|
|
|
Wednesday, May 2, 2001
Fan says: 'An apology it was not'
Associated Press
|
PORTLAND, Ore. – Bob Whitsitt, general manager of the
Portland Trail Blazers, has offered an apology to a fan who was
ejected from Sunday's game for refusing to give up a sign
criticizing Whitsitt.
Katherine Topaz, 34, attended the playoff game against the Los
Angeles Lakers with her 8-year-old stepson and held up a sign that
read "Trade Whitsitt." The sign referred to the executive's
series of questionable personnel moves that backfired on the
Blazers this season.
Topaz was sitting in the 10th row during Game 3, and her sign
was in full view of Whitsitt, who was sitting next to owner Paul
Allen on the other side of the Rose Garden.
During halftime of the game, which the Blazers lost 99-86 to get
swept from the best-of-five series, a security guard asked her not
to show the sign. A second guard asked her to hand it over. When
she refused, she and her stepson, Will Abeles, were escorted out by
a group of guards.
News of their ejection outraged some fans and began a national
discussion about the Blazers' treatment of their fans.
A Blazers spokeswoman said Tuesday Whitsitt called Topaz to
apologize, offering to refund Topaz's ticket money.
But Topaz said Tuesday that Whitsitt said he was sorry she had
to miss the second half of the game and did not mention the
ejection.
"An apology it was not," she said.
Blazers' spokeswoman Sue Carpenter said Whitsitt "did apologize
for her being ejected from the building ... and said that the
building overreacted."
Whitsitt has said he did not see Topaz's sign and did not hear
of her ejection until the next day.
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
ALSO SEE
Blazers' fan ejected for her 'Trade Whitsitt' sign
Blazers hold off on changes, for now at least
|
|
