This has been asked but I don't think there is a clear answer.
I'd love a timeline analysis, but I think the strange wording of the rules and the SOP of teams (see #3) makes it all muddled and more confusing in light of Goodell's original shock and severe penalty.
Here is a review of all the relevant rules/memos/etc that I'm aware of.
1. Page 105 of the Game Operations manual says: "No video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game." It later says for "coaching purposes" that "All video shooting locations must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead." I don't understand the distinction "for coaching purposes." What other purposes are there?
2. NFL VP Ray Anderson: "Video taping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches' booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game."
No mention of "coaching purposes." Says sidelines instead of field. Stands and mezzanine appear ok.
3. NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello: "It is not uncommon for visiting team video crews to request permission to shoot coaching video from both upper end zone positions...Teams typically shoot coaching video from one upper 50-yard line location and one upper end zone location, but there are no restrictions on shooting from both upper end zone positions as long as the opportunity is provided to both teams. No permission is needed from the league office."
Typically?! What is untypical and ok? I don't understand if this an exception to #1 and #2? If so, what other exceptions happen? So the GB video would have been fine if done with GB's permission in line as they give other teams? The Jets camera guy was caught in the mezzanine. Fine if he had permission?
I believe the in game use ideas come from this:
4. NFL Constitution & Bylaws, "Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping, or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic devices that might aid a team during the playing of a game."
Notice the last part "might aid a team during the playing of a game." It implies that game the taping is happening in.
5. Bill Bellichick. "We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress...My interpretation of a rule in the constitution and bylaws was incorrect.” Notice that he references #4 and not Anderson's memo (#2) or Operation Manual (#1)
although those two items were referenced in most media articles/stories.
I suspect that BB held that #2 is meaningless as since none of it was being used for that game, it didn't apply. I wish if that was case, it was stated more clearly. "I read this(#4) and thought we were fine. The league says I should have paid more attention to #2. Then the discussion would have focused more on the where and how of what is allowed and not the knee-jerk "They video-taped and cheated."
