'Cheap': NBA team apologises after fan giveaway turns into PR disaster
Updated . First published at
The Charlotte Hornets were shamed into honouring a Christmas giveaway to a child at one of their games after details of the PR disaster were posted to social media.
During a timeout in the second quarter against the 76ers on Tuesday (AEDT) a young fan and his uncle walked onto the court to have the boy's Christmas wish list read aloud.
"Dear Santa Hugo," the game's MC read on behalf of the young fan.
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"I've been working hard in school all year and making sure my grades are all A's. I've also been working on my jump shot. But my jump shot in '2K' needs some work. I'd really love a PlayStation if you have one. PS: A PlayStation 5, not the one my dad used to play."
The team's mascot, Hugo the Hornet, then pulled the Playstation 5 from a sack and passed it down to the fan, who walked away with a huge smile.
However, that was not how the story ended.
According to one social media user, who attended the game, officials from the team took the gift back immediately after the cameras stopped rolling.
"You guys want to see a cheap sports organisation? In this video my best friend and his nephew get called onto court for a special segment where they gift the kid a PS5 publicly… w/cameras off they TOOK IT AWAY and gave him a jersey.
"Take a bow … crushed the kid."
The Hornets issued a statement not long after, confirming the story told on social media.
"During (Monday) night's game there was an on-court skit that missed the mark.
"The skit included bad decision-making and poor communication. Simply put, we turned the ball over and we apologise. We have reached out to the family and are committed to not only making it right but to exceeding expectations."
The team confirmed the child is receiving "a PS5 and (a) VIP experience for (a) future game."
