Shortly before the Rockets defeated the Mavericks to advance to the second round of this year’s NBA playoffs, the above tweet appeared on the feed of the Rockets’ official Twitter account. The Mavericks took the high road by wishing the Rockets luck in the next round. However, a man is now out of a job as a result.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Chad Shanks is no longer the team’s digital communications manager.
Shanks thanked the Rockets for the opportunity and apologized for pushing the envelope too far in a series of tweets from his personal Twitter account.
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
I hope there's another organization out there in need of someone willing to take chances and create engaging social content. I hope.
— Chad Shanks (@chadjshanks) April 29, 2015
You all have no idea how much all this support means. Doesn't excuse my not thinking before Tweeting, but it has been much appreciated.
— Chad Shanks (@chadjshanks) April 29, 2015
As is generally the case in situations like this, not everyone found the tweet to be offensive or improper. However, enough did that it was eventually deleted and an apology was issued.
The Rockets won their first playoff series since 2009 on Tuesday, which is obviously reason for excitement throughout the franchise. Unfortunately, along with it comes an opening in the social media department.
