kick off at 4:15 p.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 content and quotes, 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. 

(1) ESPN has exclusive television rights to the 2024 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, 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.

ESPN will televise the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in 2024 – the 32nd 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.

There will not be any live telecasts or live-streaming from inside the stadium beginning one hour prior to kickoff, 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 Charles Hymes at (318) 401-0771 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 sideline 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 above policies.

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 4:15 p.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.

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]).