NBA on TNT Issues Apology After Falsely Reporting Death of Billy Ray Bates
The NBA on TNT team has issued a public apology after mistakenly announcing that former NBA player and PBA legend Billy Ray Bates had passed away.
The error occurred during the April 15 episode of Inside the NBA, when analyst Shaquille O’Neal incorrectly stated that Bates was deceased. The claim, made in passing during a discussion, quickly spread across social media platforms before it was clarified.
Studio host Ernie Johnson addressed the mistake with a formal on-air apology:
“We would like to issue a correction and an apology for something that happened last night on Inside the NBA. In the course of our discussion, we passed on some bad information that Billy Ray Bates had passed away,” Johnson said.
“While it was inadvertent, it was also inaccurate, insensitive, and inexcusable. We apologize to Billy Ray Bates and his family.”
How the Mix-up Happened
The mistake surfaced during a segment celebrating Cleveland guard Ty Jerome’s 28-point performance in Game 1 of the Cavaliers’ first-round series against the Miami Heat. Jerome's impressive debut ranked fourth all-time among bench scorers in playoff debuts — just behind Billy Ray Bates, who scored 29 points in his own debut for the Portland Trail Blazers in 1980.
As the crew discussed the list of top performers, Charles Barkley brought up Bates and questioned what had happened to him. Shaquille O’Neal then erroneously said that Bates had passed away, which led to confusion and criticism from fans, particularly those in the Philippines, where Bates remains a revered basketball icon.
A Living Legend
Now 68 years old, Billy Ray Bates had a brief but explosive NBA career with Portland, Washington, and the Los Angeles Lakers. But it was in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) where Bates achieved legendary status. As an import for the Crispa Redmanizers and later Barangay Ginebra, Bates captivated Filipino fans with his athleticism, scoring prowess, and flair for the dramatic. His name remains etched in PBA history as one of the greatest imports to ever grace the league.
Final Thoughts
The apology from TNT was the right step, but the mistake highlights the importance of verifying sensitive information — especially when it involves someone still alive and widely celebrated.
For many fans, especially in the Philippines, Billy Ray Bates is more than a name from the past — he's a living legend whose legacy continues to inspire. It's a reminder that respect and accuracy must always go hand in hand, especially when speaking about figures who’ve made a lasting impact across generations and continents.
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