NHL releasing new social media policy

[LadyStanley]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2011/09/14/sp-nhl-social-media.html?cmp=rss

League collaborated with union to create it.

Highlights of the policy include a social media blackout window before, during and after games, as well as during practice and any other team obligations. Any use of social media applications such as Twitter or Facebook in violation of these rules may be subject to an undisclosed punishment.

Click to read more...

 

[Mantha Poodoo]

Technically speaking, isn't any time before or after a game? Played a game 2 days ago? You're tweeting after a game! Having a game tomorrow? You're tweeting before a game.

I hope the actual wording is more... erm, precise.

 

[Westender]

The phrase "blackout window" indicates that it is in fact a specific period of time. I'm sure we'll hear the specifics soonish.

 

[awfulwaffle]

This is so Pejorative Slured! Why should players not be allowed to do this? Maybe before a game if the player has some free time, he can tweet out where to meet them for an autograph or to say hi. Completely takes away from the fan experience of the game.

I know one such instance of the Diamondbacks doing a tweet before the game to find them in a certain part of the stadium, and they could get a seat upgrade if they did that. Why couldn't the same be done by a player and such?

Does anyone know of any upside to this new rule?

 

[danishh]

so it basically mirrors that of the nfl?

 

[jessebelanger]

TSN stated that the pre-game black-out window was 2 hours before scheduled start.

Didn't provide any further details..

Let's get more information before blasting the policy.

 

[rafterman]

Completely takes away from the fan experience of the game.

Really ? You go to a game expecting to have access to players and your experience will be ruined if a player can't send a tweet ?

Does anyone know of any upside to this new rule?

It's not necessarily about upside, but limiting downside and setting some basic guidelines. We all know at some point there would be a player that would send a tweet during a game or divulge an undisclosed injury or new 'plan' ('hey, check out our new PP tonight...' ) by accident, and then cry 'but you didn't tell me I couldn't....' as his defense when his team had an issue with it.

This is about putting a set of guildlines out there so that no one can claim igonorance when they do something stupid. I'm guessing it's a pretty limited window that's now off limits and probably a basic list of things that shouldn't be talked about.

 

[TMLeafer]

As per the new policy, there is a total "blackout period" on the use of social media on game days, which for players begins two hours prior to opening face-off and is not lifted until players have finished their post-game media obligations. The suggested blackout period for hockey operations staff is longer, beginning at 11 a.m. on game days.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=588534&cmpid=nhl-rxl-fb

 

[LadyStanley]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/11247/breaking-down-nhls-social-media-policy

ESPN defines the hockey ops folks as GM, coaches, trainers, equipment folks. Also provides some guidelines of what not to post (including things prohibited in Bylaws, detrimental to league, etc.).

(So the broadcasters and the guy doing the play-by-play tweets are not effected.)

 

[No Fun Shogun]

So, two hours before puck drop and after media requirements following the game for players?

I'm fine with that. Seems like a sensible blackout window to me.

 

[Kitten Mittons]

Has anyone important ever posted 2 hours before or during or right after the game anyway?

 

[Mc5RingsAndABeer]

so it basically mirrors that of the nfl?

My first thought as well. It'll probably be the same thing.

 

[Tommy Hawk]

This is so Pejorative Slured! Why should players not be allowed to do this? Maybe before a game if the player has some free time, he can tweet out where to meet them for an autograph or to say hi. Completely takes away from the fan experience of the game.

I know one such instance of the Diamondbacks doing a tweet before the game to find them in a certain part of the stadium, and they could get a seat upgrade if they did that. Why couldn't the same be done by a player and such?

Does anyone know of any upside to this new rule?

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/11247/breaking-down-nhls-social-media-policy

ESPN defines the hockey ops folks as GM, coaches, trainers, equipment folks. Also provides some guidelines of what not to post (including things prohibited in Bylaws, detrimental to league, etc.).

(So the broadcasters and the guy doing the play-by-play tweets are not effected.)

I think rather than trying to limit the subject matter, they just prevent all interaction. There might be code for those that have gambling problems/issues. For example, calling your bookie or doing something else can be directly traced but a tweet or something could be a code that so and so is injured, new power play scheme that will suck, etc.

 

[danishh]

i dont know why anyone would be opposed to this.

it's no different than your boss forbidding facebook and twitter at work.

 

[LadyStanley]

Has anyone important ever posted 2 hours before or during or right after the game anyway?

Only if they aren't playing.

My experience is most guys are at the arena 2+ hours before game time anyway.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Honestly, if they're tweeting 2 hours before gametime I have a problem with that.

 

[Fehr Time*]

Honestly, if they're tweeting 2 hours before gametime I have a problem with that.

Why would you? And why would anyone care to be honest? I think this policy is ridiculous.

 

[rojac]

Why would you? And why would anyone care to be honest? I think this policy is ridiculous.

I suspect they're not supposed to be on the phone with buddies and family during that time either. They're at work and should be concentrating on doing their job which during that time is preparing for the game.

Do you work for a living? Does your boss appreciate it when you're goofing off doing non-work things when you're supposed to be doing your job?

 

[Fehr Time*]

I suspect they're not supposed to be on the phone with buddies and family during that time either. They're at work and should be concentrating on doing their job which during that time is preparing for the game.

They are not children. These players did not get where they are by not being able to concentrate and prepare for games. They are the best in the world at their craft for a reason. Who cares if they talk to someone on the phone or tweet something before a game? It is fun for the fans to be able to interact with players when they can via social media, and that is what counts.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Why would you? And why would anyone care to be honest? I think this policy is ridiculous.

Because 2 hours before game time you are already in the timeframe where players are supposed to be getting focused and prepared for the game. If someone is screwing around on Twitter they aren't on task at all.

 

[Fehr Time*]

Because 2 hours before game time you are already in the timeframe where players are supposed to be getting focused and prepared for the game. If someone is screwing around on Twitter they aren't on task at all.

Would you ban pre game or intermission interviews with players as well then? After all, it could affect their concentration. I fail to to see the difference between that and tweeting or whatever myself. This is just about the league doing their best to be control freaks as much as anything.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Would you ban pre game or intermission interviews with players as well then?

Do you think that coaches WANT their players getting pulled aside for that stuff, or do you think that it's pretty much dictated to them by the GM as part of the business side of the organization?

I fail to to see the difference between that and tweeting or whatever myself.

The difference is that one is part of their job and the other is goofing around.

 

[Fehr Time*]

Do you think that coaches WANT their players getting pulled aside for that stuff, or do you think that it's pretty much dictated to them by the GM as part of the business side of the organization?



The difference is that one is part of their job and the other is goofing around.

It should be what the fans think, not some Gm imo. Their job is providing entertainment as well, whether people like it or not. People love getting a glimpse in to what goes on behind the scenes and in to the personality of their favourite player(s). This just seems like a case of the Fun Police run amok again.

 

[MaskedSonja]

It should be what the fans think, not some Gm imo. Their job is providing entertainment as well, whether people like it or not. People love getting a glimpse in to what goes on behind the scenes and in to the personality of their favourite player(s). This just seems like a case of the Fun Police run amok again.

You make some solid points there, and I agree. However there are some who would argue that hockey is a business FIRST, and some fans might say they'd rather see their favorite players focusing on winning games and winning a Stanley Cup that "entertaining" the fans.

as an aside Brian Burke btw would agree with you on the "entertainment" part though-he says that they are in the Entertainment business, and that's why he doesn't have the Leafs play defensive trap/style hockey: it isn't entertaining (also may not win cups).

 

[tarheelhockey]

It should be what the fans think, not some Gm imo. Their job is providing entertainment as well, whether people like it or not. People love getting a glimpse in to what goes on behind the scenes and in to the personality of their favourite player(s). This just seems like a case of the Fun Police run amok again.

NHL organizations aren't a democracy, they're a business. As employees, the players' primary job is to win hockey games. Anything that is even perceived to interfere with that goal is very likely to be against the rules unless it has a clear and specific purpose to support the organization in some other way. Just the same as any normal company's policy.

I would agree with you if the rule was against using social media across the board, but 2 hours before a game there is no reason a player should be screwing around on Twitter.