Policies & Guidelines

Press Releases

• Media members interested in being added or removed from the Charlotte FC media distribution list, please send an email request outlining your interest to communications@charlottefootballclub.com or a member of the communications staff.

Media Availability

• Each week during the season, the Charlotte FC communications staff will distribute a schedule containing player/coach availability for the upcoming week via press release. All dates and times will be subject to change at the discretion of Charlotte FC’s communications staff.

Audio, Video and Photo Requests

• Media are welcome to utilize digital assets captured by Charlotte FC Communications and Content staff. Media are asked to properly credit Charlotte FC and the photographer/videographer that captured said assets. For access to assets, please visit the Photo and Video Assets Page.

All policies and guidelines are subject to change and will be communicated via a member of the Charlotte FC communications staff.

• Media requesting interviews with any Charlotte FC players, coaches or staff must make arrangements with a member of the communications staff.
• When requesting interviews, media must notify Charlotte FC what outlet they are representing, the general focus of the interview, as well as notification of any audio or video to be taken.
• Inquiring media are asked to give the club’s communications department ample time to coordinate the interview. All proposed one-on-one interviews should be submitted within at least 48 hours of the intended interview.
• For media not in-market, virtual interviews over Zoom are encouraged and available to be requested with a member of the Charlotte FC communications staff.
• For more information, please visit the Credential & Interview Requests Page.

Non-Sporting Requests

• Media interested in requesting interviews with members of Charlotte FC’s non-sporting staff should contact Trent Slagle.

Spanish Requests

• Any Spanish-speaking media request can be made to Trent Slagle.

Charlotte FC periodically opens its training sessions to the media throughout the week during the MLS season. Media availability will be determined on a week-to-week basis with details laid out in the team’s official schedule to be distributed weekly.

Player Availability

• Media availability will typically take place 15 minutes prior to training, in addition to the first 15 minutes of training being open for media members. Charlotte FC players are available to speak at different times, however, media members must coordinate with a member of the Club’s communications staff 48 hours in advance to set up a one-on-one interview. The Club will attempt to provide reasonable accommodation for any requests within 48 hours.

Head Coach Dean Smith

• Head Coach Dean Smith holds a weekly press conference on MD-2 at Atrium Health Performance Park. The availability is also accessible via Zoom. Any 1-on-1 requests for the head coach should go through Woody Wilder.

For interviews with the Club’s sporting leadership, please contact Woody Wilder.

Single-Match Credential Requests

• Media interested in applying for single matches can apply at the Charlotte FC Credential & Interview Requests Page throughout the season. The single-match credential window typically opens at the beginning of each month and media will be able to request credentials for matches within said month. An email notification, containing match coverage approval or denial, will be sent back to all requesting media prior to the match requested.

Accreditation Requirements and Limitations

• No persons under the age of 18 are permitted in media areas without prior approval from the Charlotte FC communications team.
• Please note, due to media licensing rights, social media accounts are not considered outlets and will not be approved for full season credentials. This includes but is not limited to: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Tik Tok, etc.
• Applications from social media accounts must come from the organization's supervisor validating professional and editorial need for media credentials. This ensures consistent and professional content.
• Media must use designated media access points at the stadium; credentials are not a license to roam the stadium or gain higher tiers of access.
• Media members cannot use credentials to gain preferential access, including but not limited to, autographs, photographs, clothing items or personal business requests.
• Media credentials do not give access to the field of play, indoor Vault area or team/bench sideline at any time.

General

• Charlotte FC holds weekly media availability sessions with players and staff at Atrium Health Performance Park. Weekly availability will be communicated by the Communications staff via email at the beginning of each week. Media members are required to RSVP with Charlotte FC Communications staff prior to their attendance of weekly media availability sessions. Arrival for media availability sessions begins 15 minutes before the scheduled media availability.

Parking & Arrival

• Media members may park in the general parking lot located at Atrium Health Performance Park. Media members must sign in with 24-hour security, located in the lobby, each time they enter the premises.

Open Training
Charlotte FC periodically opens its training sessions to the media throughout the week during the MLS season. Media availability will be determined on a week-to-week basis with details laid out in the team’s official schedule to be distributed weekly.

• At no point during the team’s session may attendees transmit live/streaming video footage including video for television and/or mobile and web-based programs.
• All transmissions of live video for TV stand-ups outside of the training fields must be pre-arranged and facilitated by a member of the communications team.

Reporting

• Reporting on player participation during training is allowed for players on the pitch.
• Reporting on player involvement in the facility or gym is not allowed.
• Reporting on injuries at training cannot include speculation.
• Reporting of direct quotes overheard at training is not allowed, however, paraphrasing is allowed.

Pursuant the MLS Media Access Policy, media members guilty of the following actions may result in seizure of credential and/or ejection of its wearer from the stadium or training facility:

• Requesting autographs at any time.
• Taking photographs with players/coaches.
• Using credentials for family or friends of working media members.
• Conducting unauthorized interviews.
• Unprofessional behavior (Cheering in the press box, consumption of alcoholic beverages, failure to abide by posted rules, etc.).