Twitter's @gctigertracker - why the anonymity?

[nevets88]

Makes him or her more interesting but it's not like he's written anything awful about Woods. Is it because of the cellphone policy? Stupid question that has no importance. I know. Thought just crossed my mind.

[DeadMan]

I would imagine that the biggest reason is the possibility that PGA cracks down and bans whoever is the person doing this. It's possible it's a violation of their media credentials, and the PGA Tour doesn't take kindly to people broadcasting stuff about their events (see Stephanie Wei). Also, whoever it is is likely using his phone to tweet out, and that's also frowned upon.

I think the other reason is that it's probably not just one person doing it.

[nevets88]

Agree. And it's not like there's a way to monetize it. It does have quite a follower count though.

[isukgolf]

Could it be more than one person?

[RandallT]

I would imagine that the biggest reason is the possibility that PGA cracks down and bans whoever is the person doing this. It's possible it's a violation of their media credentials, and the PGA Tour doesn't take kindly to people broadcasting stuff about their events (see Stephanie Wei). Also, whoever it is is likely using his phone to tweet out, and that's also frowned upon.

I think the other reason is that it's probably not just one person doing it.

Since this is something that the Golf Channel is actively promoting on their web site http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/tiger-tracker/, surely their NBC lawyers have gone through the legalities of broadcasting.

Does broadcasting an event only apply to video/photo/audio? And "text" updates of a sporting event via twitter (or a blog/whatever) does not fall under those restrictions? I suppose it's not much different than the many "live blogs" we see of sporting events. For example, I love watching the live blogs of World Cup matches as they are in progress, since you get lots of snark and interesting comments throughout that supplement the tv viewing. Same thing with GCTigerTracker.

Interesting topic, @nevets88 . Would be interesting to see more info on what it takes to run that feature. Just a one-man show, or a team of people that make it happen? The person gets access to every tournament, so I imagine there are official press credentials being used somehow.

Will be interesting to see if other media/sports outlets do things like this. Send in a mole to another media outlet's event, and tweet/blog the heck out of it to gain viewers. If it's well done, people will tune in, and you might gain viewership without paying money to broadcast an event? Seems odd, but it works in this case, since it's focused on just one aspect of the event.

[DeadMan]

Since this is something that the Golf Channel is actively promoting on their web site http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/tiger-tracker/, surely their NBC lawyers have gone through the legalities of broadcasting.

Does broadcasting an event only apply to video/photo/audio? And "text" updates of a sporting event via twitter (or a blog/whatever) does not fall under those restrictions? I suppose it's not much different than the many "live blogs" we see of sporting events. For example, I love watching the live blogs of World Cup matches as they are in progress, since you get lots of snark and interesting comments throughout that supplement the tv viewing. Same thing with GCTigerTracker.

I think you're right that NBC lawyers have certainly gone through and reviewed this. But I do know there have been lawsuits about exactly this type of stuff. If I remember correctly, there was a lawsuit between the NBA and STATS, Inc., which provided score updates sourced from people watching the games on TV. STATS won the lawsuit, so it's probably not illegal to do what Tiger tracker is doing. But the PGA Tour would also easily be within its rights to revoke the credentials of the Tiger tracker, because it controls access to the courses. And presumably, Tiger tracker is actually following Tiger on the course. Or at least is using someone who is following Tiger on the course.

There are a decent amount of cases on this exact point. And essentially, it's not illegal to broadcast information from the sporting event. But the way that sports got around it was by addressing it through contract. So, on the back of your tickets to a game, you'll see that you're not allowed to broadcast it. It's the same thing for media. They have restrictions they have to abide by. I know ESPN, when doing golf live blogs, does not do every shot of certain golfers because of those restrictions (or at least they used to - I haven't done an ESPN live blog recently).

Now, this is all speculation. The PGA Tour might not care (and they shouldn't given the popularity of Tiger). I would imagine the Golf Channel would clear the Tiger tracker with the PGA Tour. But you never know. And the PGA Tour could easily change it mind and decide they don't want the Tiger tracker around anymore.

It could also just be something stupid like keeping the mystique of the tracker. Or that it's not just one person doing it.

[RandallT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallT

Since this is something that the Golf Channel is actively promoting on their web site http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/tiger-tracker/, surely their NBC lawyers have gone through the legalities of broadcasting.

Does broadcasting an event only apply to video/photo/audio? And "text" updates of a sporting event via twitter (or a blog/whatever) does not fall under those restrictions? I suppose it's not much different than the many "live blogs" we see of sporting events. For example, I love watching the live blogs of World Cup matches as they are in progress, since you get lots of snark and interesting comments throughout that supplement the tv viewing. Same thing with GCTigerTracker.

I think you're right that NBC lawyers have certainly gone through and reviewed this. But I do know there have been lawsuits about exactly this type of stuff. If I remember correctly, there was a lawsuit between the NBA and STATS, Inc., which provided score updates sourced from people watching the games on TV. STATS won the lawsuit, so it's probably not illegal to do what Tiger tracker is doing. But the PGA Tour would also easily be within its rights to revoke the credentials of the Tiger tracker, because it controls access to the courses. And presumably, Tiger tracker is actually following Tiger on the course. Or at least is using someone who is following Tiger on the course.

There are a decent amount of cases on this exact point. And essentially, it's not illegal to broadcast information from the sporting event. But the way that sports got around it was by addressing it through contract. So, on the back of your tickets to a game, you'll see that you're not allowed to broadcast it. It's the same thing for media. They have restrictions they have to abide by. I know ESPN, when doing golf live blogs, does not do every shot of certain golfers because of those restrictions (or at least they used to - I haven't done an ESPN live blog recently).

Now, this is all speculation. The PGA Tour might not care (and they shouldn't given the popularity of Tiger). I would imagine the Golf Channel would clear the Tiger tracker with the PGA Tour. But you never know. And the PGA Tour could easily change it mind and decide they don't want the Tiger tracker around anymore.

It could also just be something stupid like keeping the mystique of the tracker. Or that it's not just one person doing it.

Good info, thanks. Sounds like you know the topic somewhat.

I've only really followed along with one window of my browser a few times as I've watched a tournament, and whatever or whoever is behind it, he/they sure seem to consistently make it seem like it's one diehard fan, loyal to Tiger and constantly on edge and frustrated that Tiger can't find his old form again. It's pretty entertaining, and sometimes a bit ahead of the live coverage or web site update. I think it's cool to have the direct feed from someone who seems to be walking the fairways with him. Would be a shame to have that shut down.

[iacas]

I don't know what some of you are talking about…

The identity of the "GC Tiger Tracker" is pretty well known.

As a member of the media I can take my cell phone out and use it discreetly any time - certainly to silently type and send a tweet slightly away from the crowd. The PGA Tour knows who the guy is, too.

I think the "anonymity" thing is a little game he plays, plus he's setting it up for a time when, if he doesn't want to travel so much, someone else can just take over. But c'mon, the guy tells you what color shirt he's wearing every time, walks around with Tiger when he's out there, etc. Everyone who is into golf even a little (at tournaments, I mean) knows who the guy is. This includes tournament hosts, the PGA Tour media people, etc.

[newtogolf]

I don't know what some of you are talking about…

The identity of the "GC Tiger Tracker" is pretty well known.

As a member of the media I can take my cell phone out and use it discreetly any time - certainly to silently type and send a tweet slightly away from the crowd. The PGA Tour knows who the guy is, too.

I think the "anonymity" thing is a little game he plays, plus he's setting it up for a time when, if he doesn't want to travel so much, someone else can just take over. But c'mon, the guy tells you what color shirt he's wearing every time, walks around with Tiger when he's out there, etc. Everyone who is into golf even a little (at tournaments, I mean) knows who the guy is. This includes tournament hosts, the PGA Tour media people, etc.

First name initial "R"?

[RJH999]

I don't know what some of you are talking about… The identity of the "GC Tiger Tracker" is pretty well known. As a member of the media I can take my cell phone out and use it discreetly any time - certainly to silently type and send a tweet slightly away from the crowd. The PGA Tour knows who the guy is, too. I think the "anonymity" thing is a little game he plays, plus he's setting it up for a time when, if he doesn't want to travel so much, someone else can just take over. But c'mon, the guy tells you what color shirt he's wearing every time, walks around with Tiger when he's out there, etc. Everyone who is into golf even a little (at tournaments, I mean) knows who the guy is. This includes tournament hosts, the PGA Tour media people, etc.

Is it you?! ARE YOU TIGER TRACKER? :-P

[Scotsclaff]

I would imagine that the biggest reason is the possibility that PGA cracks down and bans whoever is the person doing this. It's possible it's a violation of their media credentials, and the PGA Tour doesn't take kindly to people broadcasting stuff about their events (see Stephanie Wei). Also, whoever it is is likely using his phone to tweet out, and that's also frowned upon.

I think the other reason is that it's probably not just one person doing it.

In a FREE internet world anyone could comment about the PGA 'S events,I piss on their media credentials.

[jbishop15]

I don't know what some of you are talking about…

The identity of the "GC Tiger Tracker" is pretty well known.

As a member of the media I can take my cell phone out and use it discreetly any time - certainly to silently type and send a tweet slightly away from the crowd. The PGA Tour knows who the guy is, too.

I think the "anonymity" thing is a little game he plays, plus he's setting it up for a time when, if he doesn't want to travel so much, someone else can just take over. But c'mon, the guy tells you what color shirt he's wearing every time, walks around with Tiger when he's out there, etc. Everyone who is into golf even a little (at tournaments, I mean) knows who the guy is. This includes tournament hosts, the PGA Tour media people, etc.

Yeah, this is kind of what I thought, too.