You know that “gentleman’s agreement” between ESPN and the NFL Network to have their reporters be selective about tweeting during NFL draft? Well, it doesn’t apply to Jason La Canfora.
After last year’s NFL draft, La Canfora left the NFL Network to become the NFL insider for CBS. As a result, any Twitter restrictions during the draft don’t apply to him; CBS isn’t providing live TV coverage of the draft.
So it’s open season for La Canfora. He intends to tweet as much as possible. Beware: that includes upcoming picks before they are revealed on TV (if he gets them) to his nearly 300,000 followers. He also will be contributing updates to CBSSports.com.
“We’re not a broadcast partner for the draft,” La Canfora said. “I will be trying to get the information out as quickly and accurately as possible. What event is made more for Twitter than the NFL draft? If the teams have the information; if the guys in the production truck have the information; if the commissioner has the information; why wouldn’t passionate football fans want it as well?”
Later, La Canfora added: “It’s very rare to have a job like this and you’re charged with stifling information. It goes against every instinct.”
However, after working at NFL Network, La Canfora understands why the networks want to set Twitter limitations. There are many viewers who don’t want to be tipped off about upcoming picks.
“We’d have these production meetings at NFL Network where after people complained, one producer would say, ‘Don’t put the picks on Twitter,'” La Canfora said. “Then you’d have another producer say, ‘It OK. Go ahead and put them on Twitter.’
“I understood it. I didn’t fight my bosses on it. I knew what the rules were. But if the rules don’t apply to you, I think you have to get the story.”
What about the followers who don’t want the story? Or at least those who don’t want to know until the picks are officially announced on the telecasts?
La Canfora says the solution is simple: Unfollow him during the draft or stay away from Twitter. You can’t have it both ways, he says.
“I’m going to do what I think best serves the people who follow me,” La Canfora said. “I don’t want to hurt anyone’s draft experience, but I also have a job to do.”
Jason is such a little worm.
WHYYY???? I am a hardcore football fan! But still I like the excitement of the commissioner saying the names. Not some wanna be who thinks he has all the facts. Just leave it alone for three nights. OH MY GOSH SO ANNOYING.
Because we want it to be a surprise you idiot!!!!!
it’s sad you have to resort to be a spoiled brat with a twitter account. I don’t know how you bribed the populous to get so many followers but you did you’re better than this. just provide pick analysis not spoilers
This year I was excited because no one was going to tip the picks and it was going to keep the suspense. but this A hole puts his try hard pants on to find a loop hole and exploit it. come on man….. Really??? please don’t do this… let the draft go back to being exciting rather than lame. I hope he is the only guy going to tip the picks and everyone else respects the agreement making him look foolish and like a selfish A hole he is. he isn’t even a good sports analyst… he should save his career and quit. I hope he gets black called for doing this, and he totally would dserve it.
One word: douchebag, I hope he has 7 followers by draft day
Fuck you Jason La Canfora.
Boooooo this man!!! Trying to do something different to add excitement to the draft and you are trying to mess that up. You are a CBS tool.
Umm, that’s exactly what I thought when I read the first article about ESPN and NFLN’s “gentleman agreement”. LET THEM TWITTER ALL THEY WANT, IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, DON’T USE TWITTER OR DON’T FOLLOW THEM! Is it a necessity to have Twitter open while you watch it on tv? What about people who aren’t able to watch it live. They aren’t allowed to receive the info ASAP? I say to ESPN, NFL Network, La Canfora, go ahead and Tweet away till your heart’s content. If I don’t want it I’ll take care of it on my end. Ridiculous.
We’re not a broadcast partner for the draft,” La Canfora said. “I will be trying to get the information out as quickly and accurately as possible. What event is made more for Twitter than the NFL draft? If the teams have the information; if the guys in the production truck have the information; if the commissioner has the information; why wouldn’t passionate football fans want it as well?”
Total bs, for the sake of waiting a extra few minutes on draft day there might be some tension and atmosphere about the event..the above statement by Laconfura is stupid
What a damn scumbag. You really have the desire to try and show up espn and the nfl network. You will never be even close to the same level as them
Good. I think all of the networks signed away a bit of integrity with that agreement. La Canfora still has his.
I am laughing at all the people complaining. My god do you have to look at Twitter all day long? Don’t follow him. Some of us want info for various draft contests we are in. You folks are funny. Cussing, swearing, ruin your excitement. Must be Jets fans. Don’t want the Tweet early about your Blair Thomas pick .LMAO