NBA team the Charlotte Hornets made a mistake recently by giving a young fan a PlayStation 5 console during a Christmas-themed halftime skit, only to take it away later. The team is now making amends by gifting the fan a PS5 he can keep this time.
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On December 16, during a basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Charlotte Hornets, young fans were brought onto the court to greet the cheerleaders and the team’s mascot. While on court, a woman read their Christmas letters to Santa and handed out gifts. One kid, who worked really hard to get good grades this year, wanted a PlayStation 5 console. And that’s what the kid got. You can see how happy he is in the video below. But that video also claims that after halftime, staff took away the PS5 and replaced it with a jersey.
Boston 25 explained that cheerleaders and other people involved in the halftime event were reportedly confused when staff took away the kid’s PS5 gift. Apparently, the child’s uncle, likely the adult in the grey and blue hoodie in the video above, knew ahead of time that the gift would be taken away and failed to share that info with his nephew.
As you might expect, a team worth billions cheaping out and taking away a kid’s Christmas gift after pretending to give it to him in front of cameras didn’t go over well online. People rightfully called out the team and its staff for the horrible prank, and within 24 hours the Hornets issued an apology.
On Tuesday, the team said its “on-court skit…missed the mark” and blamed it on “bad decision making and poor communication.”
“Simply put, we turned the ball over and we apologize. We have reached out to the family and are committed to not only making it right but to exceeding expectations,” said the team in a statement shared by reporter Nick Carboni.
“We will be providing the fan with the PS5 that he should have taken home last night along with a VIP experience to a future game. Our goal is and will remain to elevate the guest experience for every person that enters Spectrum Center, and to show our fans how much we appreciate their relentless support.”
And if you were wondering: The Hornets received karmic justice Monday night after taking away the kid’s PS5. The team went on to lose 121-108 to the Sixers.
Background of the Incident
The incident took place during a basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Charlotte Hornets on December 16. Young fans were invited onto the court to participate in a Christmas-themed halftime skit where they interacted with cheerleaders and the team’s mascot. One lucky kid received a PlayStation 5 as a gift, but the joy was short-lived as the console was taken away after the cameras stopped rolling.
Confusion and Apology
Boston 25 reported that there was confusion among the cheerleaders and other participants when the PS5 gift was abruptly taken back. It was later revealed that the child’s uncle, who was present during the event, knew beforehand that the gift would be confiscated but failed to inform his nephew. The team faced backlash online for the cruel prank and issued an apology within 24 hours.
Team’s Response and Resolution
The Charlotte Hornets admitted that the on-court skit was a misstep due to poor decision-making and communication. They expressed regret for the incident and promised to make amends by providing the fan with the promised PS5 console along with a VIP experience at a future game. The team emphasized its commitment to enhancing the guest experience at the Spectrum Center.
Karmic Justice
Interestingly, the Hornets faced a form of karmic justice as they lost the game to the Sixers after the controversial incident. This added an ironic twist to the story, highlighting the consequences of their actions.
Conclusion
The Charlotte Hornets’ ill-fated attempt at a holiday surprise for a young fan ended in disappointment and public outcry. However, their swift apology and efforts to rectify the situation demonstrate a willingness to take responsibility for their actions and make amends.
FAQs
Q: Why did the Charlotte Hornets take away the PS5 from the young fan?
A: The team made a regrettable decision to confiscate the PlayStation 5 gift after initially presenting it to the fan during a halftime skit.
Q: How did the Charlotte Hornets respond to the backlash?
A: The Hornets issued an apology, acknowledging their mistake and promising to provide the fan with the PS5 and a VIP experience at a future game.
Credit: kotaku.com
