Golf Reporter Claims Periscope Broadcast From San Francisco Got Her Tour Privileges Revoked
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - A golf reporter and writer had her media credential pulled by the PGA Tour after using Twitter's live-streaming app Periscope during a practice round at the World Golf Championship Match Play event at Harding Park in San Francisco this week.
Stephanie Wei, who currently works as a reporter for Fox International Channels and maintains her website, "Wei Under Par," tweeted on Thursday that the PGA Tour is revoking her credentials for the remainder of the season because she used Periscope during a practice round Monday.
The @PGATOUR is revoking my credentials for rest of season because I used @periscopeco on Monday. Feels personal. #crimedoesntfitpunishment
— Stephanie Wei (@StephanieWei) April 30, 2015
Wei said she was testing it out on the range and followed a group "because I thought it would be interesting and [would] spread fanfare for the Tour."
The PGA Tour had this response Friday morning via email. "This wasn't a suspension due to an isolated incident on Monday, but rather a history of violations of our media regulations, of which Stephanie had been made aware of throughout the process. Should she choose to reapply for credentials, we will evaluate her application after the conclusion of the 2014-15 PGA TOUR season," said Joel Schuchmann, Senior Director of Communications for the PGA Tour.
Schuchmann did not specify what other violations were factored into the decision.
Wei said she's received a number of supportive messages since she revealed the PGA's decision.
But more importantly, thanks everyone for their support. It truly means more to me than I can express. #silverlining
— Stephanie Wei (@StephanieWei) May 1, 2015
Among her most vocal backers is Sports Illustrated golf reporter Alan Shipnuck:
No scribe has been to more events than @StephanieWei the last few years. Her passion/energy is unsurpassed. And now they've squashed her.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) May 1, 2015
There's tumbleweed blowing through most tournament press rooms these days. The Tour should be *begging* for any kind of coverage.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) May 1, 2015
Professional leagues are being forced to quickly develop policy for new apps like Periscope and Meerkat, which allow any user to provide an instant live stream from their smart phone, potentially undermining the value of live broadcasts. Major League Baseball has said that they won't ban fans from using such products. On Thursday, the NFL allowed journalists to live stream the annual amateur draft.
The PGA Tour has not come out with an official policy as yet, but the tour's commissioner was quoted earlier this week as saying "we're looking at it."