The NBA is set to introduce a new rule on in-game cell phone and social media use that will affect just about everyone involved with the teams on the court.

According to insider Ian Begley, the league, in partnership with the NBA Players Association, reportedly worked together on the revision, which states that players and coaches will be prohibited from using their phones from the start of the game until its conclusion. This policy will apply to both active and inactive players.

Why aren’t players allowed on their phones during NBA games?

The reason behind the rule, according to Begley, will be to make sure that eyes are on the games and not screens.

“The NBA is expected to communicate to teams an updated policy on cell phone and social media use that prohibits players and coaches from using their phones from tipoff until the end of the game, per SNY sources,” Begley published on SNY.tv.

According to Begley, the NBA is expected to issue a communication this week, reiterating the existing rule that bans players and coaches from using their phones to post on social media or share video or other information with game officials, media members, or basketball operations staff seated courtside from 45 minutes before tipoff until after postgame media duties are completed.

“The rule revision is intended, primarily, to keep players and coaches focused on team matters during games. The revision also is intended to bolster the integrity of the game as it relates to gambling”, he concluded.

Each team will, however, have a designated communication point of contact. In emergencies, that person can handle calls and text messages during games. Additionally, players and coaches are allowed to use their devices if a security issue arises or if a player has a medical treatment concern.

How strictly the rule will be enforced – and what any potential penalties will be for breaking it – have not been determined. It seems then, that we have to wait and see how things unfold when the NBA season finally gets underway on 22 October as Celtics face the Knicks. After that, the Lakers take on the Timberwolves.