The Charlotte Hornets have come under fire after a young fan who participated in an on-court skit during a recent game was reportedly tricked out of receiving a new video game console. According to a post online, the team’s mascot handed the fan a bag containing a PS5, but behind the scenes, the team took the gift back and instead gave the young fan a jersey.
The skit, which took place during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers, featured the team’s mascot reading a letter to Santa on behalf of the fan, who had asked for a PS5. The fan was visibly excited as he walked off the court with the gift, but it appears that the team did not intend to give him the console.
The Hornets have since issued an apology for the incident, stating that the skit “missed the mark” due to “bad decision making and poor communication.” The team has reached out to the fan’s family and has committed to making things right, promising to exceed expectations.
As part of the apology, the team will give the fan a video game console and a “VIP experience” at another game. The team’s goal is to “elevate the guest experience for every person that enters Spectrum Center and to show our fans how much we appreciate their relentless support.”