Tis Tough: Clippers Ask Clipper Darrell To Lose The Team From His Name
After years of disappointment the Clippers have finally become a relevant contender, and it appears that the organization is feeling itself just a little too much.
Longtime Clipper fan Darrell Bailey, better known as “Clipper Darrell,” a name popularized by the media, was asked by the organization to drop the “Clipper” from his title, amidst claims that he is benefitting monetarily by using the Clippers brand without their permission.
In a statement released on his website, Clipper Darrell broke the news of the team’s request:
It is with great sadness that I must report to all those in NBA NATION that I have been told by Clipper management they no longer want me to be Clipper Darrell, a name that was given to me by the media because of my unwavering support and team spirit. I am devastated!!!!
Clipper Darrell has been the team’s proverbial hype man for the past 10 seasons, through good times and bad (mostly bad), but the move isn’t surprising, especially considering that owner Donald Sterling is a notorious douchebag (for lack of a more insulting term).
Respected by both crips and bloods (well, at least partly) Clipper Darrell is a phenomenon and should be allowed to stack a little cheddar whilst promoting the Clippers’ brand. They might as well put him on salary and make him their global ambassador.
Current Clippers players, including Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have taken to twitter to voice their displeasure with the team’s decision, but the Clippers organization released the following statement explaining their reasoning:
“We have had multiple conversations with him concerning his inappropriate use of the Clippers’ team name and trademark for his own unmonitored commercial gain. We have spoken to him repeatedly about his desire to make public appearances in ways which improperly suggest that he is officially affiliated with our organization. In all cases and over a long period of time, he has consistently rejected our efforts to operate in consultation.”
Bottom line is that the media (and not the Clippers) named him Clipper Darrell, so I’mma call him Clipper Darrell. I’m sure REAL Clippers fans feel the same way and will still refer to him as such.
[via LA Times, @melissarohlin]