Cavs apologize for 'insensitive' in-game video
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers issued an apology on Thursday for an “insensitive” in-game video played during Wednesday night’s playoff game that showed a man throwing a woman across a room for wearing a Chicago Bulls T-shirt.
“We ran a 1-minute in-arena video that was intended to be a humorous spoof on a popular commercial centered on a song and dance from the classic movie ‘Dirty Dancing,'” the Cavaliers said Thursday in a statement. “While the video was not intended to be offensive, it was a mistake to include content that made light of domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is a very serious matter and has no place in a parody video that plays in an entertainment venue. We sincerely apologize to those who have been affected by domestic violence for the obvious negative feelings caused by being exposed to this insensitive video.”
The video, shown during the Cavs’ 106-91 victory against Chicago, was shown on a large scoreboard spoofing a popular TV commercial in which a couple fall while attempting the famous lift from “Dirty Dancing.”
In the Cavs’ in-arena promotion, the male Cavs fan lifts his partner then tosses her over a sofa, saying: “Bulls fan? I didn’t know you were a Bulls fan.”
An announcer then says: “When it’s playoff basketball time, you have to be all-in. Don’t make the same mistake she made.”
Later, the woman is shown holding an ice pack on her head and saying, “Well, I’m all-in now,” a nod to Cleveland’s playoff motto.
“The Cavaliers organization has a strong and lengthy track record of supporting domestic violence-related causes and efforts,” the team said Thursday. “We will continue to proudly work with our regional partners at the Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center in support of their numerous programs to end domestic violence in our country once and for all.”
The ill-conceived video wasn’t the only promotion to backfire on the Cavs this week. The team also canceled plans to hand out 20,000 arm slings to show support to injured forward Kevin Love, who is out for the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery. Love attended Game 2 and was given a rousing ovation by Cleveland fans.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
