Singer Chris Brown criticized the NBA for initially inviting him to play in the 2024 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, only to rescind the invitation later due to pressure from sponsors like Ruffles.
“I was asked by the NBA to play in the all-star game this year! Only for them to call later and say they couldn’t do IT because of their sponsors like RUFFLES. At this point I’m sick of people bothering me and I’m tired of living in the past,” Chris Brown wrote.
Brown accused the NBA of bowing to corporate interests and punishing him for past incidents, notably his 2009 assault on Rihanna, though he didn’t address this directly.
In a series of Instagram posts, Brown expressed frustration, sharing screenshots of the initial invitation email.
Despite the NBA offering him courtside seats as a consolation, Brown refused, stating he only goes where he feels appreciated.
“I ONLY GO WHERE IM APPRECIATED.” he wrote in a post.
Fans vented their anger towards Ruffles, prompting the company to release a statement clarifying they had no involvement in the decision-making process regarding player invitations. Brown dismissed their statement as lies, further escalating the controversy.
