The NBA is expected to communicate to teams an updated policy on cell phone and social media use that prohibits players and coaches from using their phones from tipoff until the end of the game, per SNY sources.
In the communication, expected to come this week, the NBA will restate the previous rule that prohibited players and coaches from using their phones to post on social media or share video footage (or other information) to a game official, media member or basketball operations personnel seated courtside from 45 minutes before tipoff until after postgame media obligations, sources say.
The rule revision is intended, primarily, to keep players and coaches focused on team matters during games. The revision also is intended to bolster the integrity of the game as it relates to gambling.
In April, the NBA banned Toronto’s Jontay Porter from the league after an investigation found that he disclosed confidential information to bettors and bet on NBA games while playing in the G League.
The NBA and the NBA Players Association worked closely on the policy update, per people familiar with the matter.
In this policy, teams will designate one point of communication for players and coaches during the “no cell phone” period, SNY sources say. The person designated as a point of communication would field calls or messages sent to players during games in the event of an emergency.
The cell phone/social media rule applies to active and inactive players, per people familiar with the matter.
If there is an issue related to medical treatment for a player or an arena security issue, players and coaches are permitted to use cell phones or other electronic devices for communication.
