Cashing In On Violence

I haven't written anything about the whole NBA riot episode and the subsequent suspensions of players because I really don't care. But I just went over to The Daily Recycler and watched the video of the episode. (Hat Tip to Baldilocks) As disgusting as the entire episode was, I am more disturbed by an NBA Commercial I saw tonight.

They were touting the up-coming Indiana Pacers game against another team I can't remember but I got the impression they were in first place. The ads said something like:

Can the shorthanded Pacers meet the challenge of the (insert team name)

For all its efforts at face saving by suspending a few players and making stern statements, the NBA has no compunction using the incident to try to boost ratings. Whatever respect they gained in the way in which they dealt with the situation they have lost it all in one 15 second commercial.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 06:51 PM | No Comments | Add Comment