Obama Speaks At Sloan Conference Under Confidentiality Order

Former President Obama on Friday attended the 12th annual MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston, but if "you were not an attendee at the event, don’t expect to hear much" about what Obama shared as there were "strict rules in place that extended beyond barring the media from divulging Obama’s insights." During Obama’s panel, "photography; video recording; streaming; and social media posting" was not permitted -- "without exception,” according to a warning from conference officials. The notice said, “Those who fail to adhere to this policy will be subject to removal from the conference and denied tickets to future SSAC conferences.” Conference co-Chair Jessica Gelman said that this year’s conference has "more than 3,500 people from more than 35 countries representing some 600 organizations and 200 universities" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/24). Reporters were "granted media credentials weeks ago, only to be slapped with the journalistic equivalent of a gag order just 24 hours before the conference" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/24).

One or two people here in line to see Obama. Eat your heart out, Hall H at Comic-Con. #SSAC18 pic.twitter.com/CP7MuVpQzp

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 23, 2018