Darren Rovell Got All Worked Up Over a USA Today Photograph
By Liam McKeone
In news that is not entirely surprising, Darren Rovell got worked up on Twitter last night over a photograph.
Rovell tweeted two pictures of the seats at Staples Center ahead of the first Lakers game following the Kobe Bryant tragedy. Rovell did not take the photo, and credited the USA Today photographer who did, Sandy Hooper. Hooper told him, in no uncertain terms, that if he wanted to use their pictures, he should subscribe to the service or simply retweet Hooper. Rovell did not take kindly to this suggestion. Here's the initial tweet and following exchange:
He did Sandy, He did.. pic.twitter.com/KMJRWOoQNQ
— Patrick Highley (@TheRealHighley) January 31, 2020
Wait are you serious? You want me to delete it? Would be glad to. Our organization licensed USA Today photos but they weren’t good enough so we are now with Getty.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 31, 2020
And if you post your images on twitter, no one is “stealing” them as long as they give you credit. If you don’t want your images “stolen,” then don’t post them. Only sell them.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 31, 2020
Rovell did eventually take the tweet down, but didn't miss the opportunity to let Hooper know about it.
I have taken my tweet down. First photog I’ve ever given credit to who has asked for that. Awful way to do business. And of a T-shirt set up that could have been taken by anyone.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 31, 2020
Rovell was not done, continuing his campaign over the perceived slight by pointing out to Hooper that plenty of other people were using the photo.
@SandyHooper are you aware the Lakers are letting people take pictures of the shirts? You should go after them.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 31, 2020
@SandyHooper this is a good picture. Not your garbage. I retweeted it. I deleted your picture. pic.twitter.com/CdCar9PrrM
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 1, 2020
Darren Rovell on another meaningless Twitter crusade? Say it ain't so.