Comments on: Keep The Contract Terms Away From Social Media

By: Majoring In The Minors…Hudson Valley Goes To The Ladies… « Sports Marketing and PR Roundup

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:04:29 +0000

[...] leading into Thursday’s NBA Draft…Darren Heitner’s blog had a good piece on how social media is being used more by players and agents…and in what could be another fun minor league promotion, Kodak announced it is halting the use of [...]

By: DarrenHeitner

DarrenHeitner — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:49:05 +0000

Thanks my man. And everyone go check out Brian's website. He makes
some slick golf clubs!

By: Brian Allman

Brian Allman — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:41:16 +0000

This is a great insight into the complicated world of negotiations. I think most importantly this is a new tactic that if well planned out could have immediate and immeasurable impact with an on-going negotiations AND that applies to both sides of the equation/discussion.

Darren, posts like this are what keep me coming back to your site. Keep up the good work.

Brian

By: Emmett Jones

Emmett Jones — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:33:14 +0000

I agree, it is very important that the agent use prudence when trying to gain leverage in negotiations. Unfortunately, I know every agent isn't guided by the same moral compass that guides the agents that work at Dynasty. That's why, for better or for worse, I see things like this happening in the future.

That's why I also think, for better or for worse, again not arguing whether its right or wrong, that we will see athletes talk about contracts at some point and at some point it will generate leverage…because social media allows the direct connection with the fans. You're going to pull more for the guy that responded to you about a contract dispute than the one who's dispute you just hear about from Mortensen.

By: DarrenHeitner

DarrenHeitner — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:25:23 +0000

Whether it should be this way or not, the revealing of information directly from the source or from a media outlet (ex: ESPN), is perceived differently by many, including professional franchises. It just looks bad when an athlete is tweeting about the terms of a contract offer, as opposed to when Mortensen has an inside scoop about it on a breaking news segment.

When negotiations come to an impasse, it is even more important that the agent is careful in how he proceeds to gain leverage. What you write on Twitter cannot be taken back (whereas on Facebook, you can click the Remove button). TV statements are recorded as well…but I do not necessarily condone those acts, either. It has to be judged on a case-by-case basis.

By: Emmett Jones

Emmett Jones — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:25:27 +0000

Although I don't completely agree with it, good post Darren. I don't really think that using social media as a leveraging point is any different than what's done now in stalled contract negotiations. Except now, its a reporter asking a player or an agent about why the deal isn't signed vs. the athlete tweeting about it themselves. (think JaMarcus Russell talking about different offers from the Raiders vs. Chris Mortensen giving out that same information). To me, its all still about insight, not necessarily about slant. The athlete opening up about information that may even already be public (because ESPN reported it), that's what creates the leverage…not necessarily saying that the Raiders should pay more money.

In any case, my article was based on using social media as a leveraging point in stalled negotiations (i.e. the athlete/team war has already begun), not during amiable talks, cause there would obviously be no reason to gain any leverage in a situation like that. When that war between the parties has begun, either side will do whatever they can to get a leg up. How does social media differ from an agent going on TV and saying that a team is being unfair with his player? Or telling a reporter you deserve X amount of money and then the reporter reports it on TV? It just seems like its information received from a 3rd party source vs. a 1st party source.

As far as the sponsorship potential, I would think/hope that sponsors would just broaden the scope of their morals clauses to include usages of social media. Any athlete could just as easily bad-mouth a company to the media as they could on twitter. Although it would behoove the agent to advise them against that (or the athlete should rely on their own common sense, I hope)

In any case, now that I think about it, this is a great article, because it made me think about my article more and my thoughts on the matter. Thanks for that