The NFL likes the interweb; the NCAA not so much

I found it interesting that on the same day that the Wall Street Journal runs an interview with Roger Goodell where he talks about simulcasting games on the web while they are being broadcast on TV that the NCAA handed out restrictive blogging guidelines.

The Wiz breaks down the blogging policy as giving the host institution final authority on whether a credential holder or credential entity is following policy, allows for only five blog entries per half, one at halftime and two in an overtime period of football and basketball games. And with further clarification, the new policy does allow reporters to "blog about the atmosphere, crowd and other details during a game but may not mention anything about game action."

Roger Goodell, other the other hand, gets it that it actually helps expand the exposure of his league.

WSJ: You are going to simulcast Sunday night games on the Internet this season through nfl.com and nbcsports.com. Could digital delivery cannibalize TV revenue?

Mr. Goodell: What we are finding with the various experiments going on -- whether it be the Olympics or what we hope [will happen] through our experience with NBC this season -- is that these digital media are adding to the broadcast audience. What we are looking for is to create more interest and become more successful on broadcast television.

And oh by the way, it will be an additional revenue source at some point and not a cannibalizing force, Mr. Myles Brand. Feel free to wake up at any point.

This reminds me of retail business unit owners in 1998 claiming that selling the same clothes online and in the stores would result in less overall sales. We see how that turned out.

So be careful bloggers, your press passes could be recalled. I assume Berry Tremel's press pass is safe.