Former UFC champion Conor McGregor sent the Miami Heat’s mascot to the hospital after a questionable and dangerous promotion during Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
McGregor went to mid-court Friday night during a time out to promote his new body spray, TIDL Sport, which is now a Heat sponsor.
During the announcement, the Heat’s mascot, Burnie, wandered over, sporting a pair of enormous boxing gloves. The two squared off, and McGregor hit Burnie with a vicious left hook, which dropped the mascot to the floor.
McGregor then moved in and hit the prone mascot again in the upper body. A group of people then pretended to fan Burnie before dragging him off the floor by his feet.
Conor McGregor KO'd the Heat mascot 😅 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/IRAKzuMKp2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 10, 2023
The Athletic‘s Sam Amick reported Saturday that the person who plays the mascot went to the ER for treatment after the incident. According to the report, he received pain medication, was sent home and is expected to make a full recovery.
The event was clearly a planned skit as part of McGregor’s promotion, although someone in the Heat’s front office should have stood up during the planning session and said, “You know, a lot could go wrong here.”
NBA fans agreed: This was not a good idea. They sent their well wishes to Burnie … and the poor soul behind the costume.
Not sure who in the Heat org thought it was a great idea to parade him out there in the first place 🤷♂️🤦♂️
— Mike (@j83out) June 10, 2023
Lawsuit for McGregor incoming
— 🅿️nuts (@tnuts_) June 10, 2023
Only KO Conor will ever get again
— Erk (@AyoErk) June 10, 2023
Mascots have it rough even with all that extra padding.
— Eric Hovland (@EricJHovland) June 10, 2023
I thought that first hit looked bad but wow
— ABB (@allballboston) June 10, 2023
I really have no idea why the Heat did this bit.
— Dave (@BamButler1322) June 10, 2023
There will be lawyers @AndrewBrandt
— Matthew F (@GVILLETARHEEL) June 10, 2023
[The Athletic; Photo Credit: ESPN]
