In a recent game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Charlotte Hornets found themselves in hot water after a skit during the second-quarter break went awry.
The team’s mascot, Hugo, dressed as Santa Claus, handed a PlayStation 5 to a young fan, only to take it away once the cameras stopped rolling. The child was left upset, receiving a jersey instead.
The skit involved a child being brought onto the court to read a letter to Santa Claus, requesting a PS5. A cheerleader then appeared with a bag containing the console. However, once the cameras were off, a Hornets staff member took the PS5 away and handed the child a jersey instead.
“You guys want to see a cheap sports organization? In this video my best friend&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.”
You guys want to see a cheap sports organization?
In this video my best friend&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 @hornets… crushed the kid pic.twitter.com/mcj5hhsuM5
— USMNT_STAN (@StanUsmnt) December 17, 2024
The incident quickly went viral on social media, with fans and viewers criticizing the Hornets for the poorly executed skit. The backlash prompted the Hornets to issue a formal apology. In their statement, the organization acknowledged the mistake, calling it “bad decision making and poor communication”. They committed to making things right by providing the child with the PS5 and offering a VIP experience at a future game.
Statement from #Hornets on last night’s promotion.
They’re giving the kid a PS5 and VIP experience for future game. @wcnc pic.twitter.com/rbGW4sAIKB
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) December 17, 2024
Alright here it is- @JulianSadurTV all over this early&put together a nice piece for the QC News.
Credit to hornets for making it right & taking immediate action. Owning mistakes is a great thing and often organizations try to cover their tracks.
Link: https://t.co/CSOsJ4xzNo https://t.co/VKzsx38w5A pic.twitter.com/i4LRfIp7S4
— USMNT_STAN (@StanUsmnt) December 18, 2024
As you can imagine, NBA Twitter was furious at the Hornets… rightfully so. Here are some of the best reactions. What an absolutely horrible, yet absolutely preventable PR disaster for the franchise.
A billion dollar franchise can’t give a ps5 to a kid for Christmas. Absolutely shameful @hornets
— 🇫🇷3-1🇮🇹 (@FranceownItaly) December 17, 2024
Took the PS5 away because they knew it was more valuable than the entire 36 years of Charlotte Hornets history💀💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/yQWnTrFxyI
— I cast a spell like Quan Chi 🐘 (@jacketttreborn) December 18, 2024
If they gave my kid a PS5 then took it pic.twitter.com/em5eCPToqY
— Frizzy1511 🔰 (@RJFrizz11) December 17, 2024
Yo @hornets you guys couldn’t give away a PS5 to a kid during Holiday Season ?!?! No wonder you guys stinks 😷 pic.twitter.com/PUEL55AcQv
— George Tai (@George8644Tai) December 18, 2024
The Charlotte Hornets unveiled their new name and logo after stealing a kid’s PS5. @hornets pic.twitter.com/tOor3pO9TM
— Dr. Tommy Oliver (@GoGreenRangerGo) December 18, 2024
I know people are tired of Luigi jokes but if the multi billion dollar Hornets organization can find it in their hearts to give a guy who beat his wife and kids 75 mill guaranteed, they deserve worse than having to be shamed into giving a kid a ps5 after being pricks about it
— Satish 🇬🇾 (@MoonlightRamNYC) December 18, 2024
