Hoax Safety Nets Post Sparks WNBA Controversy and Hate Speech
A hoax about safety nets for NBA games has sparked controversy and backlash, with some comments escalating to include hate speech. The misinformation, originating from a satire account, gained traction after being shared by prominent figures and echoed right-leaning talking points.
The joke post, suggesting safety nets for NBA games starting August 9, was shared by the basketball satire account. It was initially met with amusement, but things turned sour as some comments devolved into sexism, racism, and anti-L.G.B.T.Q. harassment.
The post gained significant reach when British media personality Piers Morgan shared it with his nearly nine million followers, believing it to be real. This amplified the misinformation, which aligned with popular right-leaning pundit talking points about the NBA. The false information led to accusations of humorlessness against the National Basketball Association.
The misinformation, which started as a prank, has caused upset and division. It highlights the dangers of sharing content without verification, even if it appears to be from a trusted source. The NBA has not commented on the incident.
