Cleveland Cavaliers spoof video sparks Twitter backlash
The Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 2 of their semifinal playoff series with the Chicago Bulls but it seems their PR team may have lost some fans.
During the game, the organization ran an in-arena promotional video showing a male Cavs fan and his girlfriend doing a "Dirty Dancing" routine. But when the man sees she is wearing a Bulls t-shirt, he refuses to catch her prone body and tosses her to the ground.
The video is a spoof of this United Health Care ad - but some, including Bleacher Report writer Ethan Skolnick, didn't find the Cavs' attempt at humor funny.
On Thursday the team apologized for the video.
"While the video was not intended to be offensive, it was a mistake to include content that made light of domestic violence," the Cavaliers said in a statement. "Domestic violence is a very serious matter and has no place in a parody video that plays in an entertainment venue."
Didn't mean to start firestorm. Thought video was tone deaf. Don't think anyone should b fired. Just think it should have been thought thru.
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 7, 2015This was in-game video RT @FearTheSword: I see the spoof....... BUT WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA https://t.co/PhUG2cuUN9
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 7, 2015While understanding now it was parody, & while Cavs in-house does much creative/funny stuff, don't think it was great judgment in climate.
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 7, 2015@HPbasketball @EthanJSkolnick It was a play on a dirty dancing scene but instead of catching her, he slams her as she leaps to him (cont)
— Nubyjas Wilborn (@nwilborn19) May 7, 2015Nobody is calling for a boycott of the Cavs, champ, all we said was just be more aware. Nothing more. https://t.co/YgnBME0Raj
— Nubyjas Wilborn (@nwilborn19) May 7, 2015The Cavs marketing department was already raising eyebrows for its plan to give away 20,000 arm slings to fans as a way to pay tribute to their injured star Kevin Love. That ill-conceived promotion was scuttled but somehow this video got the green light.