IHSA and IPA are acting like children
In their "conflict" over the rights to photograph high school athletic events, The Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Press Association sound like a pair of petulant children fighting over a new toy.
The IHSA has sold the rights to photograph its state championship events to a Wisconsin company and has banned newspaper photographers from the sidelines of these events unless their newspapers sign an agreement not to sell the photos to the public.
The IPA has filed a lawsuit against the IHSA and is urging the Illinois legislature to pass a bill that would prohibit the IHSA from restricting the dissemination of photos taken by news organizations.
In response, the IHSA on its Web site threatens to take its ball and go home by saying it might "end its tradition" of televising the state football and basketball championships.
The IPA and local newspapers pout and stomp their feet by claiming their constitutional rights are being infringed upon and they are asking fans and family members to take pictures at the state championship events and send them to the newspapers for publication.
Isn't it about time for both parties to start acting like adults and come to an amicable agreement?
In the meantime, they should both be sent to their rooms without dessert.
David Jacobson
Mount Prospect