Seattle Storm Media Credential Policies and Procedures
THE FOLLOWING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Please note: Single-game credentials must be requested no later than 48 hours before the requested game. Credential approvals will be sent out shortly after the deadline for requests closes.
GENERAL STORM CREDENTIAL POLICIES
Credentials are required for all media and photo/video outlets covering games at Climate Pledge Arena AND practices/events at the Storm's new practice facility, the Center for Basketball Performance. (Full-season credentials may be used at both locations. Guest media badges will be available at the practice facility.)
Credentials will only be issued to media members and outlets that regularly cover the Seattle Storm and/or the WNBA. The Storm PR department, in conjunction with WNBA media and credential policies, makes the final determination on granting credentials.
COVERING PRACTICES AT THE SEATTLE STORM CENTER FOR BASKETBALL PERFORMANCE
The Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance is located at 1616 W Bertona Street in the Interbay neighborhood of Seattle.
All media attending practices at the Storm’s training facility are required to check in with a member of the PR Staff upon arrival inside the facility and display Storm credentials or a media access badge at all times.
An RSVP is requested to help facilitate arrival at the facility and allows the Storm PR Staff to quickly communicate any changes in the practice schedule/availability times.
Reserved parking is not available, but street parking is ample on Bertona St., 16th Ave W, and 17th Ave W.
COVERING GAMES AT CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
Credentials are good for admittance to Climate Pledge Arena through the credential entrances only, and grant access to designated media seating or a designated spot in the photo lane.
All media with access to restricted areas will be required to produce photo ID and all bags and equipment are subject to inspection.
Credentials must be visible at all times.
If a media member with season credentials misses multiple games without a reasonable explanation, the Storm may suspend the credential or require the media member submit single game applications.
Single-game credentials must be requested no later than 48 hours before the requested game and by Friday at 4 p.m. for Sunday games.
Single-game credentials will be considered on a space-available basis. If space in the standard media seating area is unavailable, overflow seating may be made available.
After applying for a single-game credential, Storm PR will send a follow-up email shortly after the deadline passes if a credential has been granted. Please do NOT come to the arena on game day unless you have been told you have a credential for that game.
Single-game credentials may be picked up before the game at the press entrance.
PRESS ENTRANCE
The press entrance at Climate Pledge Arena is Entry 2, located by the Southwest corner of the arena, off 1st Ave N. The media entrance opens two and a half hours prior to tipoff.
For single-game credentials, please have photo identification to receive your credential at the media entrance. You may pick up credentials for other working media members from your organization.
Please Note: Media Parking is not available.
PRESS ROW
Press row is located at the base of section 20 on the north side of the arena.
Press row can be accessed by using the SW and NW entryway (VOM). Please do not use any other VOMs to enter or exit the arena floor.
Your cooperation is required to maintain a working atmosphere at press row. Cheering and taking personal photos are not allowed in the working area or while credentialed in any public seating areas. Failure to adhere to these policies may result in forfeiture of credential.
Capturing photography from press row is strictly prohibited.
MEDIA ROOM
The Seattle Storm media workroom is located on the southeast corner on the event level, back of house behind the home team bench area. This is also the location of all home team press conferences.
The media workroom is limited to designated media members with valid Storm or WNBA media credentials. Due to limited space, it is impossible to accommodate family members, friends, guests or others. Storm PR may limit the number of credentialed media members allowed in the workroom.
Pre-game and post-game interviews are conducted in the media work room. All media members are asked to enter and exit the room quietly to be respectful of those using the room.
The professional intent of the media workroom is to provide a workplace for the media and designated photographers. Any abuse of the media room and/or media privileges will cause forfeiture of credentials.
OVERFLOW MEDIA/PHOTO SEATING
Overflow media/photo seating MAY be made available on a game-by-game basis.
Overflow seating is located at the top of section 20 in the bar seating area.
Media members assigned to the overflow seating areas must move out of the lower bowl by the 10-minute mark on the countdown clock and must remain in the assigned area during the game.
Those in overflow seating are free to use the media room and attend all pregame and postgame media sessions on the arena level.
PHOTOGRAPHY/TV CAMERA GUIDELINES
Due to limited space, only photographers on assignment for media outlets that regularly cover the Seattle Storm and/or the WNBA will be granted credentials. Photo lane assignments will be assigned at the sole discretion of the Seattle Storm PR department according to team and WNBA policies. Freelance photographers will not be credentialed.
Photo credentials must be displayed at all times.
Additional overflow photo spots are available at the top of section 20. Photographers assigned space in overflow sections are NOT allowed to shoot in any other location including the arena bowl, seating areas, or on the arena floor, beginning at the 10-minute mark on the countdown clock. Failure to adhere to this policy WILL result in forfeiture of credential.
Due to safety concerns, photographers must use only rubber lens hoods and keep escape lanes clear at all times.
All photographers and camera operators are not allowed on the playing court at any time and must stay seated and stationary at least four feet behind the baseline during the game.
Photographers are not allowed to shoot from court entrance/exit VOMs or the escape lanes on either side of both baskets.
No food or drink is allowed on the playing floor.
SHOOTAROUND
Media is welcome to attend the final 15 minutes of the Storm's shootaround on game days. Please check the weekly media availability schedule for times.
All players and coaches will be available to the media on the court for up to 15 minutes after shootaround. The Storm reserves the right to select two players each gameday who do not have to be available for shootaround media. This is determined day-of.
PREGAME
An hour and 45 minutes before the game – Seattle Storm Head Coach Noelle Quinn will be available for a pre-game press conference in the media interview room.
The visiting team head coach will also be available for a pre-game press conference at a time TBD for each game. Check the weekly media availability schedule for more information.
Players will be available for up to 15 minutes on the court pre-game between 90-60 minutes on the countdown clock. In-person media must coordinate with team PR for any pre-game player interviews.
POSTGAME
The Storm postgame press conference featuring Head Coach Noelle Quinn and two key players will take place in the media interview room beginning no later than 10 minutes following the game. The press conference will also be available via Zoom. (Zoom information can be found in the weekly media availability email sent out to the media list on Sunday of each week.)
The visiting team press conference will take place in a room in the visiting team locker room. In-person media can coordinate with visiting team PR for information on attending presser.
Seattle Storm PR will issue a note to in-person and virtual media no later than three minutes on the game clock indicating the names of the players for both teams to be made available in the interview room(s). These lists are subject to change in the event of late-game developments.
After the conclusion of the presser (per team) with the head coach and two key players, any additional players requested by in-person media ONLY (through team PR) are available for interviews. Contact team PR for more information on the location of these interviews.
MEDIA MEAL
A complimentary media meal for credentialed individuals only, will be available in the southwest corner of the arena in the workroom next to the media elevators.
WIRELESS INTERNET
Wireless internet is available throughout the arena using the public wifi network “ClimatePledgeArena” (no password required).
Media outlets requiring hardwired internet connections must request in writing at least 5 days in advance of the game by emailing salamshaw@stormbasketball.com AND mscheinin@stormbasketball.com.
LOCKER ROOMS
Player locker rooms for both teams are not open to media at any time.
AUTOGRAPHS
Seeking autographs or souvenir items from players or coaches, or asking to take personal photographs with players or coaches is strictly prohibited and subject to forfeiture of credential