SEC bans Twitter/Facebook/Flickr/Youtube at games

[sureLoss]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1027680.ece

The SEC, one of college sports' biggest, richest, most prominent leagues, earlier this month sent to its 12 schools an eye-opening new media policy. It places increasingly stringent limits on reporters and how much audio, video and "real-time" blogging they can do at games, practices and news conferences.

But even more interesting is that the policy also includes rules for fans in the stands. No updating Twitter feeds. No taking photos with phones and posting them on Facebook or Flickr. No taking videos and putting them on YouTube.

A league spokesman said this policy was meant to try to keep as many eyeballs as possible on ESPN and CBS — which are paying the SEC $3 billion for the broadcast rights to the league's games over the next 15 years — and also on the SEC Digital Network — the league's own entity that's scheduled to debut on SECSports.com later this month.

Wonder if this is a policy that will spread throughout sports.

Also how difficult will it be to enforce? You can't pull a cell phone out during a game?

[Resolute 14]

rofl.

Reporters are one thing - they can have their press passes revoked. But good luck doing the same with fans.

[FanIn80]

Makes me want to go to one of their games in a shirt that says, "I'm posting on Facebook. Come and get me, bitches."

What a ######ed policy to try to implement, and I couldn't even care less about Facebook.

[carom]

Good luck keeping an eye on 100,011 people at Neyland stadium during a football game. This seems like lip service to the 15 year ESPN/CBS contract.

[Caged Great]

isn't this agreement violating the first amendment against free speech?

[Resolute 14]

Nope. The first amendment deals only with government restrictions on free speech. You have no such rights when dealing with a private company. The SEC and its schools (and the Flames any anyone else) could kick you off of their property for violating their terms of service. If they say no cameras, and you bring one anyway, they are within their rights to tell you to leave.

As much as the NHL gets trashed at times though, their internet media policies are simply amazing compared to other leagues. While MLB and the SEC do everything they can to keep highlights of their games off sites like YouTube, the NHL is smart enough to realize that what we fans upload to YouTube is free advertising for the league. And the league has their own agreements with Google Video.

Just another reason why hockey is better than any other sport.

[fredr123]

I could support a league or team banning players from tweeting/texting/facebooking/etc during games and practices. Who wants to hear what OchoCinco or McElhinney has to say during a game? Actually, if McElhinney was live blogging from the bench I bet that would be pretty interesting.

It drives me nuts to see organizations that continue to resist things like social media that are being embraced by the younger generation and those on the leading edge of trends and technology. Ask the record and movie industry how that's been working for them. This internet thing is not a fad; it is not going anywhere. You can fight it all you want and alienate your fans and customers if you want.

Or, you can try something novel. You can embrace it. You can get in touch with what your customers want and engage them in new ways.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Actually, if McElhinney was live blogging from the bench I bet that would be pretty interesting.

Jeezus dont give them any ideas! I'd rather have McElhinny paying attention to whats going. Ya never know, he might just learn something!

[Resolute 14]

McElhinney's Twitter feed during a game...

At least I am always first to the post game buffet
God damn Iggy is good
@ARaycroft:At least you will get to play when Luongo gives up 7 again
Chick in the second row is HOT!
Opened bench door for Phaneuf. Again