The Charlotte Hornets played an NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the early hours of Monday morning, and wanted to do something special for the Christmas season. That is why they chose a child to jump on the court with the mascot who would also receive a gift, but it ended up in controversy on social media.
Apparently, the child was given a PlayStation 5, but his joy at the gift was short-lived. The mascot and the organisers, when the cameras stopped rolling, took the console away from him and gave him a team shirt instead.
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A gift that ended up on social media
Alexei Philips, a Hornets fan, told WJZY-TV the story, noting that he took his 13-year-old nephew to the game without expecting what was going to happen. At the beginning of the game, a member of the team staff approached them and asked if they wanted to go down to the court with the mascot.
The video shows the boy approaching Hugo, the Hornets’ mascot, who is dressed as Santa Claus. There, he reads a supposed letter from the boy, in which he asks for a PlayStation 5 to practice his shooting in NBA 2K25. Then, a dancer brought the gift, a PS5 that the boy opens and celebrates with all his excitement.
However, this did not last long, as when the event was over and the cameras stopped rolling, another staff member took the gift away from him, giving him a team jersey in return: “It was very awkward, because the staff member had to make it clear that he was not joking.”
The Hornets apologized, gave him a PS5 and a VIP ticket
Luckily, this problem that happened last Monday has ended well for the boy. The Hornets, in response to all the commotion generated, ended up giving the young man a PlayStation 5 as promised, as well as a VIP experience.
Finally, everything has been easily resolved, but the tense situation has already escalated and reached media in different countries, as well as exploding on social networks.
