Video Taping is LEGAL except for filming locations prohibited by the NFL!!!

by JohnG
(New York, NY)

Just read the rules regarding video taping. It is perfectly LEGAL which is why every team does it. The NFL does not want the team that is taping to use the video collected during the game that is being played. It's only for future use. That's what the NFL means by stating the filming location cannot be accessible to team staff members during the game being filmed. You can only use still photos during the game.

Memo from Ray Anderson, NFL head of football operations, to head coaches and GMs on Sep 6, 2006 said: 'Video taping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent’s offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches’ booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game.' Prior to this memo, it was legal to video tape on the field in areas that were accessible to team staff members. This is the change to the rules that the Patriots violated during their season opener in Sep 2007. Since all of the Patriots Superbowls were won prior to Sep 6, 2006, I cannot understand why those Superbowl victories would ever be in question.

In short, if your video shooting location is enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead and is not accessible to team staff members during the game, you are perfectly LEGAL in doing so.