The Ryder Cup is set to take place September 23rd through 28th at Gleaneagles in Scotland, and the tournament’s Fun Police have already put the kibosh on spectators uploading photos and video of the main event to social media:
Over 250,000 spectators are expected to witness the clash between America and Europe at Gleneagles, which culminates on Sept 26–28. The ground regulations warn ticketholders, who have paid up to £1,500 a day, that no audio or video capture is permitted and no still photography except on practice days.
The rules also state: “Images taken with a camera, mobile phone or other electronic device cannot be used for any purpose other than for private and domestic purposes. You must not sell, license, publish (including, without limitation, via Twitter or Facebook or any other social media site) or otherwise commercially exploit photographs.”
Now, outside of confiscating a quarter million cell phones, we’re not sure exactly how Ryder Cup officials plan on enforcing these rules, but their reason for issuing the decree is simple: BRANDING. And, INTEGRITY:
A spokesman for Ryder Cup Europe said: “The Ryder Cup is one of the world’s most recognized sporting events and as such we need to ensure that the brand, encompassing fair play, teamwork and camaraderie is protected at all times which means ensuring that images of the event are not used for monetary gain in a manner which may go against those principles.
First of all, posting “Look Ma, I’m at the Ryder Cup!” photos aren’t ruining any brand. And such photos certainly aren’t for any financial gain. Second, you’d think in the post-Tiger era (at least in terms of dominance), golf officials would embrace social media, much like its own athletes have. But the reality is golf is run by stodgy coots who wouldn’t know an app if it hit them in the face like an errant tee shot.
[Golf.com, via Uproxx]
