helicopters and tfrs

I was at a high school football game a week ago and the local news
helicopter came to watch the game. After landing and filming some
footage, it took off and buzzed the stadium in a pretty high speed bank
of about 30 to 40 degrees, maybe 150 feet up.

So I thought all sporting events were tfrs. and if so, are there ways
to get exemptions, or did this crew break a reg? If so, I don't want
to tell anyone, because this is apparently a popular activity and
happens every weekend.