The Charlotte Hornets have apologized for an in-game skit gone wrong where a young fan was promised a PlayStation 5 only to have it taken away off camera.
The incident unfolded during the second quarter of Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers when Hugo, the team’s mascot dressed as Santa Claus, brought a 13-year-old fan onto the court. After a letter to Santa requesting a PS5 was read aloud, a cheerleader presented the console, prompting cheers from the crowd and visible excitement from the boy.
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But the joy quickly evaporated when a Hornets staff member took the console back after the cameras stopped rolling and handed the boy a jersey instead, according to witnesses and a viral social media post.