The NFL is cracking down on the unauthorized use of game footage and highlight videos, with a tough new social media policy that could result in teams being fined up to $100,000.
ESPN reports that beginning with next week's games, teams will no longer be able to shoot video in their stadiums during games and post it on social media. They will also be banned from using live-streaming apps such as Periscope to stream video during games.
MORE: Week 5 power rankings
The new policy also prohibits teams from creating their own video using highlights from a televised game, then posting it to social media. That goes for the creation of highlight GIFs as well.
Teams face stiff penalties for violations of the new policy. First-time violations will result in a $25,000 fine, with second violations fined $50,000 and subsequent violations pegged at $100,000.
MORE: What's wrong with the NFL, according to fans
ESPN reports the move is a bid for the NFL to maintain tighter control of its copyrighted content. By having highlights run through the official team websites, it can avoid having unauthorized content spread across multiple social media channels.
The league has struggled in recent years to meet the challenges posed by social media. Most notably, in 2009 the NFL prohibited players from using Twitter and from posting updates on Facebook and other social-networking sites during games. More recently, in 2015 the Twitter accounts for Deadspin and SB Nation were suspended after the NFL requested action be taken because those accounts carried Vines and GIFs of game highlights.