iFolloSports.com Social Media Rundown: NBA, Shaq & Burke

NBA - Twitter

This week, the NBA announced that the league's official Twitter handle (@NBA) will be stamped on all game balls, right under the “official game ball” text. The NBA has always been one of the most progressive major sports leagues, so it comes as no surprise that The Association would be on the cutting edge of this new wave of communication.

 “We have a young, tech-savvy fan base, this acknowledges our commitment to being part of the conversation,” explained Melissa Rosenthal Brenner, the league's senior vice president for digital media.

When factoring in all of their social media platforms, the NBA possesses roughly 660 million followers. It will be interesting to see how many other major sports organizations follow suit, by literally linking social media and in game equipment.

Shaquille O'Neal & Trey Burke – Social Media Lawsuit

Back in early 2014, NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal and Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke poked fun at a man named Jahmel Binion, via social media.  Binion has a rare genetic disorder called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, which causes facial abnormalities and an inability to sweat. The two athletes, along with rapper Waka Flocka Flame, would later make public apologies, which seemed to initially be accepted by Binion. Recently though, Binion took legal action against the three men, filing a lawsuit in Macomb County Circuit Court (MI), seeking more than $25,000 in damages. The suit claims that more than 8.4 million people viewed the emotionally distressful communication.  

Stay tuned…