Potato chip maker Ruffles denied blocking Chris Brown from playing in the 2024 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
Brown took to social media to complain that he was blocked from playing because the PepsiCo-owned potato chip brand objected.
The objection stemmed from Brown’s 2009 arrest for beating then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna.
“I was asked by the NBA to play in the all star game this Year! Only for them to call later and say they couldn’t do IT because of their sponsors like RUFFLES,” Brown said in a post on his Instagram Stories on Saturday.
“At this point I’m sick of people bothering me and I’m tired of living in the f-king past,” he added.
Brown shared an email inviting him to participate in the game. The email requested he submit a headshot and bio.
Brown said the NBA still wanted him to sit courtside, but he declined.
“I ONLY GO WHERE IM APPRECIATED,” he said.
IndyStar reached out to the NBA regarding Brown’s claims. A spokesperson for the game’s sponsor, Ruffles, shared the following statement: “Ruffles sponsored last night’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, however Ruffles did not have any involvement in, nor visibility to, any player decisions or celebrity invite discussions.”
Meek Mill is among the celebrities standing up for Brown. He asked rap fans not to buy the Ruffles brand snacks.
Mill tweeted on Saturday: “That’s why it’s important we support Rap Snacks… I [love Rap Snacks] over Ruffles. [They’re] Black-owned and taste better!”
That’s why it’s important we support rap snacks …. I live @RapSnacksNow over ruffles black owned and taste better!!!!!!
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) February 19, 2024
One fan wrote: “Ruffles is the same company that allowed Charles Barkley to be a sponsor. Charles Barkley is the same bozo that made an insensitive domestic violence joke in 1990. Charles Barkley is the same individual that told a woman in 2019 ‘I don’t hit women, but if I did I would hit you’. Today he is still a sponsor for Ruffles.”
