The Clip Joint & The Public Eye

As the General Manager and Public Relations rep for the team, personnel image is an important part of this franchise. Our work in the community and "clean" public image is something that this teams takes pride in. On occasion however, an incident arises that must be addressed in the media to curtail any negative publicity for the team.

One of the more infamous situations surrounded around former Clip Joint member George Kambanis. If you may remember George missed significant time due to hand injury suffered in a bar fight, hence why George is a basketball player and not a MMA fighter. A public apology was issued by George and the team and the matter faded within a week.

This past weekend members of the Clip Joint patronized a local bar in the downtown Bethesda area. The team's official stance on public gathering is that it is encouraged, but in an cautionary manner. As a part of the orientation process for new team members is a workshop on public outings. In this workshop "nightlife" is major topic covered. Issues that are discussed are: how to spot groupies, avoiding "making it rain", injury prevention, hangovers, photography and video (we do not condone Ray J type behavior), holding your liquor, paternity testing, child support, and Kobe Bryant.

During this weekend events it is alleged that the DJ made it very well publicized that "the Clip Joint is in the building," and taunted less successful franchises whose team members happened to be in the building. The teams official stance on this is that we do not feel responsible for comments made by a DJ who is obviously a loyal fan of the team and were not done in an offensive manner, although it could have led to us getting shot by people whom the comments rubbed wrong.

The other issue at hand was the actions of one particular player that was caught on video quickly released on youtube and just as quickly removed. It is alleged that B.A. #21 was spotted staggering through the streets of Bethesda headed towards the Metro which he then threw up on a crowded Metro cart followed by him shouting a couple "Oh baby and Clip Joint is in the building, bbbbllllllatttt, bbbbllllllattttt!!!!" The teams official stance on this is that Mr. B.A. did not do anything offensive towards anyone in the public. The only thing that could be interpreted as public indecency is the public display of vomiting. It has been determined that on the crowded train there were many who recognized and attempted to speak to B.A. Not one for public attention it made him upset to his stomach and mixing with the alcohol caused the vomiting. The shouting that then occurred was due to feelings of relief from his queas iness. This being said B.A. will review certain sections of the Nightlife code of conduct which will include holding your liquor. I would also like to state there is no truth to the accusations that B.A. was spotted with a girl of large physical stature that was thought to be a new "big man" recruit for the Clip Joint.

J.D. #10