If you checked your feed Thursday morning, you likely saw a clip: The Washington Wizards faced backlash over an April Fool’s joke during Wednesday night’s 153-131 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The internet was quick to pull out the pitchforks, but the team has officially cleared the air: Nobody was actually tricked out of $10,000.
The Setup
During a halftime promotion, a fan was brought onto the court to attempt a blindfolded half-court shot for a chance to win a cool $10K. The fan hurled the ball toward the hoop, but it went into the stands, resulting in a clear airball.
However, instead of the usual groan from the crowd, the arena erupted. The siren blared, the PA announcer screamed in excitement, and the mascot and performance team rushed the court to hoist the “winner” into the air. When the jumbotron replayed the missed shot, the collective internet groaned, assuming a loyal fan of a 17-win team had just been cruelly humiliated for the sake of a gag.
The Backlash and The Apology
The viral video immediately sparked outrage. Critics across social media slammed the franchise, calling it a tasteless way to treat a fan who paid hard-earned money to support a struggling team.
In response to criticism, the Wizards organization released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday to clarify the situation and apologize, explaining that the incident was pre-planned.
“We apologize for last night’s April Fools’ joke that left many wondering if we had misled a fan. The skit involving our mascot and other members of our performance team was scripted and intended to celebrate the day. All participants were in on the joke, but we missed the mark. Our fans are our priority, and we continue to be committed to providing a positive experience to all who attend our games.”
No Harm, No Foul
The key takeaway here is that the “unsuspecting fan” was entirely in on the bit. It was a pre-planned, scripted skit meant to play into the April 1st shenanigans. While the execution definitely “missed the mark” with audiences watching at home who lacked the context, no actual dreams of a $10,000 payday were crushed.
Plus, the participant didn’t walk away empty-handed. For playing his part in the viral stunt, the fan reportedly received an autographed jersey and courtside tickets for a game next season.
Although the joke was not well received by everyone, the discussion has quieted. Attention now shifts to the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery and the team’s continued rebuild.
