“Hard Knocks” Hackerproof (Sort Of)
August 4th, 2017
Fears are calmed.
Joe noticed quite a few Bucs fans were unnerved after reading Joe’s story this morning that described hackers accessing HBO content and threatening to release yet-to-be broadcast shows.
Joe wondered if the hackers might get their mitts on raw footage of “Hard Knocks” and upload that (which Joe would love to watch).
(Background: For the Rip Van Winkles of the world, the Bucs will be featured on “Hard Knocks” this summer, the NFL Films-produced reality series. The season premiere is Tuesday.)
Some of Joe’s readers freaked believing if the hackers released raw footage, that all sorts of confidential Bucs info would be exposed as a result, giving opponents a competitive advantage.
Well, the readers who got paranoid aren’t the only ones.
A trusted Bucs executive read the same story this morning and, apparently, some Bucs types panicked thinking hackers may have gained access to sensitive Bucs information. A high-level Bucs contact reached out to Joe just after training camp practice this morning to tell Joe that after phone calls to both HBO and NFL Films today, the Bucs were assured the hackers in question did not and cannot grab any “Hard Knocks” raw footage.
Joe was told that since NFL Films produces the show, all raw footage is in the hands of NFL Films and not HBO. The only “Hard Knocks” footage HBO has access to is the final cut of each episode, which is sent to HBO on Tuesdays of each week during the series.
The only way hackers could have access to “Hard Knocks” raw footage is if they tapped into NFL Films’ computer database.
The Bucs believe, after speaking with HBO and NFL Films honchos, that the hackers are much more interested in big fish items like “Game of Thrones.”
August 4th, 2017 at 11:41 am
Lol, you guys are funny.
August 4th, 2017 at 11:46 am
Apparently, the Bucs weren’t laughing.
August 4th, 2017 at 11:47 am
If I were HBO, I would be more concerned with GOT leakage. To be honest, even that doesn’t matter anymore. People who watch through “alternate means” are already doing so and this leak means nothing.
August 4th, 2017 at 11:52 am
Im not surprised.
August 4th, 2017 at 11:55 am
The minute the leagues newest rock stars are slated we have these type of issues. Not surprised. Everyone will soon want in on this action.
August 4th, 2017 at 12:51 pm
So if Ed Shereen (sp?) can make a cameo on GOT, I want to see Joe Hawley or Ali ‘Hodor’ Marpet do a little spot on the show too.. HBO, I’m looking at you
August 4th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
This worried me all morning. I know I need a life. Thanks for the clarity Joe!
August 4th, 2017 at 2:54 pm
Thank goodness the NFL has their iron fist thoroughly resting upon the throat of every operation involving “the shield.”
@Joe, On a side note, just for sh!ts & giggles, any word on where the hackers might have hailed from? You know, Russia, N Korea, New England? Would never put anything past Bellicheck, you don’t get to be the best by leaving stones un-turned.
August 4th, 2017 at 3:03 pm
@B4L79
Obviously it’s a 400 lb. man sitting on his bed.
August 4th, 2017 at 5:54 pm
Russian hackers trying to hack the Bucs to give an advantage to opponents. If recent history is an indicator, the Bucs could be in trouble.
August 7th, 2017 at 3:40 pm
The leaked Game of Thrones episode wasn’t part of the HBO Hack. Star India leaked it on accident.