Social media has hit the big time. Since 2005 when MySpace really shot to popularity, more and more everyone is bypassing traditional resources (T.V., radio, newspapers) in favor of cutting-edge websites that radiate "hip", "chic", and "in".

How else to explain the growth of YouTube, Facebook, and the latest social media darling, Twitter?

On the surface, Twitter use definitely seems to be as harmless since its bird logos. Yet in the summer of 2009, the microblogging phenomenon has drawn the ire of officials inside the august Football (NFL). Especially, some coaches, managers and league office types fear that one-hundred forty character "tweets" can compromise confidential game plans, injury reports, and sensitive marketing information. Certain NFL teams are even banning tweets during training camp, threatening players with fines and suspensions when they do not fall in line.

What the Controversy is really about.

Twitter's speed and mass im capacity scares head coaches. Whereas a team can manage press conferences and dictate press announcements, Twitter gives football fans unfiltered entry to its gridiron heroes. It represents a transition from command-controlled media with a raw form of citizen inquiry. While professional sports journalism still has its place, modern tools (laptops, notebooks, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs)) allows regular folks to bypass the local sportscast, ESPN, the NFL Network, and even the teams themselves to obtain what they want.

The NFL inside a Web 2.0 World.

NFL franchises are understandably sensitive about their on-field operations, but media leaks and other breaches of confidentiality will occur with or without Twitter. Inside era of 24/7 news cycles, a fragmented multimedia environment exposes professional athletes with an array of "independents" (bloggers, freelancers, paparazzi, etc.). For better or worse, the NFL office cannot prevent intrepid reporters and investigative journalists from seeking out good stories.

The NFL as well as other sports leagues must conserve the highest degree of integrity to live. As America's number 1 spectator sport, football is very susceptible to issues that can compromise it image. However, rather than attacking Web 2.0, perhaps it should take a look at gambling's increasingly presence throughout the game (fantasy football leagues, weekly pools, sports betting etc.) and also the effect it's on society.

And only Player Freedom.

Regardless of some highly publicized and sensational incidents, NFL players are generally responsible, hard-working men that represent their teams with honor and dignity. It's hard to believe a thief who has sacrificed so much to reach the top of his profession would knowingly jeopardize his career with inappropriate tweets. Instead, most players see Twitter in order to connect with fans and promote themselves beyond your football field devoid of the usual input from agents, coaches, and team publicists.

Twitter like a Future Partner?

The NFL is possibly the best marketed sport on the planet. Between September and February, it practically owns Sundays in the us, and pre-game/post game hype always carries to non-playing days. So, why the sudden Twitter paranoia? All things considered, weren't team general managers gleefully tweeting their winning picks to us on Draft Day in 2010? Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has a Twitter account!

Like everything else in business, probably the NFL's Twitterphobia comes down to money. As financially strong because it is today, the league doesn't yet understand how to monetize Twitter. Still, it will relax - Twitter's owners (Obvious) are also searching for a workable business model that ensures long-term viability and keeps it out of the hands of an giant media conglomerate. Probably the two organizations could get together to produce better brand awareness and shape their respective images.

Given its reputation like a marketing genius, the NFL's a reaction to Twitter is a touch bizarre. Sports leagues cannot control news flow anymore than government or military can. Its smartest choice may be to update it mobile technology policies, especially on game days. Due to the hard core Twitter-phobes, possibly the time has come for your league to provide general Twitter guidelines that coaches, players, management, and support personnel can all deal with.
For a lot more info, you need to check out: NFL Facebook

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