Professional Leagues Ban Twitter

The NHL is the latest professional sports league to ban twitter. The NFL was the first to take the lead in banning the use of twitter before, during and after the games. This rule applies to coaches, training staff and anyone involved in the production of the game. The NBA was not far behind banning tweeting 45 minutes before tip-off all the way until press conferences are completed after the game. Major League Baseball does not currently have a policy on the use of social networking but has had a long-standing policy of banning all communication devices 30 minutes before the game.

The NHL seems to be taking a precautionary route in following others' decision to ban the use of twitter. Most likely because it sees the trouble the NBA has gone through with numerous players and even an owner finding themselves in trouble with what they have tweeted.

ESPN reports that the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers have all set guidelines regarding twitter that are even more strict than the NBA's policy. These teams forbid the use of twitter not only during games but any time that is considered "team time," which includes practice, team meetings, travel, etc. Mark Cuban, the Dallas Maverick's owner, is reportedly the only person the NBA has fined in relation to tweeting. He was fined $25,000 for criticizing game officials on twitter. Former Bucks' foward, Charlie Villanueva, is just one of the players that has been criticized for tweeting during games or about them. Last season Villanueva make a comment on his twitter account during halftime of a game in which they were losing. Bucks' Head Coach, Scott Skiles, commented on the team's strict guidelines saying, "Don't put your personal business out there and don't put your team's business out there," he went on to say, "Their free time is their free time and their work time is their work time."

Many players like Shaq, Andrew Bogut and others feel the new rule is completely reasonable and said that they have never tweeted anything inappropriate. Bucks' guard, Charlie Bell, had a little different take on the new guidelines. He believes that twitter is a great way to say in touch with the fans and says he will continue to interactive with them; "It's going to be tough trying to stick to the rules and guidelines , but you've got to think about everything that you tweet...Hopefully I don't get fined too much."

Personally I agree with these leagues' decision to ban twitter during certain times. Fans do not need to know every single detail; there are some things that should just stay within the team. I also believe that tweeting certain information and details can take away from the "inside the locker room/behind the scenes reporting" that reporters work hard on. I don't believe twitter can completely damage the multi-million dollar contracts that leagues have with Fox Sports, CBS or any other major networks. I think the true, underlying reason for leagues setting up these guidelines is to protect franchises from idiotic and immature comments that some players make regarding their coaches, teammates, referees or whoever.