Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky appeared at a Colorado GOP rally, upsetting the franchise
Professional sports franchises, like most businesses, do whatever they can to appeal to the most potential consumers possible. In most cases, this means that they shy away from making any statements or taking stands that could offend a sizable portion of their fan base. Few topics divide more than politics, and so teams typically reserve comments on social issues for special occasions in which a groundswell of support makes silence untenable. This phenomenon is certainly not unique to the NBA or other leagues, but it's apparent enough that any crossing of that line tends to stand out.
An official mascot appearing at an event for a state political party would seem to qualify. Rocky, the plush mountain lion who represents the Denver Nuggets, showed up alongside 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney and others at a rally for the Colorado Republican Committee and the party's various candidates for office this November. This tweet proves as much (via
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...rally--upsetting-the-franchise-013224757.html
Professional sports franchises, like most businesses, do whatever they can to appeal to the most potential consumers possible. In most cases, this means that they shy away from making any statements or taking stands that could offend a sizable portion of their fan base. Few topics divide more than politics, and so teams typically reserve comments on social issues for special occasions in which a groundswell of support makes silence untenable. This phenomenon is certainly not unique to the NBA or other leagues, but it's apparent enough that any crossing of that line tends to stand out.
An official mascot appearing at an event for a state political party would seem to qualify. Rocky, the plush mountain lion who represents the Denver Nuggets, showed up alongside 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney and others at a rally for the Colorado Republican Committee and the party's various candidates for office this November. This tweet proves as much (via
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...rally--upsetting-the-franchise-013224757.html
