The Charlotte Hornets were set to spread holiday cheer during Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers with a skit that ended in embarrassment. A young fan, Jack, was gifted a PlayStation 5 by the team’s mascot Hugo dressed as Santa Claus. However, once the cameras stopped rolling, the Hornets took the gift back and gave Jack a jersey instead.
According to Alexei Phillips, a season ticket holder who attended the game with his 13-year-old nephew, the family was approached by a staff member and asked to participate in the skit. Phillips said they were told that if they didn’t keep what they got, they would get a jersey later. However, no one explained this to Jack before he was handed the PS5.
When Jack took off camera, everyone assumed he had received his gift. The team’s dancers and staff members even congratulated him on social media, thinking it was real. But when the mascot took back the PS5, everyone was shocked.
The Hornets released a statement apologizing for the mishap and promising to make things right with Jack and his family. They are providing him with a new PS5 and a VIP experience at a future game.
Source: https://www.qcnews.com/charlotte/charlotte-hornets-apologize-after-ps5-taken-from-boy-after-on-court-giveaway