By Chloe Scheller
The goal line isn’t the only line being crossed these days in NFL stadiums. With changes in technology have come accompanying threats, placing a growing burden on team officials to identify such threats and then act.
There is no better example of this than in the realm of technology, where teams and their security firms are increasingly monitoring fans posting to Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram in hopes of identifying potential problems, such as fans plotting to rush the field, or a threat to an NFL player or coach.
Citadel, a New York-based security agency, handles events for the NFL. Citadel looks through the Twitter and Instagram followers of a team or major player to monitor hashtags and other posts for any potential threats. If they come across a suspicious post a background check is performed and if needed, the security staff is made aware. “It’s just mind-blowing that you can, in a 10- or 15-minute search, follow some hashtags, you follow a trail and you can uncover all kinds of information,” said Yorio, managing director of Citadel.
Social media isn’t the only new tool used by NFL security to ensure a safe game day. Over time the NFL has seen changes in the types of security threats it sees. “Prior to 9/11, there was little thought given to security other than as it related to fan behavior and maintaining a no-fly zone over the stadium during games,” said Richard Thigpen, general counsel for the Carolina Panthers. “Security is now a major point of emphasis at all sports venues. Keeping up with the ever-evolving types of threats and identifying potential perpetrators is probably the toughest challenge.”
After September 11, 2001 the NFL put in motion a Task Force made up of league, club and stadium executives to provide suggestions on security matters in relation to fans, teams and stadiums. The NFL’s Best Practices is an all-inclusive assessment of stadium security which was created after 9/11 and has been updated every year since. As the only set of best practices certified as anti-terrorism technologies by the Department of Homeland Security, the NFL has been a leader in the sports industry for stadium security.
Implications of the New Bag Policy
One of these Best Practices is the new bag policy which is one of controversy among fans. In 2013, the NFL changed the size and type of bags permitted to bring into the stadium aimed to increase public safety and more efficiently allow fans to enter the stadium. Fans are now limited to bringing one clear plastic bag or freezer bag and one clutch or small purse both with size limitations. The clear bags are meant to be more easily searched and supports the Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something” awareness campaign that encourages the public to report suspicious behavior. The changes may have some feeling like they are standing in line for airport security. Others embrace the change with the shorter waits and the greater sense of safety that goes along with it.
One of the goals of the new clear bag policy is to prevent alcohol from being brought into the stadiums, a key concern of minimizing inebriated and potentially violent fans. “The crowd management staff acting as screeners at the gates or doors of the venue must be trained and motivated to spot the prohibited items. Identifying an overly intoxicated individual is only the first step,” said Dr. Robin Ammon of the University of South Dakota whose expertise lies in crowd management. “However, one major flaw in some crowd management plans is to simply eject the individual. Now they have placed an overly intoxicated individual (who in most cases became inebriated inside the facility) outside the venue who is left to fend for themselves. The level of liability is now magnified tremendously.”
Another potential security threat has taken to the air. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has paired with the NFL to create no-fly zones for planes and drones over and around the stadiums during game days including this past season’s Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Drones, otherwise known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are remotely controlled aircrafts which use software-controlled flight plans with GPS. Drones are often used for surveillance, photography, search and rescue, and weather monitoring. Used by military and hobbyists alike, the drones’ capabilities are expanding ever year. One of these new innovations is Amazon’s recent announcement to use drones to deliver orders through their future Amazon Prime Air service for those placed within 10 miles of a fulfillment center.
However, new threats follow the development of new technologies. Gil Fried, professor and chair of The Sport Management Department at the University of New Haven, weighed in on the FAA’s no-fly zone. ” I think it is a good start, but my big concern right now is with radio controlled planes and drones. A terrorist can pack a drone with explosives or anthrax and launch an attack from the safety of a car in the parking lot,” Fried said.
And no-fly zones aren’t the only NFL Best Practice that will need regular review and scrutiny. According to Fried, another potential future threat may be data theft. “I think data theft might be a big concern in the future. If people can scam Target, why can’t they scam a stadium and all the fans therein.” said Fried.
Unfortunately for the league and its franchises, the possibilities are limitless, placing a premium on identifying the bad guys before they can act.
