The Charlotte Hornets are facing backlash this week after a controversial incident involving a young fan. During a halftime event, the team gave away a PlayStation 5 to a lucky kid, but allegedly took the prize back off-camera, leaving the child with only a jersey. After the story gained attention, the Hornets issued an apology, explaining their poor execution of the event and promising to make amends.
“In last night’s game, an on-court skit did not go as planned. There were poor decisions and miscommunication involved,” the Hornets said in a statement. “In short, we made a mistake, and we apologize. We have reached out to the family and are committed to making it right, going above and beyond. We will be providing the fan with the PS5 that he should have received, along with a VIP experience at a future game. Our goal remains to enhance the experience for everyone at Spectrum Center and show our fans how much we value their support.”
As a small-market team, the Hornets typically fly under the radar, but this incident quickly went viral, with fans nationwide sharing their thoughts.
“How is this a ‘skit’ when the punchline is ‘just kidding, here’s a $25 hoodie’—that’s a terrible punchline,” one user commented on X.
Taking back a prize that was legitimately won by a child was a poor decision, and this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Some recalled a similar incident with the Sacramento Kings during a halftime event.
“At least they took it away off-camera, unlike the Timberwolves with this kid,” another fan wrote, referencing a similar viral moment.
While the exact details are unclear, some people suspect the Hornets planned the PS5 swap and only apologized after being caught.
“Absolutely disgusting. Only apologized because they got caught,” one person tweeted.
The Hornets, already one of the NBA’s underperforming teams, have now given fans another reason to criticize them.
“Hornets continue to be the cheapest organization in pro sports,” a fan wrote.
Although the situation has damaged the Hornets’ reputation, the team deserves some credit for attempting to make things right. It will take time to rebuild their image, but hopefully, some success on the court will help restore their standing with fans.
Currently 13th in the Eastern Conference, the Hornets are once again headed to the lottery, but they still have a dedicated fan base that supports them at every home game. The team needs to make good on their promises to these fans, who haven’t had much to celebrate on the court.
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