Sharks coach talks tweets with the BBL responding

If you’re on Twitter and you followed @atibalyons around the 3rd of February, you would have been treated to something of an outburst from the Sheffield Sharks coach following his ejection in the Sharks 84-116 blow-out at the hands of the Newcastle Eagles in the first leg of the BBL Trophy semi-final and it seemed to be directed towards those in charge of the league.

I spoke to Chief Operations Officer Andy Webb about the incident and he informed me that although there isn’t anything specific within the regulations in relation to the (mis)use of social media , the BBL considers Twitter to be a public forum and as such, it is viewed in exactly the same way as if similar comments in any other form of printed material were made.

Webb advised that the BBL already have disciplinary measures in place for if anyone brings the league or the officers into disrepute or is detrimental in any way shape or form and the punishments include: penalty points, suspensions or fines. These apply to both players and coaches – of which Lyons is both.

When I asked Webb, who was gracious with his time, whether the Sharks player/coach/director was likely to be disciplined for his comments, he replied that he couldn’t comment as ‘there on-going disciplinary process in relation to events surrounding the game on the 3rd of February’.

I then asked about the recent statement released by the Sheffield Sharks where they said that the BBL would be introducing a policy on Social Media. Webb, however, wasn’t going to be drawn on the subject stating that he wasn’t willing to confirm or deny that the BBL were currently considering any amendment to their regulations.

Having spoken to the BBL on the issue, I thought it only fair to speak with the man at the centre of the Twitter controversy, Atiba Lyons:

Keith Firmin: What was the reason for the comments you made on Twitter following the clash with the Eagles on the 3rd February?

Atiba Lyons: General frustration. A lot of things have been going on this season here that have made things a little difficult. So frustration over guys being injured, guys in and out, visa troubles and from the onset of this season we’ve had our backs against the walls and then up against it. It kind of just built up on that night so that was all that was a case of.

KF: Looking back, do you think it was a sensible idea?

AL: “Probably not the most sensible idea in that some of the things were interpreted in a way that I didn’t mean for them to be. I generally don’t have any issues with anybody in the league especially as far as the board goes. I didn’t intend for people to take it in that manner.

“Certain things, definitely, are fine to put on Twitter I tink because one thing fans feel is that they’re not communicated enough with. I’m definitely not a chatterbox when you see me walking around so if I can engage my fans on Twitter, I’m more than happy to.”

KF: In what way were comments misconstrued?

AL: “I just think they were more put as a personal attack to individuals within the BBL and that wasn’t the case at all. It was just a general statement that built-up from frustration and I felt in the moment (that) we had a raw deal with some of those calls in that game so, there’s all that.

“But I’ve been on both sides of the coin and I don’t think it’s anything personal. It’s just one of those types of situations.”

KF: Have the BBL contacted you regarding the tweet comments?

AL: “I attended a board meeting the following Tuesday so I sat down with everybody and talked with them. We’ve had open dialogue about it and it’s been dealt with. It’s not that major of an issue, it’s just something we have to be aware of as coaches and directors and even players.”

KF: Are you looking to change your Twitter ways and tone down the honesty?

AL: “I’ve always felt like I have nothing to hide. I work as hard as I can for the Sheffield Sharks and the fans deserve honesty and open dialogue if I can but I tell them if I’m not going to answer certain things or talk about certain things. But if it’s something general, I’ll definitely address it in the most honest way possible.”

KF: Will you be disciplined by the Sheffield Sharks?

AL: “I just had dialogue with the other owners (Lyons is a co-owner) and there isn’t any type of reprimand in place.”

KF: And finally, will their be any social media related rules brought in at the Sharks?

AL: “We haven’t really addressed that to be honest with you. In the past we haven’t really had any issues, so we haven’t really had any need to address it. But we definitely support the BBL and whatever actions or whatever policies they want to put in place.”