ABC mistakenly hypes up Knicks-Cavaliers for Eastern Conference Finals Game 1
Awful Announcing • • sports
Key Points:
- The Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6, forcing a decisive Game 7 to determine who advances to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
- ABC and ESPN prepared promotional packages for the conference finals, creating separate promos featuring either the Pistons or Cavaliers, to be aired after Game 7 results.
- ABC affiliates across the country mistakenly aired a promo assuming the Cavaliers had already won and advanced, causing confusion among viewers.
- The error was widespread, affecting affiliates from Alabama to California, South Carolina, and Alaska, and is expected to be corrected promptly by ABC.
- With the Pistons favored in Game 7, a Cleveland win could spark conspiracy theories about the NBA's integrity following the premature promo mishap.