Buffalo Wild Wings set X ablaze this week after offering free food to a fan who was reportedly banned for life from NBA arenas after running onto the court during Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
During the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s Finals opener, a fan sprinted onto the court and approached San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama while recording video and asking for a selfie. Security quickly detained the individual and removed him from the floor.
Fan runs on the court during Game 1… pic.twitter.com/lMPQof82oI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 4, 2026
Following the match, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said the fan was arrested on misdemeanor charges of disrupting a lawful gathering and criminal trespassing. An NBA spokesperson later announced that the fan, along with another individual accused of helping him access the court, had been banned for life from NBA events and arenas.
Buffalo Wild Wings then weighed in on the incident with a post on X.
“Internet, help us find the banned fan. He can watch the rest of the finals at B-Dubs on us,” the restaurant chain posted.
internet, help us find the banned fan. he can watch the rest of the finals at B-Dubs on us. https://t.co/wMX61PRm7F
— Buffalo Wild Wings (@BWWings) June 4, 2026
Buffalo Wild Wings’ post quoted a viral image purporting to show a fan selfie from the court. However, the image was not authentic. The fan who ran onto the floor had short hair and was tackled by security before taking the selfie with Wembanyama.
The post sparked backlash across social media for offering a prize for disruptive behavior. One widely shared reply contrasted the offer with the chain’s military discount, writing that service members receive 10% off while someone who committed a crime was being offered a free meal.
Former NBA All-Star Blake Griffin also criticized the promotion.
“This ain’t it. @wingstop would never #notapaidpost,” Griffin posted on his X account.
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