Bleep Tweet: The NBA Bans Twitter, Should Other Leagues Follow?

Notice that this is a follow up article to the one I wrote on Aug. 7 entitled "Bleep Tweet: Should Twitter Be Banned In Pro Sports During Games?"

The NBA has just announced that the use of cell phones, PDA's, and other electronic devices will now be banned "during games." This would also include banning the use of social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.

The period of time that is described as "during games" begins 45 minutes before tip-off and lasts until all media press conferences after the game have been completed. Players are allowed to use social networking sites during the pregame media access period, however, which begins 90 minutes before the game starts and lasts for 45 minutes.

Once that time period is complete, then the use of any social networking sites is off limits.

Owners and other team personnel that are sitting along the sidelines during games are not placed under this ban, but coaches and other basketball-operations members that are in the locker room and near the players are affected.

Halftime is also a time in which banning of such electronic devices will take place. Players used to go into halftime "tweeting" to their followers on Twitter about the game. This may have allowed the fans to get an insider's view of the game, but it distracted the players from the game of basketball itself.

According to an ESPN.com report, the announcement sent out by the league stated that teams:

"are free to adopt their own rules relating to the use of electronic communication devices and social media sites and services during practices, meetings and other team events."

Yes, teams may have their own rules and guidelines regarding Twitter and other social networking sites, but by the league banning these sites, it shows that this is an apparent problem that the league is trying to resolve.  

The NBA is the most widely popular sports league in North America when it comes to players sending "tweets" out to their followers during games. It is because of this known fact that the league is having to take appropriate action towards the situation.

Likely the most popular player regarding Twitter in the NBA is Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal, who is one of the many players found to have used Twitter during a basketball game.

It is because of O'Neal and other players who have "tweeted" during games that the league has made this ban, and I believe it is for the best.

The NFL took action against Twitter in it's league as well. The NFL stated that coaches, players and football operations personnel, or any third party representing any of the mentioned above, are not allowed to use Twitter, Facebook or any social networking sites 90 minutes before kick-off. They are only allowed to use these sites AFTER all media press conferences are completed after the game is over.

Dwyane Wade is the most popular NBA-Tweeter with over 100,000 followers. ESPN.com reports that D-Wade responded to the banning by saying:

"When you come to work, you come to work," Wade said. "You can tweet before, you can tweet after. It's not addicting like where I'm going to take a bathroom break, go downstairs and tweet. I think people take it a little too far with that. But I think it's very good to have communications with your fans personally. A lot of people, you can see them in a different light."

I believe D-Wade said it best. Whether people believe it or not, playing basketball in the NBA is a person's job. Most people are not allowed to use social networking sites during work, so why should that be different in sports?

Should other leagues follow the banning that the NBA and NFL have placed on social networking sites during games? I believe so. Your job as an athlete is to be focused, play to your very best, and keep your mind on the game.

That means use Twitter when you are away from the stadium, connect to your fans AFTER you return to your house, hotel, etc. Not during games, distracting yourself from your job and losing focus of what's important.

The NBA and the NFL took appropriate action towards social networking. Other leagues could learn a thing or two from these sports powerhouses. They should follow the banning of Twitter during games, and encourage athletes to focus on the sport they are participating in.