The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) has issued a strong warning to photojournalists about predatory credentialing agreements that strip away photographers' rights to their work. The alert comes in response to a recent controversy involving The Gazelle Group's aggressive credential requirements that demanded photographers surrender their image rights in exchange for event access.
The Gazelle Group, a major sports coverage company specializing in college basketball games and tournaments, initially required photographers to grant the organization "an irrevocable, free license to use any and all photos taken at the Event for any purpose whatsoever (other than resale)." The original agreement, which the NPPA discovered on October 12, stated that credentialed photographers must provide digital access to their photos through private websites, public resale platforms, or direct digital delivery.
The controversial language in the original credential agreement read: "In exchange for my photographer credential being approved, I agree to grant The Gazelle Group, Inc. an irrevocable license, at no cost, to use any and all photos taken at the Event for any purpose whatsoever (other than resale). I shall provide Gazelle with digital access to my photos through a private web site, a public resale web site, or through digital delivery. I also understand that my agreement to these terms does not guarantee the approval of my application."
Professional photography organizations responded with immediate opposition to what they characterized as an unacceptable rights grab. The NPPA, along with the New York Press Photographers Association (NYPPA) and ASMP, strongly condemned the agreement's terms. Major news organizations including Getty Images, the Associated Press, Imagn, and Icon Sports Wire also participated in discussions with the NPPA and The Gazelle Group regarding the problematic language.
Mickey H. Osterreicher, the NPPA's General Counsel, explained to PetaPixel that "this type of pay-to-play arrangement is bad for photographers, and effectively a nonstarter for news organizations." He emphasized that such agreements create significant barriers for legitimate news outlets seeking to cover events.
On October 14, the NPPA submitted a draft proposal to The Gazelle Group with alternative language for their credential agreements. The proposed changes included key protections ensuring that credentialed photographers or their employers retained full rights to their images. Under the NPPA's suggested terms, The Gazelle Group could request but not require a separate non-exclusive license for selected images, limited to specific purposes such as marketing, website use, and social media promotion.
The Gazelle Group responded a week later with revised credential agreement language, but the changes still presented significant problems. The revised terms maintained the company's access to up to three selected images per event through a non-exclusive license in exchange for credential approval. While the group agreed to credit photographers, this modification failed to address the fundamental issues with the arrangement.
After consulting with various photography organizations, Osterreicher informed The Gazelle Group on October 23 that trading credentials for up to three photos remained a major concern. The NPPA submitted another revision proposing that credentialed photographers or their employers could voluntarily send selected images to The Gazelle Group within a reasonable timeframe, which could then be licensed at competitive, fair market rates.
Osterreicher strongly criticized The Gazelle Group's approach, stating that "demands that photographers provide the company with irrevocable licenses in exchange for credentials is strongly objectionable and hostile toward photographers. It is also, arguably, illegal." He argued that photojournalists, like other press members, possess constitutional rights to perform protected work, including photographing newsworthy events.
The NPPA's legal counsel emphasized that non-negotiable terms in credential agreements serve as gatekeeping mechanisms that restrict access to newsworthy events. "This type of arrangement runs afoul of the First Amendment," Osterreicher explained, highlighting the constitutional implications of such restrictive agreements.
This controversy represents part of a broader pattern of problematic credential agreements in the entertainment and sports industries. The NPPA has previously challenged similar overreaching agreements imposed by high-profile performers including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Ariana Grande. The organization has consistently opposed efforts by event organizers to claim extensive rights to photographers' work as a condition of access.
The association stressed the importance of careful review of all credentialing documentation. "Journalists and news outlets must read credentialing forms very carefully. There is sufficient evidence at this point that they can be predatory rights grabs," the NPPA warned. The organization advised photographers to thoroughly consider their options and exercise caution before signing agreements that might compromise their rights to their own work.
Whether The Gazelle Group will make additional changes to its credential agreements remains uncertain. However, the NPPA and allied organizations have made their strong objections clearly known to the company and the broader industry. The photography associations continue to monitor such agreements and advocate for fair treatment of working photographers.
The NPPA concluded with a powerful statement about the broader implications of these restrictive agreements: "Demands for the absolute right to profit off our members' work are even more egregious when coupled with editorial control. Such demands are patently offensive and incompatible with a free press." The organization urged photographers and news organizations to resist coercive agreements, arguing that "protecting your rights protects the public's right to see the truth."
Photographers facing credentialing concerns or encountering similar problematic agreements are encouraged to contact the NPPA directly through their legal counsel at lawyer@nppa.org for guidance and support.
