In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss how Twitter’s popularity has caused many sports organizations to restrict or prohibit Twitter usage.
Recently, administrators in the Southeastern Conference prohibited the use of social networking tools by fans attending football games. The general premise behind this prohibition is to protect their product as well as their investment, a multi-billion dollar television contract. It is not totally unreasonable, but it does seem a stretch to believe football fans would view Twitter or Facebook updates as a redistribution of a football game. Reading live updates about a game via twitter is hardly a suitable alternative to watching a game on television. The authors also noted the fact that this rule is ultimately a threat since it would be extremely difficult to enforce the ban at a stadium seating roughly 90,000 fans.
In a similar vein, the National Football League has prohibited players and officials from using social networking tools from 90 minutes before kickoff until post-game media interviews are conducted. The NFL has encouraged its players to utilize social networking tools to further interaction with fans, however the league believes using these tools during a game could be a distraction or reveal valuable information that could sacrifice the integrity of the game or alter gambling lines/odds.
Other sports leagues have also implemented restrictions or policies regarding the use of Twitter and Facebook during games. The NBA has delegated social networking restrictions to individual teams, issuing no league-wide policy. Ultimately, it is expected that all sports leagues and associations will have some sort of policy in the near future if they don’t already.
It would not be surprising if this trend popped up in other areas of media, including television/movie studios, record labels, etc. so as to prevent the release of sensitive information. The authors also said they expect to see government bodies and agencies to do the same so that politicians don’t compromise themselves over the Internet. It is certainly an interesting trend and one worth watching as it continues to develop.
November 14, 2009 at 5:19 pm |
I agree they should enforce these social networking rules. For many reasons, social networking can cause problems in all the industries you discussed. I never thought of it being used in these ways, but I will now!
December 3, 2009 at 11:18 pm |
I think that the social networking rules for athletes are pretty stupid. And the one by the Southeastern Conference for fans is absolutely ridiculous. They could never enforce it, and you are exactley right, noone would really want to use reading twitter accounts for a substitute of watching a game.
-Group 1