Kotaku’s NOT Dead and NCAA Football’s NOT Back: Adventures in Re-reporting (VL125)

Rumors of both Kotaku’s death and NCAA Football’s rebirth have been greatly exaggerated.

What has been reported thus far (and why was it all over social media and the Internet)?

How does G/O Media and their actions against Deadspin affect the Kotaku story?

Why are folks (including professionals) inclined to see what they want to see, when the source material is otherwise there for the parsing?

What kernels of truth exist in each story?

And how does the nature of the Internet perpetuate this cycle?

ALWAYS READ THE SOURCE MATERIAL…in Virtual Legality.

#Kotaku #NCAA #FalseNarratives

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Discussed in this episode:

“Read the source material! Almost nothing in this story is true (which is self-evident if you read it).”

“Kotaku staff reprimanded after highlighting “atrocious ads”
Stevivor – October 30, 2019 – Steve Wright

“Kotaku, Deadspin, hit by punitive measures over advert protests”
Green Man Gaming – October 30, 2019 – Alex M

“The editorial firewall is crucial for the operation of a media outlet.”

“Folks, read the source material. The NCAA has not done anything.”

“Board of Governors starts process to enhance name, image and likeness opportunities”
NCAA Press Release – October 29, 2019

“NCAA prez calls name, image and likeness rights an 'existential threat' to college sports”
CBS Sports – September 25, 2019 – Dennis Dodd

“'NCAA Football' fans freaking out over potential return of beloved video game franchise”
Sporting News – October 30, 2019 – Zac Al-Khateeb

“Before today, EA had explored doing a college video game again, but couldn’t get far because no lawyer would sign off on it being worth the financial exposure.”

“You’re seeing re-reporting’s dark side in real time. People don’t often stop and check the source material when they should and instead just assume that the person before them got it right.”

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"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

Rick has practiced for more than a decade at some of the country's largest law firms, representing IT, software, video game, and other technology companies, as well as the individuals and institutions which fund them.

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

Any and all feedback is appreciated. Let us know what you think!

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FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

[HoegLaw]

We finally got Denard on the cover...in Virtual Legality.

[ickaicka]

I really liked this video, I don't think a lot of people realize how often reporting is borrowed from other sites and it's a very big flaw in how news is made. All it takes is one bad story that gets spread around enough...

[BlindRiott]

Well played as always Hoeg, though neither a fan of Kotaku or basketball I am nevertheless a tremendous fan of both, likeness-rights for players & primarily sourced accurate reporting.

Could you do us all a huge favor and just report all the news on every topic all of the time?

I believe in you!

[Flotx]

Don’t forget to mention you’re a corporate lawyer

[timytimeerased]

yeah took me a good 2 minutes of research to understand people were talking nonsense on Twitter. To be honest, Jason Shreier wasnt clear and made some "ominous" tweet about it, very vague.

[JustinGreene]

NCAA titles existed because publishers had 1 body to work with. The point of this change is barring the NCAA's ability to forbid college athletes from profiting from their own names, like with TV commercials or shoe deals. Video game titles fall smack in the middle of this, and I doubt EA or any business wants to deal with 1000s of entities, versus the NFLPA or the NBAPA.