The NFL has fined 12 teams and three players so far this season for unauthorized use of electronic devices on sidelines during games, according to Pro Football Talk. Clubs have received fines of $50,000 and players have been fined the minimum amount of $5,305 after the NFL “observed several electronic device policy violations this season” according to a memo the league sent to teams on Dec. 2.
NFL players, coaches, and team staff are prohibited from using, wearing or possessing any electronic device (such as a cell phone, wearables, laptop, tablet, etc.) that are not issued by the league. The policy goes into effect at kickoff and is upheld in the bench area, locker room, and coaches' booth. The policy is intended to prevent teams from communicating information during games that could create a competitive advantage, such as info related to injuries or other strategic decisions.
“Clubs are strongly encouraged to put pregame processes in place to ensure compliance. This should include verifying that each individual with bench area, locker room, and coaches’ booth access are not wearing or possessing a prohibited electronic device (e.g., cell phone, Apple Watch, Fitbit, etc.) at kickoff,” the NFL wrote in its Dec. 2 memo.
Football operations staff and team medical personnel can use cell phones for certain work duties during games, but must step out of the coaches booth or away from the bench area to use their phone. A source told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that the league is “terrified” of the possibility of doctors or other medical personnel sharing real-time medical information during games to seek a competitive advantage. The NFL’s concerns follow multiple electronic sign-stealing scandals in MLB that involved the Astros using cameras and video replay while the Red Sox and Yankees illicitly used an Apple Watch or FitBit.
