The incident sparks outrage on social media

The Charlotte Hornets have come under fire for an on-court skit that ended with a 13-year-old fan losing a PlayStation 5 gifted to him during the event. The NBA team has since apologized, calling the incident a case of “poor communication and bad decision-making.”

What happened during the game?

The incident unfolded on December 16 during the Hornets’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. A viral post by social media user Adam Turner detailed the event, showing the young fan meeting Hornets mascot Hugo, dressed as Santa Claus, and receiving a PS5 in front of the cheering crowd.

However, according to Turner’s post, once the cameras were off, the mascot took back the $500 gaming console and handed the child a jersey instead. The sudden reversal led to widespread backlash online.

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Public outrage over emotional whiplash

Reactions to the incident were swift and critical. One user commented: “It’s so crazy to have the new-in-box PS5 on hand, give it to a child, and then take it away, all like a week before Christmas. Like, the emotional whiplash for the kid has got to be so insane.” Another said: “This is either the most embarrassing and pathetic thing the Hornets organization has ever done… or there’s an employee that really needs to reevaluate their life choices.”

Hornets issue an apology

The following day, the Charlotte Hornets released a statement to Queens City News acknowledging their mistake. “During last 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 apologize,” the statement read.

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The team also confirmed that they had reached out to the fan and would be providing him with the PS5, along with additional gifts. “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 Hornets added. “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.”

Family’s perspective on the incident

Hornets season ticket holder Alexei Phillips, the boy’s uncle, identified the fan as his nephew, Jack. Phillips recounted how the family was approached by Hornets staff before the skit and agreed to participate without fully understanding the details. “They just said they’re not going to keep what they get, however, they’re going to get a jersey afterward,” Phillips said.

Phillips described the confusion Jack felt when the PS5 was taken from him off-camera, especially after being congratulated by dancers and cheerleaders at the stadium. “There was even a Hornets dancer who actually gave him the PS5… she starts to pack it up for him in the bag,” Phillips said.

The situation turned awkward backstage when a Charlotte Hornets staff member insisted on taking back the console. “Everybody thinks he’s joking because nobody would think he’d be taking the PS5 from the kid,” Phillips explained. Jack was ultimately left disappointed until the team’s apology and promise to make amends.

Hornets pledge to learn from mistake

While the incident has left a blemish on the Hornets’ reputation, the organization’s swift acknowledgment of the error and efforts to rectify it highlight their commitment to fan satisfaction. The team’s assurance that they will provide the promised PS5 and VIP experience aims to mend the situation and restore goodwill among their supporters.