In the closing moments of the Houston Rockets’ series-clinching win against the Dallas Mavericks, the team’s twitter account riled up the internet. The inflammatory tweet lead to the firing of the Rockets social media manager, who then took to twitter to explain his actions.
Sometimes you can go too far. I will no longer run @HoustonRockets but am grateful to the organization that let me develop an online voice.
— Chad Shanks (@chadjshanks) April 29, 2015
I did my best to make the account the best in the NBA by pushing the envelope, but pushed too far for some and for that I apologize.
— Chad Shanks (@chadjshanks) April 29, 2015
Subsequently, the Rockets’ internet community has taken a stand against Shanks’ dismissal.
We’re unfollowing the @HoustonRockets twitter account. We suggest you join us.
— The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) April 29, 2015
The conversation around what constitutes a firing in the line of social media should be a hot topic for the next few days. Social media presents more challenges than most people realize, because mistakes are caught instantly and the panic from the corporation ensues. Needless to say, the handling of this situation will be looked at closely by teams all around sports.
