Rise Of Twitter Challenges NFL's Control Over Player Image

Redskins Rookie Thinks Twitter Is Good Way For Lesser-Known Players To Market Themselves

NFL fans this season for the first time "aren't dependent on media reports for training camp updates," as players themselves are "divulging certain details" on Twitter, according to a front-page piece by Rick Maese of the WASHINGTON POST. While athletes have used "blogs the past couple of years, they say Twitter is quicker, more accessible and less likely to be filtered through agents, publicists or team officials before publication." The new insight is a "good thing" for the fans and players, but the NFL is an "image-obsessed league, routinely beset by athletes' off-the-field antics." Twitter has "already grown into a social media tool over which the league has little to no control," and while players "test their boundaries and wrestle for their independence, league and teams have kept a careful eye on Twitter feeds, trying to maintain a semblance of order." NFL and social media experts are predicting that the "upcoming season will be unlike any before." SportsFan Live Founder & CEO David Katz said, "The NFL in many respects drives the sports industry in this country, and we're now about to go through our first season with Twitter as a viable media distribution outlet. It'll be interesting to see how the NFL reacts and adapts, what rules they create, and how the players will embrace it all." Maese noted many players see Twitter as a "chance to introduce themselves to fans." Redskins rookie WR Keith Eloi: "It's all about the helmet, but when Twitter comes out, you get the real person. ... It's very hard to get your name out there if you don't have people marketing you and doing advertising for you and doing this and doing that." Sports Media Challenge President Kathleen Hessert said, "I think Twitter has a huge opportunity for football players in particular to break out of the helmet and become a person over and above some number out on the field" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/2).

McCarthy Implements $1,701 Fine For  Players Tweeting During Team Functions

WATCH WHAT YOU TWEET: In Ft. Lauderdale, Ethan Skolnick reported the Dolphins have implemented restrictions on tweeting during training camp that "relate not only to media but also to fans." Dolphins Senior VP/Media Relations Harvey Greene indicated that the team is "trying to curtail the immediate dissemination of erroneous and/or 'competitive' information," adding that a delay "gives reporters the chance to get an explanation from a player or coach before sending a guess out to the world." The Dolphins contend that the regulations are "not extreme, as compared to other NFL teams, and that some don't allow tweeting at all, not even during individual drills." Skolnick: "In this economy, very few businesses would do anything that would limit free, frequent and widespread promotion of their product. Apparently, the Dolphins are one of those few businesses" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 8/2). Packers coach Mike McCarthy told his team that "any player caught tweeting during a team function will be fined the maximum of $1,701." Packers RB Ryan Grant on his Twitter feed said, "Expect tweets in the morning before we go to work, possibly around lunch time and at night once we done. I don't want that heavy fine" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 8/1). Bears coach Lovie Smith said, "We can't dictate what guys are doing outside the building, but I've told them as far as Twitter or blogging, whatever they would say (to reporters) after practice is all we want them putting on there." Bears DT Tommie Harris, who has more than 5,000 Twitter followers, said, "It brings you closer to your fans and your friends. People know where you are without calling and texting. It's just a way for people to follow you" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/3).