In today’s social media landscape, NFL fans are on X, formerly known as Twitter, quite a bit. They’re looking for game updates and the latest news around the league.
Even if they’re watching their favorite team play, those fans are turning to X for what those covering the game on-site are hearing and observing at the stadium.
Unfortunately, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles fans may not be able to get updates from those covering the respective teams Friday night — at least on X.
That’s because the app, used by 20 million people in Brazil, was banned by the Brazilian Supreme Court.
How will this impact NFL coverage during Friday night’s Packers-Eagles game in São Paulo?
Reason for X Ban and How It Impacts NFL Coverage
According to Bloomberg, X was banned by five judges on the Brazilian Supreme Court, who voted to shut down the platform in a virtual trial on Monday. This comes after judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the app suspended last Friday.
de Moraes, the top-court judge, is spearheading efforts to combat fake news and hate speech in Brazil. But de Moraes faces claims of overstepping his bounds by undermining free speech.
The article goes on to mention that fines will be handed out to those who don’t comply with the order by using a virtual private network, or VPN.
Sports Pro Media points out that the NFL is one of X’s biggest sports partners, and the league awarded the game to Brazil because of its strong social media presence.
Reporters covering both teams have weighed in on how they’re adapting to X being banned in Brazil and how they can still reach their audiences Friday night.
Eliot Shorr-Parks, a reporter for 94WIP Sports Radio in Philadelphia, already has plans to adjust to X being banned. He took to X on Sunday and told his fans they can follow him on Threads or Instagram.
No Twitter/X in Brazil so follow me on Threads or IG: https://t.co/vm2q8xD40n
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) September 1, 2024
Give Shorr-Parks credit for quickly pivoting and letting his audience know. That’s a reporter who is committed to his audience, especially one as passionate as Eagles fans.
He’s doing everything he can to adjust, despite the impact X’s ban in Brazil is having on his coverage.
“I’m doing the same work, but it isn’t reaching the same audience,” Shorr-Parks said. “The biggest part of my job is connecting to fans, and with Twitter gone, I’ve lost a big portion of being able to do that.”
Matt Schneidaman, who covers the Packers for The Athletic, says he is taking advantage of his outlet’s live blog to reach his fans.
All you people telling me to use a VPN didn’t tell me it would cost me $8,900. I’ll catch you on The Athletic’s live blog. https://t.co/1PaHSXFsHA pic.twitter.com/6O2eGezXkd
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 2, 2024
The $8,900 fine is for anyone in Brazil using a VPN after X was banned.
It’s amazing all of the other ways reporters can reach their audiences on social media. However, they, and the rest of us, are seeing the impact Brazil banning X is having on them as they prepare to cover the NFL’s first game in South America.
This is a unique opportunity for the NFL to showcase its product in Brazil, but those covering the game are having to overcome a major obstacle on Friday night.