ESPN Apologizes for Airing Twin Towers Clip During Knicks Game
ESPN has issued a formal apology for airing a brief clip of the Twin Towers during the halftime show of Sunday’s NBA playoffs game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat.
ESPN has issued a formal apology for airing a brief clip of the Twin Towers during the halftime show of Sunday’s NBA playoffs game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat.
The incident occurred when the network cut back from a promotional segment featuring a beauty shot of the Statue of Liberty to its game coverage.
Although the intention was to showcase New York City landmarks, viewers noticed that the Twin Towers were visible at the bottom of the frame.
This caused an immediate backlash, with many expressing shock and dismay at the negligent use of such a sharp image.
In response, ESPN issued a statement apologizing for the mishap and acknowledging that an old stock image had been misused.
The network’s spokesman, Ben Cafardo, told the blog Awful Announcing, which was among the first to report the incident, “We mistakenly used an old stock image, and we apologize.”
ESPN also took steps to remove the offending clip from future broadcasts.
The Knicks ultimately lost the game 101-108 to the Heat, and Game 2 is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
Although the incident was unintentional, it serves as a reminder of the continued impact of the 9/11 attacks on the United States and the world and the need to approach such imagery with sensitivity and respect.
