NBA Launches Online Video Rule Book To Better Educate Fans

NBA's Video Rule Book Will Educate Fans On Rules By Using Video Clips From Games

The NBA Friday launched a video rule book on its Web site, which "brings to life more than 100 rules -- from traveling to charging to illegal screens -- by using video clips from NBA games," according to Howard Beck of the N.Y. TIMES. The league is "aware of the need to educate fans -- especially now, with a staff of replacement referees on court" -- and the purpose of the online feature is "increased transparency, a concept the league has tried to embrace" since the scandal surrounding former referee Tim Donaghy. NBA Exec VP/Basketball Operations Stu Jackson said that the premise of the video rule book was "conceived about a year and a half ago, but was not inspired by the Donaghy case." Jackson: "It was just a great idea by some people here in basketball-referee operations." Beck reports the online catalog of rules "includes some of the most misunderstood and most difficult calls," and for each rule there are "several videos, along with a written explanation." Most of the clips are from the last two seasons, and "include some high-profile plays." Jackson: "If there's a play that receives a great amount of attention, that needs explanation and clarification, sure, we’re going to be more inclined to include that in the education of our fans." He added that the league will "keep adding to the video rule book and would update it with fresh clips as new situations arise" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/16).

SHOW YOUR WORLD TO ME: CBSSPORTS.com's Ken Berger wrote the league has taken a "bold and important step toward lifting the veil of secrecy when it comes to how the game is officiated -- not to mention how the officiating is graded and why calls are sometimes changed with the benefit of video review." The new technology provides fans with "irrefutable, slow-motion, video evidence to either fuel or debunk your conspiracy theories when it comes to NBA officiating." This is "nothing short of a bold step toward the kind of transparency that the league promised in the wake of the Tim Donaghy scandal." It does not get "any more transparent than turning over the most difficult officiating job in professional sports to dozens of amateurs and providing fans, media, coaches and players with a live, interactive blueprint for how referees are supposed to be doing their jobs" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/15). TRUEHOOP's Henry Abbott wrote the rule book, which already includes about 150 video clips, is a "very good idea" (ESPN.com, 10/15).