Count Those Beans

ESPN Limits Social Networking

The media is all abuzz the past couple of days over new “Social Media Policies” that some entities are issuing.  Mainly it has to do with some NFL teams and now ESPN (see link) saying that their players / employees cannot tweet (or Facebook for that matter) as freely as they would probably like.

In the case of the NFL teams, it’s more a matter of not wanting the teams / coaches tweeting from the sidelines and possibly revealing secrets.  Slightly understandable.  But the ESPN order is a classic corporate land grab.  In their minds they own their broadcast personalities and any opinion or word they have on sports.

Both entities in this case should make the lawyers and bean counters sit down and just listen (or get a Twitter account, for that matter).  Celebrities / personalities that tweet are drawing fans and the curious in droves.  This is not only interesting for the fans, it connects them with the personalities and encourages them to be a part of their activities and endeavors (i.e. fans are more likely to buy things like tickets, merchandise, subscriptions, etc.).

So, if ESPN and the teams would cool it they might find that the players and personalities that are “utilizing social networks” will bring them more revenue.  And they don’t even have to pay them more!  That’s a heck-of-a deal –- count those beans :).

Who’s your favorite celebrity / personality that you follow on Twitter?