Cavs Issue Statement Regarding Tone-Deaf In-Game Promo Video

The Cleveland Cavaliers have issued a statement/apology related to an in-game promo that ran during Wednesday night’s playoff game against the Chicago Bulls.

The promo was a spoof of a United Health Care ad, and the hit 80’s film, “Dirty Dancing.” In it a couple are just about to reenact the famous scene where Johnny lifts Baby into the the air over his head. In the Cavs version, the woman is wearing an apron, which she rips off to reveal a Bulls t-shirt, her significant other tosses her to the side instead of catching her. The video then shows the woman with an ice pack on her head, apologizing for cheering for the wrong team.

Strangest thing of night: when videoscreen showed skit of a guy in Cavs gear throwing girlfriend across room until she removed Bulls gear.

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 7, 2015

Read the Cavs statement in full :

During a timeout at last night’s Cavaliers vs. Bulls playoff game at The Q in Cleveland, 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.’ 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 Cavaliers organization has a strong and lengthy track record of supporting domestic violence-related causes and efforts. 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.

Post edited May 7th.

Video via GQ