Ochocinco Announces Social News Network

Chad Ochocinco announced the formation of the Ochocinco News Network (OCNN), a social network headed by Ochocinco that will aim to provide fans with inside information from the NFL. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Ochocinco Announces Social News Network

Posted on 24. Oct, 2009 by Collin Orcutt in NFL, Social Media, Sports Journalism

Looking for the latest insider, breaking news on the NFL? You may have to look no further than Chad Ochocinco. According to the Associated Press, Ochocinco plans to start his own social news network on Twitter. The venture, called the Ochocinco News Network, or OCNN, will utilize Ochocinco’s player contacts and aims to compete with the mainstream media. Says the AP: “The receiver plans to operate like a reporter, getting tips from players on other teams. He also might get other NFL players involved in his reports.”

On his Twitter feed earlier today, Johnson tweeted:

The question is, what will the NFL say? Already one of the strictest professional leagues (Ochocinco was fined a second time for wearing a non-white chinstrap), the NFL released a social networking policy focusing primarily on Twitter just this September.

There has been no response from the NFL so far, but it seems unlikely that Goodell and company will be in favor of the OCNN.

It’s doubtful coaches will approve either. As The Daily Philadelphian wrote:

Coaches don’t want players disseminating news. Could you imagine if an Eagles player updated an injury on Twitter? Andy Reid would have an stroke. Remember, he chastised the media for calling the team trainer and Stewart Bradley for injury news during the summer.

Either way, Ochocinco, who has just fewer than 300,000 Twitter followers, continues to be one of the most progressive athletes when it comes to the use of social media. As of an hour ago, he tweeted that he is looking now for a personal assistant to help handle his many endeavors.