Why Walter Iooss’ Streak of 50 Super Bowls Could End

Why Walter Iooss’ Streak of 50 Super Bowls Could End

Legendary sports photographer Walter Iooss is one of three people to have photographed every Super Bowl along with John Biever and Mickey Palmer. This Sunday, he will photograph his 50th Super Bowl, but the streak might be in jeopardy due to the on-going contractual dispute with Time, Inc.

Last November, Time, Inc presented a new contract for the contributing photographers to all their 90+ magazines (Sports Illustrated ironically has no photographers on staff any more). Various groups of photographers are reportedly in talks with management over a blanket contract that treats war photographers the same as food photographers. Former Sports Illustrated staffer Al Tielemans recently spoke on an editorial photography panel and said, “I don’t think the people who wrote the contract actually understand how a photographer makes his living. I think that’s one of the huge gaps there.”

Iooss is reportedly one of the many Sports Illustrated photographers who have refused to sign the new contract, but because he was previously assigned to photograph Super Bowl 50, he falls under the “legacy contract.” As it stands, no new assignments are being handed out to photographers until they sign the contract.

Undoubtedly some other publication would hire Iooss and allow him to maintain the streak. But after so many years of contributing to Sports Illustrated, the situation feels a bit like Peyton Manning being traded to Denver. Sure, he can star in the Super Bowl, but you can’t help but wish he ended his career in Indianapolis.

 

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This article was written by

Allen Murabayashi is the co-founder of PhotoShelter.

There are 3 comments for this article
  1. Donna at 11:35 am

    I wish I knew a little bit more about the differences between the old contract and new contract. As someone new to the business it would be helpful to understand what they were getting vs. these new terms. Andy why there is a dispute. Is there any further info available?

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