RealGM

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!!!!
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 players no matter what the season’s outcome. Over the years (400 home games) I have gone to great lengths to show my appreciation and loyalty in my attire, the car I drive and in my very own home. I’ve taken seriously the mantra of being “Clipper Darrell” in performing community service, mentoring young children and my participation in outreach programs. I’ve appreciated the struggles of the team to overcome obstacles as I’ve done in my life. I felt vindicated for all the years we as Clipper fans have gone through trials and tribulations and NOW we have a team that can win it all. Yesterday was the hardest day of my life, I felt powerless as a fan, as I was stripped of my identity however, no one can take away my heart and the love I have for my team!

“That’s when everything went haywire and they said I was trying to make money off sponsorships,” Bailey added. “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.

Fishbowla

mkwest wrote:Legal issue.

If he is going around and accepting/making money off of the name "Clipper Darrell" while sporting team merchandise, it is as though he is capitalizing off of the "Clipper brand" without actually being employed by the franchise. If someone were to go around calling themselves Apple Alex, Nike Nick, Pepsico Paul, etc., were making money off of appearances or promoting their own personal businesses under that name, they would be sent a cease and desist order and would be threatened to be sued.

“That’s when everything went haywire and they said I was trying to make money off sponsorships,” Bailey added. “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.

Fishbowla

However, it's a bad PR move for the organization. It also makes you ask why now after all of these years? Neil Olshey may have the gift of gab, but the higher ups (that made this decision) like Andy Roeser do not. They're not telling him to not be a fan anymore, just not to promote himself like he has been under the moniker of "Clipper Darrell".

Clippers statement regarding Clipper Darrell

“The Clippers have done absolutely nothing wrong or inappropriate as it concerns Darrell Bailey. His claims are absurd and unfounded. He has never been an employee or representative of the Clippers organization, and therefore cannot be terminated. The Clippers have never engaged Mr. Bailey’s services. When he has been in need, the organization has regularly provided him a seat for games. No good deed goes unpunished.

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.

In a conversation with an authoritative and tenured Clippers’ executive last week, he was asked again to either consult with the team on all public appearances and/or commercial ventures, or stop undertaking those opportunities representing himself inappropriately. His response was an offer to stop representing himself commercially in that way and his offer was accepted in principle.

The next thing we heard was the baseless claims he has made today and the ensuing media rush to judgment.

We hold all of our fans in the highest esteem and we have been patient and generous with Mr. Bailey. He has not returned our support in an honorable way. He is not actually a fan of the Clippers, but a fan of what he can make off of the Clippers. We are no longer interested in that kind of association with him, and that is why we accepted his offer to remove our team name from his stage name.”

OC Register

blkout wrote:They didn't seem to care about this while the team sucked.

Two of my friends went to a Clippers game two seasons ago and said the only thing they really remembered from it was Clipper Darrell going nuts and trying (and failing) to get the crowd behind the team when they were getting destroyed on the court. Roscoe is right, make him an employee.

Neddy wrote:i know i am a fool to have supported any DTS' product over the last 3 decades... this is sickening. clipper darrell should call up mark cuban and ask for the previous offer back on the table to be a maverick darrell, a paying gig cuban offered to him to be a mad fan that he is for us, to be for them. donald tukowitz sterling and his goons make me sick.

Angel strike1 wrote:

Neddy wrote:i know i am a fool to have supported any DTS' product over the last 3 decades... this is sickening. clipper darrell should call up mark cuban and ask for the previous offer back on the table to be a maverick darrell, a paying gig cuban offered to him to be a mad fan that he is for us, to be for them. donald tukowitz sterling and his goons make me sick.

he talked to CUBAN he didnt like the offer!

HE IS A SELLOUT!!