New NBA Rule prohibits players using Twitter and Mobile phone during games

The NBA made a new social media guidelines for players. this rules prohibits players from using cell phones, PDAs and other electronic communications devices — and thus accessing Twitter, Facebook and similar social media sites. coaches and other team personnel involved in the game are also prohibited.

Communication devices and social media sites can’t be used from 45 minutes before game time until after players have finished their responsibilities after games. That includes halftime.

The said guideline didn’t specify penalties from violation of the rule thus encourage teams to create their own policies during team activities.

In March, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban received the NBA‘s first-ever fine for comments he made via his Twitter account when he was docked $25,000 after complaining about the referees’ refusal to call Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith for a technical foul following a clash between Smith and then-Mavericks guard Antoine Wright. That is believed to be the league’s only Twitter-related fine to date.

Many NBA player have their own twitter account and are followed by many. Some of these players are Cleveland Cavalier Shaquille O’neal and Miami Heat’s Dwayne Wade.

The NBA has more than 1.4 million followers on Twitter, and many more players are active on it.