Spying in Football
The New England Patriots, one of the two or three best teams in the last five years, have been accused of stealing signals from the other team.
The “Game Operations Manual” states that “no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game.” The manual states that “all video shooting locations must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead.” NFL security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from a New England video assistant on the Patriots’ sideline when it was suspected he was recording the Jets’ defensive signals. Taping any signals is prohibited. The toughest part usually is finding evidence to support an allegation.
I remember when the NFL changed the rules to allow a radio link from the quarterback’s helmet to the sidelines. A smart team could not only eavesdrop on the other team, but selectively jam the signal when it would be most critical. The rules said that if one team’s radio link didn’t work, the other team had to turn its off, but that’s a minor consideration if you know it’s coming.
Funny parody.
EDITED TO ADD (9/15): The team and coach both have been fined.
And this is a really good conversation on the topic.
EDITED TO ADD (9/18): Ed Felten comments.
Nick • September 13, 2007 8:29 AM
I’m actually shocked the Patriots were so bad at spying on opponents. I think it is safe to assume that the other NFL teams doing this do it the logical way with a person sitting in the stands with an effective zoom lens.
Clearly football teams need to devise a way of communicating securely, as hand signals and pieces of plastic covering their mouths isn’t keeping up with video surveillance.