Perhaps Reserve Prominent Media Names

[Bobblehead]

Someone in Off Topic posted in the Mike Richards thread as Mike Richards. Now perhaps it is Mike(which would be great) but maybe it isn't (it's sort of a damned if you do, damned if you don't).

Perhaps the names of prominent sports personalities/Flames players should be reserved. If someone tries to sign up with that name a message could tell them the name is reserved, and if that is their true name a Mod could be messaged to confirm it.

I'm just thinking about how the first time a media personality posts there is always a lot of "If you are who you say you are..." type of bickering that perhaps this could avoid. And also, unless it really IS Mike Richards should we really allow someone else to pass themselves off as Mike so easily?

[photon]

Any time a media personality registers to post, we make every effort to verify their identity (as we have in this case). It'd be hard to reserve them only because not everyone chooses the same style of names all the time.

[Bobblehead]

Any time a media personality registers to post, we make every effort to verify their identity (as we have in this case). It'd be hard to reserve them only because not everyone chooses the same style of names all the time.

Oh for sure, but the Mike Richards/Joe Sports/Eric Francis (for example) perhaps should be put off limits to everyone and only allow them if they are verifiable for those those personalities, regardless if they decide to go with another nickname (Randy Sportak should be reserved especially since we already know he posts here under RandySportak).

I think most know you try and confirm a poster's credentials when they claim to be someone (I know to look for the media title but others may not). I'm just thinking perhaps this step may prevent misunderstandings.