The NBA is expected to release a revised policy on cell phone and social media use during games for players and coaches, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. The NBPA has worked closely with the league on this review, according to Begley, and it will align with current social media coverage. That unedited policy was instituted in 2009 and prevented the use of social media from the time of its creation 45 minutes before the start and end of the nearest media tasks. The new policy will prohibit any use of phones or similar devices from the start to the end of the game.
The current use of social media by gamers during video games is unusual, no longer exceptional. The 2009 rule was initially known informally as the “Villanueva rule,” then-Milwaukee Dollars forward Charlie Villanueva tweeted from the store at halftime of a game. Portland Path Blazers teacher Chauncey Billups has He also told the story of one of his players who posted a highlight video of a dunk at halftime around the time 18 issues followed. Some teams even have their own policies on cell phone and social media use that go beyond league coverage.
The intent of the general rule is to basically keep players and coaches focused on the game itself, but it will also provide an additional layer of coverage for the integrity of the game. At the end of the season, then-Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA within an hour of an investigation that found he shared undercover data with bettors and bets on NBA games when he was in the G -League.
As part of this policy, teams will designate a level of verbal exchange for players and coaches during which cell phones are not permitted. That staff member would be able to shout and message within the context of a situation.
