The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was upset with fake news circulating on the social media platform X on Monday afternoon. Following an update on the situation regarding Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers, he took a shot at X’s owner, Elon Musk.
A few X accounts, like @MarinoNFL, posted on Monday afternoon that the 49ers agreed to trade Aiyuk to the 49ers.
BREAKING: The Steelers and 49ers have agreed to a trade that sends star receiver Brandon Aiyuk to Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/xaXupnaqge
— Cam Marino (@MarinoNFL) August 5, 2024
An update on San Francisco 49ers’ WR Brandon Aiyuk
The NFL Network‘s Pelissero and Mike Garafolo provided an update on where Aiyuk stands with the 49ers following the viral posts. They’re reporting that no deal is set in place. However, talks between the 49ers and Aiyuk have stalled, and multiple teams are in play for the star receiver.
Tom Pelissero was upset about fake news
Pelissero was visibly agitated by the false reports on X. He stated that a trade could happen at any time, even to the Steelers, but that would still not make the viral reports circulating on X true, as there was no deal in place when the claim was posted.
As Garafolo said, the situation with Aiyuk is complex. Aiyuk has made it clear this offseason he wouldn’t mind being traded to the Washington Commanders so he can pair up with his former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels. The team that trades for Aiyuk needs to be able to meet his compensation demands. Garafolo also hinted the Steelers are one of the teams interested in trading for Aiyuk.
Pelissero called out aggregators who post false information on X and buy a blue checkmark to help with credibility. After all, Pelissero said, people should tune into the NFL Network to hear all the news about the league they need to know. (One has to thank the NFL Network for their comprehensive coverage of the Sunday Ticket trial.)
Is Elon Musk’s X to blame for false reports?
Pelissero appeared to call out Musk for the site’s model, as he thinks aggregators post false information in the hopes of making money.
“So once again, maybe a trade happens, maybe an hour, in a day, a week from now, but it doesn’t mean the fake Tweet that you put out already is ever going to be right. So everybody can pull those down now, but you won’t cause you want to get that little check from Elon at the end of the month,” Pelisero said.
No, Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t traded this afternoon.
Yes, there are signs that could change as the saga continues in San Francisco. @MikeGarafolo and I had some things to say about it on The Insiders on @nflnetwork: pic.twitter.com/DHN97yoA78
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 5, 2024
Pelissero is correct that some people on X abuse the platform for their gain. It’s a problem that X needs to address, especially in an election year. Unfortunately, those aggregators on X are worried about feeding the system that keeps money in their pockets.
It’s kind of like how the NFL Network decides to cover the Sunday Ticket trial.
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