Who cares? Unless the SEC wants to ban phones from games and create a three-hour bottleneck at the gates (due to searches), this, as has been stated, is unenforceable.
On the other hand, we all should quit moaning about this sort of thing. As was also stated, networks pay big-time $ to have exclusive rights to the game - should we really be surprised and/or upset that they want to protect their investments?
The whole "social media is supposed to be free and they just don't get it" argument is lame. They get it, but frankly, don't care about your opinion about or "rights" to free information sharing. They're running a business and in the SEC's case, a highly profitable one. (Note: I'm a fan of the Big East's flagship univerity, WVU, so I don't really have a dog in this fight.)
Steve
· 3 months ago
Smartest post yet. Two sides to this argument, and it's no surprise they are covering their arses with the huge CBS contract.
prowse
· 3 months ago
"networks pay big-time $ to have exclusive rights to the game", well they have rights to all ADVERTISING, not exclusive rights to people essentially just talking about the event.
The courts have proven time and time again that just because you have a lot of money riding on something, doesn't mean you can trample on the rights of citizens. So, really, somewhat the dumbest post, yet. Both congress and the courts have also proved that because you are a business, also doesn't give the business the right to autonomy in all of it's deals. We arent talking about patents here, we are talking about copyrights.
Brian
· 3 months ago
Flagship as in "most knowledgeable in burning couches"? Then yes, you are correct.
jshel
· 3 months ago
Phones have been banned at PGA and LPGA Tour events from the beginning, largely because of sound.
Cameras are allowed for practice rounds (and players are usually cool with having their pictures taken), but not allowed once the event starts.
It's about noise rather than social media.
prowse
· 3 months ago
Ya, I could see that from the mechanical noises (and beeps mentioned earlier) up to the last 2 years or so, but even those rules are becoming swiftly daft.
Jerry
· 3 months ago
Just another example of how people some don't understand technology and media and make an uneducated decision about how to handle it.
Heffer
· 3 months ago
No need to overreact. Its just a move to give them legal recourse should someone start abusing social media to profit or slander the SEC's event.
Obviously, they are not going to chase after every college student that tweets.
Its no different than--as mentioned above--commentators stating "Any rebroadcast, reproduction or other use of this game without the express written consent of Major League Baseball is prohibited,” You can still Tivo, tape, burn copies of the game. But if you try to start selling it on ebay they may take issue to that.
SKMH
· 3 months ago
Even so...why make rules that you can't enforce...it is a waste of everyone's time
asdf
· 3 months ago
There is a stack of laws, statutes and rules ...federal, state and local that can reach orbit. In this country everyone is guilty of several somethings. The inevitable result is they make criminals out of everyone. When it comes to silencing whistle blowers, troublemakers, complainers, those who would challenge the expansion of government ...having a ready list of endless potential violations for those who have power, it makes their job easy.
Daffle
· 3 months ago
Nice exaggeration asdf. Heffer has it exactly right, this is really just a move by the SEC to deal with content leaking out that they decide they don't like. Chances are good this move was even "strongly encouraged" or forced on them by CBS. It certainly doesn't mean they'll go after everyone who tweets or posts to FB.
And SKMH, this isn't aimed at real prevention - as Heffer implies, it's aimed at prevention through via the threat of money damages being imposed on the rule-breakers after the fact.
On the other hand, I'll give you that there are plenty of rules, regulations and even laws that make criminals or infringers of some, or even many. But it's still not impossible, or even all that difficult, to live in today's world without breaking any of them.
prowse
· 3 months ago
We all hope or pray that you dint just SMS that from your moving Cessna.
sluggahjells
· 3 months ago
The "What the hell move of the day"
But that is the SEC for you, and all arrogant nutcase college presidents who continue to ruin college football and college sports in general.
Justin
· 3 months ago
Exactly. Oh well I usually go to ACC games anyway.
Clara
· 3 months ago
All Cupcake Conference 'football'? I'll pass.
The SEC is the big dog of the CFB conferences and recently signed a very lucrative media deal with ESPN and CBS that probably factors into this policy decision. Of course it will mean jack squat in practical terms kinda like asking MSU to ban Cowbells or having gators pump into crappy music through their PA system.
bmcd67
· 3 months ago
Clara, ACC is hardly All Cupcake. Yes we're no SEC but we're not that far behind with VaTech, FSU, Miami, Clemson, GaTech and BC all strong. Remember there are teams in the SEC that have been poor for years: Vandy, Ole Miss, Miss St, Kentucky to name a few.
Bottom line is how will this be enforced?
jason
· 3 months ago
What does that say about FSU & Clemson when Kentucky beat them both in the Music City Bowl in 2007 & 2008?
BC
· 3 months ago
Dude, Ole miss never belongs in the same category in football as Vandy/ kentucky/ state!! check the facts on the records.....Geesh!! Poor in the 70's and early 80's but where have you been?? Out of conference wins over Nebraska/ oklahoma/ texas tech (3) .....2 recent cotton bowl wins/ sec west championship/
Michael
· 3 months ago
Everyone please stop complaining, this is about one thing and only thing "money". If everyone is so angered and passionate then take this issue to the SEC, the respective school presidents and other school representatives.
Complaining about it here will do you no good.....
prowse
· 3 months ago
Everyone please keep complaining, as this is about evreything but money. If everyone is so angered and redundant, "then take the issue to the SEC, its respective school presidents and other school representatives" (like your local Community Colleege Sports Director ?), but also include all those on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, FriendFeed, and anyone else that uses social media (like MASHABLE COMMENTS).
COMPLAINING ABOUT IT HERE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE WILL DO ONLY GOOD.
Micheal, unless you prefer to enter your comments ONLY through a keyboard ("how quaint") attached to a "computer" sitting on a "desk" or at a standard "laptop" plugged into the wall via a "cable", then by your implied standards you would have no other way to let us know your opinions; no iPhone, no BlackBerry, no Google Phone, no nothing other than your current Luddite ways. And all because you say it's all about the cash.
Do you still buy "batteries" for your "pager"?
Lydia
· 3 months ago
This is ridiculous! These people obviously don't understand social media and the sharing and promoting of ideas FOR FREE. Social media is GOOD press for them, and trying to stop it is like trying to stop a tidal wave - not gonna happen.
Derek Ross
· 3 months ago
What's the difference here. I'm not seeing it. For years people have been taking pictures at sporting events and posting them online. Just because there are web sites available now adays to make it easier to share those pictures doesn't mean it hasn't been done for 15 years.
Sorry grandma, you can't take a picture of your grandson playing football and then add it the online Kodak website where you normally put your pictures to print. Your bad.
Jessica
· 3 months ago
It's more of an instantaneous thing... i.e. attendees tweeting score updates instantly to their friends, rather than friends going to CBS for updates.
Bobbert
· 3 months ago
Yes, because watching a number change is just as interesting as watching the game. </sarcasm>
prowse
· 3 months ago
Dude, you had me at <sarcasm>
tdhurst
· 3 months ago
Yeah, good luck with that.
FatWhiteMan
· 3 months ago
Yeah. My thought as well.
Meredith Treinen
· 3 months ago
Exactly. Good. Luck.
scaffold
· 3 months ago
It's certainly not going to happen with enforcement using visual cues, but it could happen through more mundane means. Currently , the US Supreme court has refused to hear cases inlolving the blocking of RF in public events (brought about several years ago by Broadway Theatre goers, in fact), now with the "powerful" SEC, perhaps their lobbyists will push for legislation allowing RF blocking - it is current off-the-shelf technology and is not hackable (neither by user nor recipient).
And the US Open banned all CellPhones and WhatNots? Perhaps President O'Bama (I think he's a wee bit Irish) should again take up golf, indeed? If the President's own SS can acquiesce to let him continue to tweet from his BlackBerry, then who are we to say no to him Tweeting on the green?
Israel
· 3 months ago
With this move, I think NOW people will socially try to block CBS and or the SEC. Hey, move on, this ain't goign to stop, just check on the music industry. Do you really think today you control the RIGHT to KNOW? If you have content, don't be afraid, just let people share you have something good and they will go to you.
Bradjward
· 3 months ago
Keep an eye on Abilene Christian University, they have some pretty awesome social web integration planned for their first home game next Thursday. When every 1st and 2nd year student has an iPhone or Touch, how can you NOT embrace it??
Israel
· 3 months ago
Great point! Probable these folks will try to bann this too!!! JAJAJA
NickJ
· 3 months ago
You didnt get the comment at all... Bradjward is talking about ACU, which is not part of the SEC. Its part of the Lone Star Conference. ACU embraces social technology in the classroom with giving students iPhones and iPod Touch's. Also the LSC is a a conference of smaller known schools, and the LSC already does text message updating of scores, so they are more likely to embrace it.
@iowahawkeyes
· 3 months ago
How can they be so retarded? The Big Ten embraces social media. They have videos on Hulu, allow bloggers to embed videos, have facebook pages, lots of twitter accounts, promote coaches and schools twitter accounts. Yet the SEC wants to go this route.
It is the RIAA all over again.
Paul DeBettignies/MNHeadhunter
· 3 months ago
Geez, the world has ended. This Minnesota Golden Gopher fan agrees with a Hawkeye?!?!?! Our school(s) have embraced YouTube, Twitter, blogs etc
roscoemuffin
· 3 months ago
Only because in Minnesota and Iowa, they feel it's better to embrace social media than the locals. - a Pac-10 point of view. ;-)
Steve Cornelius
· 3 months ago
This is really a dumb move. I can't tell you how many times I've clicked on YouTube to watch video of an exciting play taken from the stands of a college football game. It is infinitely more exciting to watch fan-produced video (even in its crudest form) than watch over-produced TV coverage.
Matt
· 3 months ago
Yes, but then YouTube actively pursues copyright infringement claims and promptly removes the video that was already banned from being taken at those events (concerts, UFC matches, baseball games, etc.) I see no difference between that and what MLB already does.
Steve Cornelius
· 3 months ago
It may eventually come down to YouTube removing video clips, but you can do a search on YouTube right now for the college of your choice and see clips from past games taken by fans in the stands plus clips taken from TV. I personally see no harm in posting personal video as long as I am not profiting from its distribution ... but that's just my opinion.
prowse
· 3 months ago
And, you never know, someone will usually have that one classic angle that the pros missed, and bang it's on TV ot YT. (1 second of producer cred)
prowse
· 3 months ago
Certainly true, what with all the added lower thirds, bugs, fly-ins, graphs. And, still, today, it's even cheap enough for the amateur to add that crap in AFTER the fact - where you would expect it. As in, "Ya, I get it, Entourage will be on in an hour, got it, move on! Step away from the fancy graphic". Doesn't analysis have to grow from at least some retrospect?
seanpaune
· 3 months ago
Ticketmaster does the same on concert tickets. If you read the fine print on your ticket, it says:
“Holder agrees by use of this ticket, not to transmit or aid in transmitting any description, account, picture, or reproduction of the game, performance, exhibition or event for which this ticket is issued.”
Paolo Sanchez
· 3 months ago
When contributing alumni have a say on the contrary, SEC won't have a say. Conferences have tried to pull some upper hand on the universities before and when alumni don't like it, it becomes moo. Alumni and their dollars will always have their way.
prowse
· 3 months ago
Yes, when alumni "Moo". Moo on, sirs, moo along.
mcangeli
· 3 months ago
Ah, but at the US Open, that could be due more to the sounds generated by either phones or cameras as opposed to trying to contain the "media" taken....
Adam Ostrow
· 3 months ago
That's what I thought as well, but it's not like official "media" doesn't distract the hell out of the players too. Tiger has had his share of telling cameramen to stfu ... on the other hand, I'm sure plenty of fans would forget to put their cell on silent, so, I'm not all that opposed to it ...
prowse
· 3 months ago
Agreed Ostro, too, and it's not like signs can't be posted to "PLEASE SILENCE OR VIB YOUR DEVICES". Instead of just not allowing them in? Most pro digital cams now beep confirmation tones after every shot taken, and I don't see a lot of those idiots (except for Bob Booker) turning off that damned nonsense!
David Spinks
· 3 months ago
They have a lot to learn, and they'll have to do so very quickly...before they lose an opportunity to create a much more engaged, and loyal fanbase. What their doing is completely counterproductive. Instead of taking advantage of (virtually limitless) opportunities, they're hurting their fan base and reducing engagement.
prowse
· 3 months ago
You just crossed the line pal! If you are not engaged while AT a live event, then you are brain dead or bored enough to tweet about it!
rrchapman
· 3 months ago
Is the SEC going to ban reporters from any media outlets other than CBS news? If they do, then they might have a leg to stand on in court if they try to enforce this rule. The SEC lawyers could try (and may very well succeed) in saying this is a private event, since tickets with a limiting license is attached. See reference to the US Open, above.
Otherwise, if media reporters are permitted into stadiums, this rule will run afoul freedom of press.
We need this to go to court, if only to see where the lines are drawn.
Derek Karchner
· 3 months ago
This is a good point. Court action would help clarify the issues. Not sure we really want this though or that it will ever be enforced to an extent that warrants this. But if the event in question is at a public university (i.e. if the policy is enforced by Auburn) you can't make the argument that it's a private event. It's a public event, hosted by a state actor (public university) and so whatever First Amendment exceptions for private actions wouldn't apply here. But there would be two separate analyses for whether the plaintiff is a public individual or a member of the press (though they're closely related).
prowse
· 3 months ago
Press is not banned, that is in the deal.
rrchapman
· 3 months ago
Is the SEC going to ban reporters from any media outlets other than CBS news? If they do, then they might have a leg to stand on in court if they try to enforce this rule. The SEC lawyers could try (and may very well succeed) in saying this is a private event, since tickets with a limiting license is attached. See reference to the US Open, above.
Otherwise, if media reporters are permitted into stadiums, this rule will run afoul freedom of press.
We need this to go to court, if only to see where the lines are drawn.
Brandon Wall
· 3 months ago
What a bonehead move. In an era where EVERYONE is moving to better integrate the community, the SEC gives them a big ol' slap in the face.
O RLY?
· 3 months ago
Where the hell are we living, communist China?
Cyrano Jones
· 3 months ago
Actually, no. Communist China isn't this capitalist-minded yet. This is just the invisible hand of the free market.
Tia Martinson
· 3 months ago
It sure isn't very forward thinking to ban social media. We (the human we) repeat our behaviors so much it's maddening. We fear new. We fear loosing something. We reject progress so that we can squeeze out a little more in advertising dollars that are spent on ads nobody is watching. I challenge CBS and the SEC to step it up and do some forward thinking and utilize the tools we are all using. If they could give up the notion of control, maybe there would be a chance. Thanks for the post, Adam!
Joe Horvath
· 3 months ago
How weird - the SEC has a proven revenue stream and doesn't want its investors to perceive their product to be watered down. I'm sure the SEC will accept your challenge when you issue a concrete proposal as to how social media will benefit the conference financially, particularly when CBS says "Hey, we want to continue broadcasting your games, but we're not going to pay quite as much as we did the last time because we perceive the exclusivity value to be diminished."
I can see it now - dark sunglasses, trench-coat-wearing security police trolling the stadium with cellphone detectors, seeking out the electron stream from the stands out to Twitter Central, throwing unsuspecting fans to the ground and seizing their iPhones.
SEC, find something better to do with your time.
roscoemuffin
· 3 months ago
If they did, it would be followed by a flurry of YouTube videos and a Twitter top topics entry with the hash tag #SECBrawl
jgoldsborough
· 3 months ago
Dear SEC: Your "we don't get it" T-shirts will be coming soon in the mail.
Ever think that a tweet, twitpic, status update or YouTube video might actually make someone change the channel and tune into your broadcast that makes money for your institutions and your conference?
Isn't connecting with fans and athletes via social media the next evolution of sports? Is this just another case of lawyers referring to laws that haven't caught up with technology or do you think they'll actually try to enforce this? And if so, how in the world will the SEC do that? Another Napster?
lewishowes
· 3 months ago
These decision by the SEC is a huge FAIL!!!! It really upsets me that they think they can control the media and won't let athletes post pictures of facebook even, or put up a fun video on youtube. As a former collegiate athlete this really pisses me off and I hope every athlete continues to use social media in a way they feel represents their image and their schools image the best, and forget what the SEC has to say about it!
Blake
· 3 months ago
PGA, and most golf organizations, bans phones and cameras as noise control, have for years. The removal of social media opportunities is probably just a nice side effect for them...
Mike
· 3 months ago
*complement*
david tra
· 3 months ago
On the one hand, I can see how the SEC and CBS would want to monopolize coverage of games, but what are they really afraid of, broadcasting a game from your phone? I could understand if they wanted to have their own official live-tweet-update-feed, but in that case what's to stop someone from live-tweeting from home (albeit after a 7-second delay)?
sandsss
· 3 months ago
Wow. Some companies don't get social media at all. How sad. Huge #fail for SEC.
Josh Tucker
· 3 months ago
lame
SuperGarth
· 3 months ago
Why mention TwitPic ? It's the worst twitter photo sharing app out there
Wess Stewart
· 3 months ago
The next move is going to be to issue gag orders against people that do not work for CBS who want to talk about the game with their friends.
As far as I can tell, news stories are the property of the person who writes them. Pictures are the property of the person who takes them. I believe it's strictly to prevent competition. Pfft. Not like cell phone Joe is gonna compete with CBS in the media world with his 150 Twitter followers.
Geez. The world we live in is so freaking stupid.
michael
· 3 months ago
great post very informative
Lakers Nation
· 3 months ago
They just don't know . .social media is replacing the AM radio . . . that's what I've been doing for the past season with the Lakers . . . doing play by play on twitter so people just have to check their phone to know what's going on!
@theblackhill
· 3 months ago
This is unfortunate, and largely unenforceable. It is the Athletic equivalent of the corporations/brands not allowing their employees to utilize social media, and it sends the message that the problems are not in the usage, but in the management!
Social media will happen in the workplace/stadium, etc. regardless of approval or not. Management (the SEC) can either understand this, and learn how to utilize it for their benefit- creating more fans/viewership/ticket sales, or the users will become alienated and find other ways to spend their time & money.
SEC, use your powers for good, not evil!
ecjake
· 3 months ago
I was shocked to not be able to bring in cameras of phones to the PGA event this weekend, no tweets allowed feels wrong.
Justin Kownacki
· 3 months ago
This has nothing to do with "not getting" social media, or the threat of shaky phone-cam footage. This has to do with the SEC / CBS controlling and protecting their own media assets.
Sure, you might turn on the game because you read a tweet about it, and that's great. But what if someone in the stands films a better angle on a major play than the official cameramen do -- and THAT'S the angle the news outlets choose to use (and pay for)? Or if a fan's recording angle proves that an official's call was incorrect? Or if fans start tweeting the opposing team's signals / formations? Etc., etc., etc.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for social media at the stadium. But don't expect the powers-that-be to so eagerly adapt to new realities they themselves can't control.
gdstoelk
· 3 months ago
Highly doubt you can come up with a reoccuring social media scenario that infringes upon CBS's wallet or assets in a substantial way. Sure you can come up little tidbits that may happen possibly with any luck once a season across the thousands of games that are played. The average John and Jane are still going to tune into the CBS broadcast and CBS is going to in turn serve up beer, car ,insurance and cell phone commercials. for which they are handsomely paid.
gdstoelk
· 3 months ago
Listen, the establishment tried to stop Rock-n-Roll at one time. They failed. Social media is like Rock& Roll --- It can't be stopped.
davidlocke
· 3 months ago
No need to worry about me tweeting about a football game. My tweet stream is more interesting than a football game.
Didn't the software industry figure out that copy protection didn't work? So why did the music industry not learn from our experience? So why hasn't the football industry learn from the music business.
Sidebands are valuable to the core of a brand. Some sidebands can be monetized. Third-party products and services sell the primary product and services. Football is just proving that it's a bad business.
redraider626
· 3 months ago
They should be embracing the Social Media Revolution! Helloooo! You can't stop 30 thousand fans from using social media platforms during the game. Are they going to confiscate cell phones? Make them sign statements promising NOT to tweet? Ha! Ha! The OLD GEEZERS running the conferences just don't get it!
redraider626
· 3 months ago
They should be embracing the Social Media Revolution! Helloooo! You can't stop 30 thousand fans from using social media platforms during the game. Are they going to confiscate cell phones? Make them sign statements promising NOT to tweet? Ha! Ha! The OLD GEEZERS running the conferences just don't get it!
Russ Altman
· 3 months ago
They should be embracing the Social Media Revolution! Helloooo! You can't stop 30 thousand fans from using social media platforms during the game. Are they going to confiscate cell phones? Make them sign statements promising NOT to tweet? Ha! Ha! The OLD GEEZERS running the conferences just don't get it!
jim
· 3 months ago
I think they have to put it in the agreement if they ever want to stop someone from doing something they don't like in the future, like broadcast a stream of the game from their iphone. It's one of those "we don't know what we don't like, so we throw this line in there," I doubt they will ever enforce it to prevent someone from tweeting that the Gators just scored a TD.
maryhruth
· 3 months ago
Excellent observation. I bet this 'issue' could become the tipping point for understanding SM. The traditionalists' fear of media competition from Twitter and Facebook is not only unfounded, it's ridiculously counter-productive.
Elfiss
· 3 months ago
This has to be a double bluff, they've noted the sucess of social network recommendations and want to harness the effort put into rebellion. Clever. (Well we live in hope)
Elfiss
· 3 months ago
Gah! just correcting the typo... This has to be a double bluff, they've noted the success of social network recommendations and want to harness the effort put into rebellion. Clever. (Well we live in hope)
Scarlett
· 3 months ago
ROFLOL !!!! How in the world are they going to enfoce this-people still bringing booze into the stadium.
Jared
· 3 months ago
Congrats to Penn State Football for adapting to social media - the new website GOPSF.com has a huge social media component (coaches on Twitter, 4 official Facebook pages, Flickr & YouTube favorites, etc.). With this inclusion I am guessing we can expect updates/behind the scenes photos DURING Penn State games. I guess that's why they call it "The Greatest Show in College Football"
Production Video Services
· 3 months ago
Lame attempt at controlling ad dollars. This will fail in the end.
Carol Alfonso
· 3 months ago
That strange, cause You Tube has business with CBS, which includes the CBS Sports and CBSCollege. However, CBS and SEC can still request You Tube and Facebook to remove any video that shows a college football event. By no mean, CBS or SEC can impose a ban on a user that is tweeting from the event. Or is that SEC will now ask the venues to ban the cell phones, I-Phones and any item that can be used for text messaging inside the stadiums?
Jason Anderson
· 3 months ago
Lame attempt at controlling ad dollars. This will fail in the end.
JM
· 3 months ago
I want to see the SEC/CBS lawyers attempt to uphold this regulation. I also want to see an auditor track every penny spent on upholding this regulation, and I want an analyst to determine the monetary loss from their social contributions.
This is the same scenario the RIAA/MPAA has spent the last decade combating, and I think we're all in agreement that witchhunt is a joke.
JM
· 3 months ago
I want to see the SEC/CBS lawyers attempt to uphold this regulation. I also want to see an auditor track every penny spent on upholding this regulation, and I want an analyst to determine the monetary loss from their social contributions.
This is the same scenario the RIAA/MPAA has spent the last decade combating, and I think we're all in agreement that witchhunt is a joke.
Carol Alfonso
· 3 months ago
One more thing, since ABC also has some of the SEC conference games, especially the New Year's Day Capital One Bowl in Orlando FL, is the tweet and cell phone rule going to apply to? I understand that cameras are not to be allowed, but the vast majority of cell phones are camera ready, so I could figure that in mind!
Jeffry Pilcher
· 3 months ago
A broadcast can be protected; it's content that the broadcaster produced.
Coverage of a public event, however, sounds like an issue of free speech. If a citizen of the U.S. attends a public event, they are free to relay whatever they saw in any medium or manner they choose. They can't draw on other people's accounts (specifically including the broadcaster's) without prior permission, but they should be able to share their own account. That's my understanding of Constitutional law anyway... and if it doesn't work that way, that's how it SHOULD work.
Dan
· 3 months ago
That is the SEC, not a real football conference, Unless the Pac 10 or Big 10 moves this way, I am not going to worry.
How many times have you seen someone at a baseball game with a transistor radio listening to the game that they are at!?
Just another sign that Technology is farther advance than people in charge!
AI
· 3 months ago
They are afraid that someone might become more popular than the CBS broadcast. Like iCarly going to SEC events and games with a million people following her. iSEC?
Jeffry Pilcher
· 3 months ago
A broadcast can be protected; it's content that the broadcaster produced.
Coverage of a public event, however, sounds like an issue of free speech. If a citizen of the U.S. attends a public event, they are free to relay whatever they saw in any medium or manner they choose. They can't draw on other people's accounts (specifically including the broadcaster's) without prior permission, but they should be able to share their own account. That's my understanding of Constitutional law anyway... and if it doesn't work that way, that's how it SHOULD work.
EvilMonkey
· 3 months ago
Yeah right. I encourage everyone to start randomly tweeting about SEC games ALL THE TIME, especially for games one is not even attending. See what good their contracts, rules, and writs are against fiction. What a bunch of schmucks.
webdoyenne
· 3 months ago
From yesterday's St. Petersburg Times:
For SEC, tech-savvy fans might be biggest threats to media exclusivity
So what are they going to do, even if they could somehow catch you breaking the rules? It's not legally enforceable. The worst they could do is ask you to leave. What a joke. I'd purposely break the rule if I lived close enough to attend an SEC event.
Tristan
· 3 months ago
But, gaiz!! How will they make moneys if we bring the news to peoples?!?!!?!114!?
10 years from now will be great once the media is gone along with record companies.
josephgelb
· 3 months ago
Money is everything to these companies, to save a buck they will loose even more lol.
Tristan
· 3 months ago
But, gaiz!! How will they make moneys if we bring the news to peoples?!?!!?!114!?
10 years from now will be great once the media is gone along with record companies.
Really, though, I used to live in Indiana & I'm a huge Colts fan. (Pre super bowl win & Peyton Manning) Now I live in Oregon & can't watch games. Last week when they played the Vikings, a few of my friends went to the game. They sent me pictures & kept me updated via twiter.
mrpatg
· 3 months ago
Hilarious. Why does the SEC think that this will fly? Social media is the Borg, resistance is futile.
Daniel75
· 3 months ago
When contributing alumni have a say on the contrary, SEC won't have a say. Conferences have tried to pull some upper hand on the universities before and when alumni don't like it, it becomes moo. Alumni and their dollars will always have their way.
Nick
· 3 months ago
Well... let's "Fix their wagon"... boycott all SEC games... then we'll see how long the contracts stay in place when there are no fans in the stands. I'd say that there will soon be a lawsuit regarding the freedom of speech. I don't care who the news group is... they cannot contract away the rights of the people. I'd say... "rub their faces in it" ... everyone boycott the stadium... season ticket holders or not... just to let them know how stupid their idea is.
gdstoelk
· 3 months ago
Fans in the stands are not the big revenue generator. The money is in the television contract and licensing. Stop watching. Put pressure on the advertisers. Don't buy SEC licensed apparel.
Blake Robinson
· 3 months ago
Laughable.
Michelle Dainus
· 3 months ago
Easy solution to this, do not go to the games. Even if everyone got together and boycotted one game that would get the message out.
zomb1e
· 3 months ago
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA yea... ok.. good luck with that SEC
gdstoelk
· 3 months ago
This makes more sense: ( from the St Pete Times article):
"In truth, though, the conference isn't so worried about [a] Facebook photo, or [a] phone call. They're not so worried about text messages and tweets. What they're worried about is what [a cell/smart] phone, will be able to do in two years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now. "
jeanetteokwu
· 3 months ago
i don't know why we are all getting upset? they are just acting like parents - they ground you because they don't know how to handle you (the social networker). all just because they don't know any better.
WalterSchwabe
· 3 months ago
"Control, control, control, must control the message!" This is what happens when ignorance rather than education plans a web strategy. Ironic given we're talking about colleges in this case....or is it?
It seems like sports are feeling a little cornered, when in fact they should feel anything BUT that. If you don't embrace the fans, they might find something else to do...
KateNonymous
· 3 months ago
Yeah, good luck to them with that. Are they going to confiscate cameras at the gates?
david
· 3 months ago
Shouldnt that be 'Stadia', not Stadiums.
Elson
· 3 months ago
That's so lame. GO PAC 10! USC TROJANS NATIONAL CHAMPS!
jsandford
· 3 months ago
Update: RT @ikepigott BREAKING: SEC to Clarify the Social Media Guidelines http://bit.ly/9ZYUe
Trace Cohen
· 3 months ago
This is going to be like the RIAA suing college students because of illegally downloading music. They will sue a few students to try and scare the rest; no way to enforce it effectively.
Sean Wilson
· 3 months ago
I feel sorry for the people that make a living on gameday coverage. WBIR had a story about a former Vol who made a living by report from the stadium during gameday who will be impacted by this rule... Typical SEC tactics!
Sean Wilson
· 3 months ago
I feel sorry for the people that make a living on gameday coverage. WBIR had a story about a former Vol who made a living by report from the stadium during gameday who will be impacted by this rule... Typical SEC tactics!
Ike Pigott
· 3 months ago
I spoke to an SEC official who confirmed that Twitter is NOT banned -- they are working on a clarification of the policy that will more properly define what it is they want to protect: online video.
I feel sorry for the people that make a living on gameday coverage. WBIR had a story about a former Vol who made a living by report from the stadium during gameday who will be impacted by this rule... Typical SEC tactics!
nathandavis
· 3 months ago
OMG! This is ridiculous. Idiocy.
Ash
· 3 months ago
When will the "Big Dogs" realize they can't control everything anymore. The game has changed. Stop pushing your fans and customers away. Embrace them. Embrace technology. If you love your customers they will love you back.
Ike Pigott
· 3 months ago
I know where you are coming from, but this is to protect the video and streaming rights pertaining to a 15-year, over $5-billion deal with CBS and ESPN.
If the fans are willing to embrace eating that $5-billion, then let them step up and prove it.
Don Speirs
· 3 months ago
Interesting. Out here, I know the Seattle Mariners (@TheRealMariners) tweet live from their own games, and appreciate social media from their games.They even hosted a Social Media Happy Hour, and promote that one of their players (Ryan Rowland-Smith - @hyphen18) is active on Twitter (albeit not during games). Of course, Sattle is a hotbed for social media types (SMC Seattle regularly sells out their events well in advance), so the local teams being in favor of this is interesting as well.
Dave Friedel
· 3 months ago
It's the 800 pound gorilla. Most people will abide by it because people believe any sign or rule put in front of them. They can't stop it. It's your freedom to just not go to the game. Vote with your feet.
Dave Friedel
· 3 months ago
(Duplicate post)
Ryan Hill
· 3 months ago
umm.. duh? this is new news about as much as is the RIAA fears file sharing. this ruling was made by people who have staff that tweet for them. as much as we would like them to be willing to think outside the box and realize the potential of this technology, what do we really expect from the people who were the jocks in high school. You know, the ones who had trouble accepting technology more advanced than a basic calculator.
Keith R
· 3 months ago
I'll do whatever i d@mn well please at an SEC game. I'll be texting and doing everything on my phone like i always do regardless of a policy they decide to pass.
Keith R
· 3 months ago
I'll do whatever i d@m* well please at an SEC game. I'll be texting and doing everything on my phone like i always do regardless of a policy they decide to pass.
James Davis
· 3 months ago
I'm eager to see what lengths the SEC goes to to uphold such a policy or if any other conferences follow their lead.
Seems to me that CBS should jump and stand up for the rights of individuals to share their experience with friends. After all, imagine how much the ratings for a football game would go up if it entered Twitter's Trending Topics. CBS should open their arms to the free publicity and so should the SEC.
Go UGA!
@imjamesdavis
James Davis
· 3 months ago
I'm eager to see what lengths the SEC goes to to uphold such a policy or if any other conferences follow their lead.
Seems to me that CBS should jump and stand up for the rights of individuals to share their experience with friends. After all, imagine how much the ratings for a football game would go up if it entered Twitter's Trending Topics. CBS should open their arms to the free publicity and so should the SEC.
Go UGA!
@imjamesdavis
Randy
· 3 months ago
Charming. After getting rid of the fans, do they think that the money will then roll in?
Chris
· 3 months ago
"Ticketed fans" - So, as long as you have a ticket, but are NOT a fan, you are okay. "Vanderbilt ran up the middle again, I can't stand them, I am no longer a fan!!!! But I can tweet!"
Michael Osterman
· 3 months ago
Not only is this ban ridiculous, but I agree with you that it's counterproductive -- more people will watch an exciting game on TV that they learn about on Twitter or Facebook than will not watch because of these accounts. And, what it does it say about the quality of a CBS broadcast if a social media account of the game is an acceptable substitute for watching it on TV?
Rafael Marquez
· 3 months ago
I'm sorry but with the price of tickets, parking, food, etc. being so high nowadays, if I want to tweet, facebook and blog at a game, I should be allowed to. If I stayed home I could tweet, facebook, etc. why not at the stadium?
HeatherO
· 3 months ago
sigh! it's so sad, when people allow ignorance and fear get in the way..."those who are willing to change will inherit the earth; those who refuse will inherit a world that no longer exist"...they should look at the music industry, etal and see where "digging in your heels" versus embracing and inviting the change gets you. Allowing fans to edify you and spread your word is a no brainer! It's not even a new concept really. Look at the Grateful dead, Helllooo! In spite of those who screamed NO, you'll lose money, they allowed fans to record their concerts...I think that worked out pretty well for them, what do you think?
GrowMap
· 3 months ago
Do you suppose major media still doesn't get that Social Media will drive MORE interest in their coverage - not less?
Dawgfan
· 3 months ago
Georgia did this last year during the Alabama game - none of the cell phones in my area would work until we got away from the stadium. We didn't know if the area was overused or if "they" were controlling it someway. Texts took about 30-45 minutes to go through.
Mark Cathcart
· 3 months ago
Did someone say reg-rag to a bull ? How many people are now going to be doing this just because its banned... This is going the same way as MP3/RIAA suing their own customers...
Rebecca
· 3 months ago
You always have to check phones/cameras at sanctioned golf events . . .
J.D. Lyons
· 3 months ago
This policy would be laughable were it not for the realization that the SEC Executives must have skipped out of the Marketing 101 class and cannot recognize the fans in attendance who are taking pics of each other having a great time at the game - or the few who may actually manage to capture a game winning TD pass on a cell phone and forward it to fellow students or alumni who could not be at the game themselves, are in fact "promoting" the SEC and it isn't costing the SEC Marketing Department a dime. C'mon SEC Execs WAKE UP - you are getting worldwide advertising for FREE - be thankful...
Flea
· 3 months ago
BAD idea, SEC. This move hurts the fans. Far away fans need game coverage in any way they can get it.
Vince
· 3 months ago
Good luck with that!
J.D. Lyons
· 3 months ago
Apparently SEC Executives skipped out on Marketing 101 Class, otherwise they would realize that by fans taking pics of each other having a great time at the game or better yet actually being lucky enough to capture a game winning TD pass on a cell phone and sharing it online is in fact "promoting" the SEC !! - HELLO - SEC Execs - you are getting "Worldwide Advertising" for FREE - be thankful
Chris Young
· 3 months ago
In some ways I wonder if this isn't the SEC doing a little "CYA" in terms of the networks. They've invested billions of dollars and don't want any other competition, so they impress upon the SEC the importance of making this statement. No one can seriously believe that this ban is enforceable. What if I text instead of tweet a score or great play to my brother? What if I call an update him on a score? I find it hard to believe that the SEC leadership believes that this ban can really be applied, but at least they have put something out there to show that they are following the rules.
DonRyan
· 3 months ago
It's striking that the best football conference has the dumbest leadership. No way this will be enforced.
Doug Haslam
· 3 months ago
I think the sports folks need to remember the origins of broadcast-- teams were afraid to broadcast games, worrying it would affect the gate. Initially, many teams would allow only away game broadcasts. Of course, they were wrong- the promotional aspects of radio, then TV, were recognized, then embraced. Maybe we see a new evolution here.
Doug Haslam
· 3 months ago
I think the sports folks need to remember the origins of broadcast-- teams were afraid to broadcast games, worrying it would affect the gate. Initially, many teams would allow only away game broadcasts. Of course, they were wrong- the promotional aspects of radio, then TV, were recognized, then embraced. Maybe we see a new evolution here.
Eric Fouarge
· 3 months ago
This article made my day... yeah "lets ban social activities that are popular amongst the students" that'll just be so easyyy
Todd Davis
· 3 months ago
Sure CBS...go ahead and try to enforce that! As for the US Open no cameras / phones, that is standard at golf tournaments given people's ability to take a photo or have their phone go off at the most inopportune time. Obviously not about social media.
Cammo
· 3 months ago
"a fantastic compliment to sports"...think you mean complement.....
Mike Torrance
· 3 months ago
Big XII is where it's at! Sh*t Eating Conference is going down hill from here.
Jackie Adkins
· 3 months ago
The SEC recently changed these policies and now fans are only not allowed to take video of the game-action itself. Interview w/ Charles Bloom, Associate Commissioner of Media Relations, regarding the subject can be found here: http://bit.ly/SECinterview
LawyerGal
· 3 months ago
My prediction is that this will arise as a Freedom of Speech issue. Personal comments on an event, electronic or not, cannot be chilled, unlike beer.
toddtheodore
· 3 months ago
Weak sauce. This shows that the SEC is run by old money who has no clue about the current media and technology market
i am sure cbs had something to do with this. when the contract is over, let twitter and facebook step up and pay the $3B rights fee, oh yeah, they don't generate any revenue.
Dale Melder
· 3 months ago
BC ,just a question if Ole Miss has a SEC West championship ,when did Ole Miss appear in the SECCG in Atlanta?
Dale Melder
· 3 months ago
BC ,just a question if Ole Miss has a SEC West championship ,when did Ole Miss appear in the SECCG in Atlanta?
jansegers
· 3 months ago
I would suggest it's about time to organize Open Sports Events where the transmission of the event are free to all... and about which one can still communicate afterwards with friends and/or family [in a very strict sense, this is also excluded by the text cited above]
Reminds me of the 70's when VHS / BetaMax recorders were coming to market. OMG, someone might actually use them to record something!!! Then the fear hit again with CD recorders. And then DVD recorders. And then MP3s.
Now all of these things are big business.
Why can't business execs learn from the past?
prowse
· 3 months ago
This is great, look at the Social Media Comments at the bottom - that should answer the question of how "lame" this all is supposed to be to some of the commenters here.
All Comments
On the other hand, we all should quit moaning about this sort of thing. As was also stated, networks pay big-time $ to have exclusive rights to the game - should we really be surprised and/or upset that they want to protect their investments?
The whole "social media is supposed to be free and they just don't get it" argument is lame. They get it, but frankly, don't care about your opinion about or "rights" to free information sharing. They're running a business and in the SEC's case, a highly profitable one. (Note: I'm a fan of the Big East's flagship univerity, WVU, so I don't really have a dog in this fight.)
The courts have proven time and time again that just because you have a lot of money riding on something, doesn't mean you can trample on the rights of citizens. So, really, somewhat the dumbest post, yet. Both congress and the courts have also proved that because you are a business, also doesn't give the business the right to autonomy in all of it's deals. We arent talking about patents here, we are talking about copyrights.
Cameras are allowed for practice rounds (and players are usually cool with having their pictures taken), but not allowed once the event starts.
It's about noise rather than social media.
Obviously, they are not going to chase after every college student that tweets.
Its no different than--as mentioned above--commentators stating "Any rebroadcast, reproduction or other use of this game without the express written consent of Major League Baseball is prohibited,” You can still Tivo, tape, burn copies of the game. But if you try to start selling it on ebay they may take issue to that.
And SKMH, this isn't aimed at real prevention - as Heffer implies, it's aimed at prevention through via the threat of money damages being imposed on the rule-breakers after the fact.
On the other hand, I'll give you that there are plenty of rules, regulations and even laws that make criminals or infringers of some, or even many. But it's still not impossible, or even all that difficult, to live in today's world without breaking any of them.
But that is the SEC for you, and all arrogant nutcase college presidents who continue to ruin college football and college sports in general.
The SEC is the big dog of the CFB conferences and recently signed a very lucrative media deal with ESPN and CBS that probably factors into this policy decision. Of course it will mean jack squat in practical terms kinda like asking MSU to ban Cowbells or having gators pump into crappy music through their PA system.
ACC is hardly All Cupcake. Yes we're no SEC but we're not that far behind with VaTech, FSU, Miami, Clemson, GaTech and BC all strong. Remember there are teams in the SEC that have been poor for years: Vandy, Ole Miss, Miss St, Kentucky to name a few.
Bottom line is how will this be enforced?
check the facts on the records.....Geesh!! Poor in the 70's and early 80's but where have you been??
Out of conference wins over Nebraska/ oklahoma/ texas tech (3) .....2 recent cotton bowl wins/ sec west championship/
one thing and only thing "money". If everyone is so
angered and passionate then take this issue to the SEC, the
respective school presidents and other school representatives.
Complaining about it here will do you no good.....
respective school presidents and other school representatives" (like your local Community Colleege Sports Director ?), but also include all those on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, FriendFeed, and anyone else that uses social media (like MASHABLE COMMENTS).
COMPLAINING ABOUT IT HERE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE WILL DO ONLY GOOD.
Micheal, unless you prefer to enter your comments ONLY through a keyboard ("how quaint") attached to a "computer" sitting on a "desk" or at a standard "laptop" plugged into the wall via a "cable", then by your implied standards you would have no other way to let us know your opinions; no iPhone, no BlackBerry, no Google Phone, no nothing other than your current Luddite ways. And all because you say it's all about the cash.
Do you still buy "batteries" for your "pager"?
Sorry grandma, you can't take a picture of your grandson playing football and then add it the online Kodak website where you normally put your pictures to print. Your bad.
And the US Open banned all CellPhones and WhatNots? Perhaps President O'Bama (I think he's a wee bit Irish) should again take up golf, indeed? If the President's own SS can acquiesce to let him continue to tweet from his BlackBerry, then who are we to say no to him Tweeting on the green?
Do you really think today you control the RIGHT to KNOW?
If you have content, don't be afraid, just let people share you have something good and they will go to you.
Bradjward is talking about ACU, which is not part of the SEC. Its part of the Lone Star Conference. ACU embraces social technology in the classroom with giving students iPhones and iPod Touch's. Also the LSC is a a conference of smaller known schools, and the LSC already does text message updating of scores, so they are more likely to embrace it.
It is the RIAA all over again.
“Holder agrees by use of this ticket, not to transmit or aid in transmitting any description, account, picture, or reproduction of the game, performance, exhibition or event for which this ticket is issued.”
Otherwise, if media reporters are permitted into stadiums, this rule will run afoul freedom of press.
We need this to go to court, if only to see where the lines are drawn.
Otherwise, if media reporters are permitted into stadiums, this rule will run afoul freedom of press.
We need this to go to court, if only to see where the lines are drawn.
Thanks for the post, Adam!
I can see it now - dark sunglasses, trench-coat-wearing security police trolling the stadium with cellphone detectors, seeking out the electron stream from the stands out to Twitter Central, throwing unsuspecting fans to the ground and seizing their iPhones.
SEC, find something better to do with your time.
Ever think that a tweet, twitpic, status update or YouTube video might actually make someone change the channel and tune into your broadcast that makes money for your institutions and your conference?
Isn't connecting with fans and athletes via social media the next evolution of sports? Is this just another case of lawyers referring to laws that haven't caught up with technology or do you think they'll actually try to enforce this? And if so, how in the world will the SEC do that? Another Napster?
As far as I can tell, news stories are the property of the person who writes them. Pictures are the property of the person who takes them. I believe it's strictly to prevent competition. Pfft. Not like cell phone Joe is gonna compete with CBS in the media world with his 150 Twitter followers.
Geez. The world we live in is so freaking stupid.
Social media will happen in the workplace/stadium, etc. regardless of approval or not. Management (the SEC) can either understand this, and learn how to utilize it for their benefit- creating more fans/viewership/ticket sales, or the users will become alienated and find other ways to spend their time & money.
SEC, use your powers for good, not evil!
Sure, you might turn on the game because you read a tweet about it, and that's great. But what if someone in the stands films a better angle on a major play than the official cameramen do -- and THAT'S the angle the news outlets choose to use (and pay for)? Or if a fan's recording angle proves that an official's call was incorrect? Or if fans start tweeting the opposing team's signals / formations? Etc., etc., etc.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for social media at the stadium. But don't expect the powers-that-be to so eagerly adapt to new realities they themselves can't control.
Didn't the software industry figure out that copy protection didn't work? So why did the music industry not learn from our experience? So why hasn't the football industry learn from the music business.
Sidebands are valuable to the core of a brand. Some sidebands can be monetized. Third-party products and services sell the primary product and services. Football is just proving that it's a bad business.
This is the same scenario the RIAA/MPAA has spent the last decade combating, and I think we're all in agreement that witchhunt is a joke.
This is the same scenario the RIAA/MPAA has spent the last decade combating, and I think we're all in agreement that witchhunt is a joke.
Coverage of a public event, however, sounds like an issue of free speech. If a citizen of the U.S. attends a public event, they are free to relay whatever they saw in any medium or manner they choose. They can't draw on other people's accounts (specifically including the broadcaster's) without prior permission, but they should be able to share their own account. That's my understanding of Constitutional law anyway... and if it doesn't work that way, that's how it SHOULD work.
How many times have you seen someone at a baseball game with a transistor radio listening to the game that they are at!?
Just another sign that Technology is farther advance than people in charge!
iSEC?
Coverage of a public event, however, sounds like an issue of free speech. If a citizen of the U.S. attends a public event, they are free to relay whatever they saw in any medium or manner they choose. They can't draw on other people's accounts (specifically including the broadcaster's) without prior permission, but they should be able to share their own account. That's my understanding of Constitutional law anyway... and if it doesn't work that way, that's how it SHOULD work.
For SEC, tech-savvy fans might be biggest threats to media exclusivity
http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1027680.ece
10 years from now will be great once the media is gone along with record companies.
10 years from now will be great once the media is gone along with record companies.
Really, though, I used to live in Indiana & I'm a huge Colts fan. (Pre super bowl win & Peyton Manning) Now I live in Oregon & can't watch games. Last week when they played the Vikings, a few of my friends went to the game. They sent me pictures & kept me updated via twiter.
"In truth, though, the conference isn't so worried about [a] Facebook photo, or [a] phone call. They're not so worried about text messages and tweets.
What they're worried about is what [a cell/smart] phone, will be able to do in two years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now. "
http://www.psychicbunny.com/blog/2009/592/ameri...
It seems like sports are feeling a little cornered, when in fact they should feel anything BUT that. If you don't embrace the fans, they might find something else to do...
GO PAC 10!
USC TROJANS NATIONAL CHAMPS!
http://bit.ly/9ZYUe
If the fans are willing to embrace eating that $5-billion, then let them step up and prove it.
Seems to me that CBS should jump and stand up for the rights of individuals to share their experience with friends. After all, imagine how much the ratings for a football game would go up if it entered Twitter's Trending Topics. CBS should open their arms to the free publicity and so should the SEC.
Go UGA!
@imjamesdavis
Seems to me that CBS should jump and stand up for the rights of individuals to share their experience with friends. After all, imagine how much the ratings for a football game would go up if it entered Twitter's Trending Topics. CBS should open their arms to the free publicity and so should the SEC.
Go UGA!
@imjamesdavis
As for the US Open no cameras / phones, that is standard at golf tournaments given people's ability to take a photo or have their phone go off at the most inopportune time. Obviously not about social media.
http://ow.ly/kt9w
What's your take?
the world must be reminded of the FREE SPEECH MOVEMENT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Speech_Movement
it is about time.
Now all of these things are big business.
Why can't business execs learn from the past?