By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-18 14:39:46 | Updated at 2024-12-18 17:52:23
3 hours ago
The Charlotte Hornets have been forced into damage control after it was revealed they took a PS5 away from a kid following an awkward mid-game segment - and they've now pledged to do right by the fan in an apology statement.
During the Hornets-Sixers game on Monday, the team invited several children on the court to receive gifts from the team's mascot, who was dressed as Santa.
However, the segment was actually meant to be a skit, meaning one young fan was forced to give back a PS5 after leaving the court with his uncle (instead receiving a jersey after).
A post with footage of the the ordeal from an X user named Adam Turner - who described himself as the best friend of the uncle - has received over four million views, and the team later fessed up to their mistake.
'During last night's game there was an on-court skit that missed the mark,' the team said in a statement, per TMZ. 'The skit included 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.'
'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.'
The young fan was thrilled to receive a PS5 but actually had to give it back afterwards
The Hornets admitted to messing up and promised to 'exceeding expectations' for the kid
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
Mail Sport has also reached out to the Hornets.
Turner later shared a text exchange with his friend, Alexei Phillips, who said that he and his nephew didn't know what was happening until 30 seconds before they stepped onto the court.
He added that someone whispered to him that the kids wouldn't be able to keep the gifts, though the kids were not told that.
Incredibly, Phillips said that the Hornets even tried to take away a Christmas-themed jersey from a young fan, who only received the gift after he started crying.
Charlotte ultimately lost to Philly 121-108.
