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NFL Prohibits Teams from Using Bluesky for Social Media

The NFL Takes Action: New England Patriots Shut Down Bluesky Account

In a recent development, the New England Patriots received a directive from the NFL to shut down their Bluesky account due to the platform not being an approved social media channel. Patriots Vice President of Content, Fred Kirsch, addressed this situation during the January 16th episode of the Patriots Unfiltered podcast, where he confirmed that the team had a Bluesky account for a short period before the league intervened.

Understanding the NFL's Position on Social Media

In conversations, the NFL made it clear that while they acknowledged the existence of Bluesky, they don’t currently maintain a presence on it. As reported by Awful Announcing, the league only communicated its current stance to the Patriots, leaving team officials perplexed yet compliant.

Other Platforms Where the NFL Holds Presence

  • X (formerly Twitter): The NFL has a formal content partnership, prominently featuring the "NFL Portal" announced in October.
  • Reddit: The league also enjoys a content deal with this major platform.
  • Threads and Meta Platforms: The NFL maintains a robust presence on Threads and other platforms owned by Meta.

The Rise of Bluesky

Despite the NFL's reservations, Bluesky has been experiencing significant growth, nearing 29 million users, almost doubling its user base in just two months. This trend raises questions on whether the platform can garner enough traction to become a prominent player in the social media landscape.

The Future of NFL Teams on Bluesky

While the current stance towards Bluesky may be restrictive, Fred Kirsch assured fans that the Patriots are eager to engage with the platform as soon as it gains formal league approval. With the ongoing efforts from Bluesky to attract league participation, the future of NFL teams on this emerging platform could be quite promising.

Conclusion

As social media continues to evolve, the NFL's selective approach to approved platforms illustrates the importance of maintaining brand consistency and strategic partnerships. With growing platforms like Bluesky, the ongoing dialogue between teams and league officials may shape the future of digital engagement in professional sports.

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