*this is not the photo of the impostorLast week, more than 7500 fans (a very good number for a D-League game) of the NBA D-League team Utah Flash went to the team's home opener, hoping to see Michael Jordan play one-on-one with former Utah Jazz player Bryon Russell. When the supposed match was about to start at halftime, fans realized that they had just been duped, as they saw a Michael Jordan impostor enter the court. A rain of boos followed. Some left the arena and did not even bother to finish the game.
The elaborate scheme was planned by Utah Flash's owner, Brandt Andersen. A few days leading up to the game, he spread rumors that the Utah Flash's home opener would feature Jordan and Russell in a game of one-on-one. He then hired a Michael Jordan look-alike (even accompanied by bodyguards!) to go around town, hoping to create buzz. And buzz he did create. Numerous Jordan sightings were reported over the radio and the Internet. A video of the Jordan look-alike was even posted on Youtube. All of this led to people buying tickets to the game.
The Utah Flash owner claims that this was merely done in fun and that he expected that the hoax would be uncovered soon enough as the imposter was only 6'1 tall. Seeing that the fans did not get the joke, he offered to refund the tickets of the people who attended the game.
Anderson clearly underestimated the effectiveness of viral media. Given the ease of communication nowadays (especially through the Internet), it may even just take a single sighting or video to spark a rumor. Imagine a single person emailing his friends, ''Michael Jordan is here! I saw him eating at xxx, and here's proof'', while providing the corresponding Youtube link. That email could easily be forwarded multiple times to different lists of contacts in a matter of minutes. The effect is further amplified by the fact that most people just absorb all the information they come across without being critical as to its source and authenticity. And ''most people'', would definitely include me, as I KNOW I'll be buying that ticket if you told me Jordan would be playing! Good thing I don't live in Utah!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4724195
http://dleagueutah.blogspot.com/2009/12/mj-vs-b-russ-challenge-didnt-go-like.html - This is the Blog of the said team owner. See the comments for the fan backlash!
Monch Bacani
02-01003
4th entry
1 comment:
purely bad taste on the Utah Flash owner. but still, even bad publicity garnered some sort of publicity for the team. before this news, I haven't even heard of this team. but now, well, in the next hour or so, I will remember them.
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