The Charlotte Hornets have issued an apology for taking away a PlayStation 5 online game console from a 13-year-old fan after it was gifted to him throughout a skit on the basketball court docket.

The incident occurred on Monday (December 16) through the NBA staff’s recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers on the Spectrum Middle in Charlotte, North Carolina. In a viral X/Twitter submit shared by person Adam Turner, a 13-year-old fan was launched to Hornets mascot Hugo — dressed as Santa Claus — and was gifted the PS5, because the interplay was proven on the jumbotron.

Nevertheless, Turner claimed in his submit that after the cameras had been off, the Hornets mascot took away the $500 gaming system from the younger fan and gave him a jersey as an alternative, sparking viral outrage on social media.

“It’s so loopy to have the new-in-box PS5 available, give it to a baby, after which take it away, all like every week earlier than Christmas. just like the emotional whiplash for the child has received to be so insane,” one individual wrote.

“That is both probably the most embarrassing and pathetic factor the Hornets group has ever carried out (spectacular feat when you think about the on-court product they provide) or there’s an worker that basically must reevaluate their life selections,” one other posted.

The Charlotte Hornets addressed the incident in an announcement to Queens Metropolis Information the next day, claiming that what occurred on the court docket was meant to be a skit.

“Throughout final night time’s recreation, there was an on-court skit that missed the mark. The skit included dangerous resolution making and poor communication,” the assertion learn on Tuesday (December 17). “Merely put, we turned the ball over and we apologize.”

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The NBA staff additionally mentioned they’ve since reached out to the 13-year-old fan and can be giving him a couple of items in return.

“We can be offering the fan with the PS5 that he ought to have taken residence final night time together with a VIP expertise to a future recreation,” the assertion continued. “Our aim is and can stay to raise the visitor expertise for each person who enters Spectrum Middle, and to point out our followers how a lot we recognize their relentless assist.”

Hornets season ticket holder Alexei Phillips informed Queens Metropolis Information that his nephew Jack was given the PS5, earlier than it was taken away from him on the court docket.

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Phillips defined that previous to the incident, Hornets workers had requested Jack and his household in the event that they needed to be on the court docket with Hugo the mascot. His household agreed, however Phillips mentioned he didn’t understand what was taking place till proper earlier than his nephew stepped on the court docket.

“They simply mentioned they’re not going to maintain what they get, nevertheless, they’re going to get a jersey afterward,” Phillips defined.

The Hornets fan mentioned he didn’t have the prospect to inform his nephew that he wouldn’t be holding the reward. Jack was confused when the PS5 was taken from him off-camera, particularly because the dancers and cheerleaders on the stadium had congratulated him on receiving the prize.

“There was even a Hornets dancer who really gave him the PS5… she begins to pack it up for him within the bag,” Phillips recalled.

The ticketholder mentioned it wasn’t till they had been “backstage” when the identical Hornets worker who initially approached them had requested to remove the PlayStation console.

“Everyone thinks he’s joking as a result of no person would assume he’d be taking the PS5 from the child,” Phillips mentioned, noting that issues “received fairly awkward” when Jack realized he wasn’t holding the online game system on the time.