Homeland Security Calls Threat Against Stadiums Noncredible

NFL, Teams Vague About Increasing Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has notified the NFL and law enforcement agencies of “an Internet threat to detonate radiological ‘dirty’ bombs outside seven stadiums hosting games Sunday, but immediately dismissed the threat as noncredible,” according to Hsu & Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. DHS spokesperson Russ Knocke said of the threat, “We view this with the strongest of skepticism, and we strongly encourage the American public to go about their daily lives and to attend large gatherings, and to go to football games.” The notice cited games in Atlanta, Cleveland, Houston, Miami, N.Y., Oakland and Seattle — all of which host NFL games this weekend. NFL VP/PR Greg Aiello in a statement said, “Our stadiums are very well protected through the comprehensive security procedures we have in place” (WASHINGTON POST, 10/19). The threat was posted on October 12 at www.thefriendsociety.com, an English-language Web site that no longer loads. NBC’s “Today” interviewed Keegan Martin, the owner of the Web domain, who said that the message board posting “was probably meant to be a joke.” Martin: “It’s a humor Web site. There’s animations and like, you know, different content like that” (“Today,” NBC, 10/19).

BEING VIGILANT: Officials “became aware of the posting Monday” and “relayed the threat to the NFL on Tuesday.” DHS spokesperson Jarrod Agen said the threats were relayed out of an “abundance of caution” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/19). Ravens Senior VP/Public & Community Relations Kevin Byrne said that DHS “has recommended that officials of all 32 NFL teams avoid publicly discussing what security procedures are in place and what would occur should the alert be heightened” (Baltimore SUN, 10/19). NBC News’ Brian Williams asked NBC’s Pete Williams, “Other than scaring potential football fans this weekend, is any action being taken as a result?” Pete Williams: “The NFL says security has been high for months at its stadiums, and if anything more is going to be done, it won’t be much” (“Nightly News,” NBC, 10/18). Several NFL teams issued statements saying that they are aware of the threat and are working to ensure safety for their fans on Sunday (THE DAILY).

NEW YORK: NJSEA Chair Carl Goldberg said that FBI officials “have warned the agency of a possible attack on several occasions over the past five years.” In Newark, Matthew Futterman reports an “additional contingent of state police will be circling Giants Stadium, assisting security personnel with the usual pat-downs and bag checks that have been going on since” the 9/11 attacks (STAR-LEDGER, 10/19).

THREATENED STADIUMS RESPOND: Officials from the Georgia Dome, NFL security, Georgia Homeland Security, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the GBI, Atlanta Police and the FBI met Wednesday afternoon “to coordinate monitoring the Internet threat and continue investigating it” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/19). The Browns said that they have met with “the appropriate federal and local authorities” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/19). Texans Dir of Security Ryan Reichert said that “for the time being, no additional security measures are being planned but team officials are keeping ‘eyes and ears open’” (CNN.com, 10/18). Seattle police said that they “won’t alter any of their normal security measures” on Sunday (SEATTLE TIMES, 10/19). Raiders Senior Administrator Artie Gigantino said that the team “had not discussed whether to refund tickets to anyone who might fear going to the stadium under such a threat.” In S.F., Koopman & White write with the Raiders winless so far this season, “threats of death and destruction aren’t likely to help ticket sales” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/19).

OTHER HOST TEAMS RESPOND: For Sunday’s Colts game at the RCA Dome, “there was no word on whether security would be tightened” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/19). Officials at Raymond James Stadium — which does not perform pat-downs — said that they are “putting extra security around the stadium for the game” (CNN.com, 10/18). Stadiums in Cincinnati, Buffalo, K.C. and Dallas are also hosting games this weekend (THE DAILY).

TV MONITOR: While the threat against NFL stadiums was quickly characterized as noncredible by authorities, the story still received major attention by TV outlets. All three morning news shows — ABC's "GMA," CBS' "The Early Show" and NBC's "Today" -– covered the story in their first news segments. "The Early Show" interviewed Institute for Homeland Security Dir Randy Larsen. "GMA" had correspondent Pierre Thomas at the Meadowlands. Last night, ABC's "World News Tonight" first reported on the threat at 20:30 into the broadcast; CBS' "Evening News" reported it at 7:15; and NBC's "Nightly News" reported the story at 8:05. The 6:00pm ET edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" first reported on the threat at 38:37, with 0:37 of total coverage. The report on the threat aired almost halfway through the 90-minute broadcast and featured ESPN's Chris McKendry briefly describing the situation and then reading the NFL's statement. The 11:00pm edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" first reported on the threat at 14:02 (THE DAILY).