Fans are up in arms after the not-so-friendly Charlotte Hornets mascot, Hugo the Hornet, did a Christmas giveaway in front of fans, only to take the prized gift away when no one was watching.
The Hornets’ best Grinch impression began Monday night during a timeout in the second quarter against the 76ers when a kid and his uncle walked to midcourt and the boy’s Christmas wish list was read aloud.
“Dear Santa Hugo,” the game’s MC read on behalf of the young fan. “I’ve been working hard in school all year and making sure my grades are all A’s. I’ve also been working on my jump shot. But my jump shot in ‘2K’ needs some work. I’d really love a PlayStation if you have one. PS: A PlayStation 5, not the one my dad used to play.”
A gift bag then came forward as the mascot handed him a unopened PlayStation 5 box that shocked the young fan and put a huge smile on his face.
The happy story turned sour, as X user @StanUSmnt revealed the organization took the gift back immediately after giving it to the kid.
“You guys want to see a cheap sports organization? In this video my best friend&his nephew get called onto court for a special segment where they gift the kid a PS5 publicly… w/cameras off they TOOK IT AWAY and gave him a jersey. Take a bow. @hornets… crushed the kid,” the user wrote on X.
The accusation proved accurate, as the Hornets issued a statement confirming the story told on social media.
“During (Monday) night’s game there was an on-court skit that missed the mark,” the organization said in a statement. “The skit included bad decision-making and poor communication. Simply put, we turned the ball over and we apologize. We have reached out to the family and are committed to not only making it right but to exceeding expectations.”
In response, the family is receiving “a PS5 and (a) VIP experience for (a) future game.”
Charlotte went on to lose Monday’s game, 121-108.
The horrific idea underscores one of basketball’s worst teams and perhaps the organization as a whole.
The Hornets have the league’s second-worst win percentage in the NBA since 2000 (41.6 percent).
Charlotte is 7-29, the fifth-worst record in the NBA this year.
