It’s funny how things change. The Clippers have been the doormat of the NBA and sporting world for as long as anyone can remember. They were one of the most pathetic sports franchises. But now that they have some momentum, it looks like they’ve changed their tune a bit with superfan ‘Clipper Darrell’.
Along with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan’s dizzying dunks, Clipper Darrell has become part of the Lob City show at Staples Center.
Clipper Darrell, the team’s super fan, wears a red and blue outfit and screams his head off during games. His booming voice has been known to start arena-wide cheers.
He even dances during breaks and his corky moves are often shown on the video board interspersed between the Clipper Girls routine. (Believe it or not, he draws a louder applause than the women in miniskirts.)
But to FISHBOWLLA, the Clippers front office has asked Darrell to drop the Clippers name.
“They said I was trying to make money off sponsorships,” Darrell Bailey told the website. “If people are going to pay me to do some things, why not do it? I don’t see any harm in it as long as I’m not hurting the brand itself. I’m going to high schools, charity events, I do it all. They told me at the end of the conversation that ‘We would like you not to be Clipper Darrell anymore and would like you to go back to Darrell Bailey.’ “
On Clipper Darrell’s website, he wrote: “I am devastated!!!!
“I have been a season ticket holder for over a decade and a FAN for over 15 years and have dedicated a major part of my life to support the Clipper organization and it’s [sic] players no matter what the season’s outcome.”
Source: LA Times
