Question about the MLB and photography

Luke J. Photography

If I bought a ticket to a MLB game and brought my camera to take photo's and profited from them. Would it be a legal profit?

Erbeman

XPB Photography wrote:

If I bought a ticket to a MLB game and brought my camera to take photo's and profited from them. Would it be a legal profit?

No, that isn't legal. You cannot sell pics of pro's without consent. Also, good luck getting a lens big enough to get shots that anybody would want into a game. They don't allow professional grade photography equipment in. I shoot amatuer and pro motorcycle racing and I can sell the amatuer but I can't even offer to sell pics of the Pro's. There is alot of legal red tape that could really get you in trouble if you got caught.

johng

Just to add my .02. Erbeman is correct - you may NOT profit from the images. All major league sports (MLB, NHL, NBA,NFL) copyright the images of the players. You may not use their images for profit.

Now, as to equipment - it depends on the venue. Some allow some do not. For instance, the Cleveland Indians allow me to use a 100-400L lens without issue. They might not allow a 400mm 2.8 lens but no issues with the 100-400. Which, by the way, is a great lens for MLB. The Cavs, however are a bit more restrictive. I believe Yankee Stadium is also fairly restrictive and would not allow something like the 100-400 in.

Other stadiums, however, do NOT allow it.

Of course, for the Indians this year there really isn't a picture worth taking unless it's of the other team, but that has nothing to do with camera equipment.

Luke J. Photography

Ok thanks!

kiz5

You can bring a 400 or 600 f/4 into the Rogers Centre. The issue is interrupting the fans around you. If they complain, they'll ask you to put it away. All you do though, is move to an empty spot, if available.

Luke J. Photography

kiz5 wrote:

You can bring a 400 or 600 f/4 into the Rogers Centre. The issue is interrupting the fans around you. If they complain, they'll ask you to put it away. All you do though, is move to an empty spot, if available.

Where I shoot the lens must be under 12". I should be able to get a 300mm 2.8 in though just no hood.

Gary Peterson Photography

Listings

johng wrote:

Just to add my .02. Erbeman is correct - you may NOT profit from the images. All major league sports (MLB, NHL, NBA,NFL) copyright the images of the players. You may not use their images for profit.

Now, as to equipment - it depends on the venue. Some allow some do not. For instance, the Cleveland Indians allow me to use a 100-400L lens without issue. They might not allow a 400mm 2.8 lens but no issues with the 100-400. Which, by the way, is a great lens for MLB. The Cavs, however are a bit more restrictive. I believe Yankee Stadium is also fairly restrictive and would not allow something like the 100-400 in.

Other stadiums, however, do NOT allow it.

Of course, for the Indians this year there really isn't a picture worth taking unless it's of the other team, but that has nothing to do with camera equipment.

Do you have Media Credentials issued by the Indians, Cavs, Yankees or MLB?

You mention that the Indians allow you to use a 100-400..is that specific permission to you, or in general? Do you shoot for them full time?

It would be super useful for someone to post a listing of restrictions and whats allowed at each MLB venue for all as a resource.

johng

Gary Peterson Photography wrote:

Do you have Media Credentials issued by the Indians, Cavs, Yankees or MLB?

You mention that the Indians allow you to use a 100-400..is that specific permission to you, or in general? Do you shoot for them full time?

It would be super useful for someone to post a listing of restrictions and whats allowed at each MLB venue for all as a resource.

I was commenting as a fan. With a media credential you're not going to have a restriction.

Really the best advice is - check the website of the team/facility and see if they have a FAQ or other area that covers photography (or do a search on their site) and see what their official policy is. BUT, be warned - sometimes ushers and security have their own ideas about what gear should be let in regardless of the published policy.

Erbeman

johng wrote:

I was commenting as a fan. With a media credential you're not going to have a restriction.

Really the best advice is - check the website of the team/facility and see if they have a FAQ or other area that covers photography (or do a search on their site) and see what their official policy is. BUT, be warned - sometimes ushers and security have their own ideas about what gear should be let in regardless of the published policy.

That is so freakin true. These are generally people who aren't generally too well respected. So, when they are placed in a position with just a hint of power, man they tend to really flex their muscles to feel good about themselves because they are all of a sudden powerful and feel that they are respected because of it. I can't stand these security folks at SX races who are hired from some temp agency then act like they are somebody important.

Gary Peterson Photography

Lol...

Erbeman wrote:

That is so freakin true. These are generally people who aren't generally too well respected. So, when they are placed in a position with just a hint of power, man they tend to really flex their muscles to feel good about themselves because they are all of a sudden powerful and feel that they are respected because of it. I can't stand these security folks at SX races who are hired from some temp agency then act like they are somebody important.

No kidding. I shoot a bit of hockey, and at one of the arenas I shoot at, they changed the security company mid-season, and man, what a lot of fun we all had with that....

Luke J. Photography

johng wrote:

I was commenting as a fan. With a media credential you're not going to have a restriction.

Really the best advice is - check the website of the team/facility and see if they have a FAQ or other area that covers photography (or do a search on their site) and see what their official policy is. BUT, be warned - sometimes ushers and security have their own ideas about what gear should be let in regardless of the published policy.

Don't even get me started on that one.

kiz5

XPB Photography wrote:

Don't even get me started on that one.

Yep.

The Air Canada Centre has restrictions on lenses, and that they have to have smaller focal lengths than 75mm.

When I went with a friend to watch a game, they conveniently changed the rule to the lens being 75mm in length. I pointed out that if they wanted it to be the length of the lens, it'd be mentioned, and also they'd say 7.5 cms, or 3 inches long. Ah well.