Supermarket Agrees to Pay Student $10K For Hitting This Half-Court Shot…After ‘Occupy’ Protest
- Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:37am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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When University of Kentucky freshman Vincent Swope hit a half-court shot at halftime on Saturday — the kind no one ever really makes — he took a victory lap. He had just won $10,000. Or did he?
Almost immediately, someone from the contest approached him with the rules, and said that Swopes might not win the money from the sponsor — the supermarket chain, Kroger — because he could have been slightly over the line. Here’s what the representative meant:
Here’s video of the shot:
“They said when I released the ball I was over the line,” Swope said. “There are some pictures where it looks like I touched the line and some where it looks like I didn’t touch the line, but that didn’t even cross my mind when I shot it. I was just thinking, ‘I’m $10,000 richer.”
“I thought Kroger was a nice supermarket when I lived up there but then I moved to Florida where Publix makes Kroger look like Aldi,” Deadspin blogger Timothy Burke wrote on Saturday.
But the story doesn’t end there. Yahoo! Sports explains the happy ending, that even included an “Occupy Kroger” movement:
Word that Kroger’s might not pay Swope reached Kentucky Sports Radio founder Matt Jones during the second half of Saturday’s game, so he wasted little time in organizing a movement on the freshman’s behalf. Jones offered to bring Swope on his postgame radio show and encouraged his 37,000 Twitter followers to tweet in protest with the hashtag #OccupyKroger.
Not only did hundreds of Kentucky fans follow Jones’ advice, some also took the movement a step further. Two Wildcats fans made #OccupyKroger signs and stood with them in front of the Kroger in Ashland, Kent.
To Kroger’s credit, the supermarket chain didn’t take long to realize the PR folly that not paying Swope would be. A representative of Kroger called Jones within an hour of the game ending on Saturday and asked him to tell Swope that he would receive the $10,000.
“That’s the Big Blue Nation for you,” Swope said. “They supported me, and I really do appreciate it.”
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Comments (86)
Americanbeliever
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:08amWAY over the line. Just like the radio host and the uneducated followers that pressured a business to put aside their own rules call wrong right.
Report Post »Tepeyac
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:02amHe deserves a $50.00 gift certificate for the shot! Nothing else! Deal with it dude! You fkd up!
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:11amYou sound like a “typical white Guy” trying to keep the black man down. Since when do rules Matter? Psst, Flash shopping mob at Kroger’s tonight at 9PM, pass it on, Psst! Redistribute the welf…
Report Post »theaveng
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:17amI would have given him HALF. “Technically you FOULED the shot, so you don’t get anything. Our referees confirm that it was a bad shot. But we’ve decided to be kind and give you half the money. 5000.”
Report Post »RIGEL_ORION
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:38am@THEAV
I‘m curious which of Beck’s messages strikes so near to your heart that you would do anything to destroy the messenger rather than put on your big-boy pants, introspect and deal with the message.
No man has ever been without sin. Yet Moses still brought forth the ten commandments. Perhaps one of THEAV‘s ancestors should have been there to mention how Moses has no room to talk or issue commandments since he’d once sinned in the house of the Pharaoh years prior.
Report Post »TheWholeTruth
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:12amIf this was actual play as in football and the Championship game (pick one) and your team was winning or losing (pick one) how would you call it? The refs would call it it a great big OUT OF BOUNDS. I’ve seen it happen too many times in football especially, the toes of the shoe just barely touch the side lines and everything is for naught. It’s heartbreaking but, dem’s da rulz! There is no such thing as ‘just a little out of bounds.”
Report Post »Kaoscontrol
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:13pmSomeone get that guy a PARTICIPATION TROPHY!!!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 1:02pmPeople seem not to realize, the companies that “sponsor” these types of things are just that… “SPONSORS” – they actually BUY an INSURANCE policy for the event, and the insurance company sets the rules and decides if there is a winner. All the sponsor does is pay a fee to get the publicity that comes with the event.
Report Post »Attack the insurance company, not the sponsor.
little big man
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 1:49pmThe front of his foot was over the line big time. krogers gave him the money so the blacks would not riot.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 6:34pmHe Was Over The Line But…
Rules do not mean anything to blacks. If he did not get the money, the college campus would have been burned to the ground. Elections do not count either it the Black looses the election.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 6:37pmIt Was A WHITE Line Too.
The line moved when he was shooting, everyone could see that.
Report Post »symphonic
Posted on January 10, 2012 at 1:13amThere was no line. It was a big fat logo/letter, so deal with it.
Report Post »CLG 4
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:00amGee folks, let’s go Krogering. The next time thier is a two for one sale, take three it’s just a little bit over. What a stupid move by Kroger.
Report Post »LaBelle
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:56amAnother perfect example of the squeaky wheel getting the grease.
Report Post »LMW
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:43amHe is over the line and he knew the rules. Giving in to another black trash talk rather then keeping to their own rules.
Report Post »Zetareticuli
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:14amCome on people. Get real. Even if he’s over the line by a couple of inches, that’s a fraction of a percentage of the entire distance from half court to the hoop. It doesn’t diminish the significance of the achievement or the difficulty of the shot. He made the shot from a pretty darn exact half-court mark. To refuse to pay a promised prize is just petty and sour.
Report Post »goofyfoot2001
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:47amNo it’s the rule. So, let’s say that Obama were to get 269 of the 270 votes required to win the presidency. Should we just give it to him? After all, he just missed the line by a smidge…
Report Post »jnobfan
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:52amOver the line Smokey
Report Post »Brian
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:53amRules is rules. What message does it send to kids? Hey, just whine and complain until someone bends the rules for you. Don’t think so.
Report Post »GQQSER
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:56am@ Zetareticuli – Let’s not have a line then, This country is freaking brainwashed into moving the line all the time.
Report Post »Buckeye_Guy58
Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:50amYou can’t be serious. With many things like this you either do a or you do b. In this case you make it or you dont (legally). Your type of thinking directly impacting how America is today. It starts with this shot, but your general way of thinking will be the same over a broad range of issue.<– "Well, no you didn't do it the right way, but you tried your best and almost did it. Just get real mad at someone else for your mistakes. They make more money than you anyhow, they can spare it. It's their fair share."
Makes me sick.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:57am.
If all you have to do to get $10,000 U.S. Dollars out of Kroger is “Occupy Kroger”…….
What are Ya’ll doing for lunch?…….
Report Post »DoubleThrowDown
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 1:50pmWe can buy all the things for lunch at the kroger we occupy.
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:42amEh, I agree with whoever said they needed some objective (if one could even be found) person to “call it.”
HOWEVER this was a DUMB PR move on Kroger’s part. They caused themselves a LOT of negative publicity over it. An organization like that is MUCH better off simply paying the $10,000. than dispute it as they did. They may have been within their “rights” to do so, but again – dumb MARKETING move.
They’ve agreed to pay it now, but only under pressure.
Bad move, Kroger!
Either be prepared next time or don’t make such an offer. ;-)
As for the kid, hey–I’m happy for him. Let him enjoy his extra cash! He practiced that shot, made it–everyone loves a “winner” and also for the “underdog” to win. He’s in college so chances are that money will disappear fast enough! ;-)
Congrats, Vincent! :-) – - And nice of you to do, Kroger! :-)
Report Post »GQQSER
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:00amExcept he is not a winner. He didn’t play by the rules and when called on it, he whined and threatened to get his way. I hope he distributes the wealth amongst the other homies.
Report Post »skitrees
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 1:37pmHa – since he clearly cheated…Kroger would have been further ahead just donating the money to the college instead of to the individual. They could call it, “Redistribution 101 – Nobody is Happy and we’re STILL out the money.”
Report Post »Corsair
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:38amImfrzn is correct. It’s difficult to judge accurately a point while moving up to it when the only true reference of that line is to the sides. Did he sight down the line (like a golfer sighting a putt) before the shot to see where the line would be if the huge UK logo wasn’t there?
Report Post »UrbanCombatSurvivor
Posted on January 10, 2012 at 2:19amHow is that anyone’s responsibility but his own? He’s got 10k on the line, and didn’t earn he. He failed, and shouldn’t have gotten a penny. Kroger’s are morons for paying him…
Report Post »SLARTIBARTFAST
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:33amWhat did the occupy movement have to do with this, other than their name being used to intimidate Kroger? Maybe this should be the point, that the Occupy name strikes fear in many of the sheeple: Exactly as planned.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:31amI don’t shop at Kroger because of this type of thing. I don’t shop at HEB because they use discriminatory hiring practices, favoring minorities.
Report Post »Nemo13
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:30amIt’s ridiculous that people are saying “He’s over the line, and deserves nothing.”
Yeah, sure! Why have rules! Hey, just take the line out, right? Or just make the line wider! Because some people can’t stop on the dime and thats not fair! It all has to be fair, or at least your twisted ideas of fair. Sorry, that is why RULES are put in place. Hey! Why not just take the basket out? Just throw the ball! If you throw it, and it lands somewhere, YOU WIN!! Sure!
Report Post »nelbert
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:16am“the supermarket chain didn’t take long to realize the PR folly”
That’s why Kroger caved. Unfortunately, were I in a decision making role at Kroger, I would now think twice about participating in such philanthropic events – no good deed goes unpunished.
Report Post »Redd
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:25amThere are RULES to events, the problem is Kroger didnt have an “official” to rule fair or foul at the point of shot release. Kroger needed to pay because of their own mistake.
Report Post »RIGEL_ORION
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:48amThe truth of the matter about this ‘donation’ by Kroger is that it likely wasn’t even made by Kroger to begin with. Doing some work in promotions myself, I can tell you that most companies doing these ‘low-percentage’ prizes simply buy a policy from a promotions insurance agency – in the off chance that a person actually wins the contest.
The whole purpose of these contests are positive press, not charity or the giveaway. Since the press is the goal and not the giveaway, of course they are going to follow the course of action that results in the most positive stories about Kroger being ‘the store that cares’
The company insuring the shot? I’m guessing they ARENT going to pay up and Kroger will be eating this one on their own. Serves them right though. Unless they expressly told each contestant that the prize is forfeit on a ‘scratch-shot’ and clearly marked the half line within the logo, I don’t think they should deny payment to a shot clearly taken in good-faith.
Report Post »imfrzn
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:12amThe whole purpose of a line is to provide a visual marker so the player can gage “go” or “no-go”. On this one the dude ought to be paid not because of his whining and the deployment of “freedom from soap” occupy soldiers. No, it’s somewhat of a technicality but it looks like the UK logo does provide a good line to use as a reference. How do you know where the line actually is?
Report Post »Rob Adkerson
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:12amIt’s ridiculous that people are saying “He’s over the line, and deserves nothing.” You’re all hipocrates who would be singing a different tune if this was you, your brother, or your kid. He’s 18 and was maybe an inch over the line, he deserves the prize. Is it worthy of “occupy” anything? Of course not, but don’t get over zealous just because occupiers got involved and dirtied up the issue.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:42am“He’s 18 and was maybe an inch over the line, he deserves the prize.”
Uh, no he doesn’t. If he violated the boundary, he doesn’t deserve squat. What’s the point in having rules if YOU and your bleeding heart “everybody deserves a trophy!” types feel they shouldn’t be followed?
I’ll bet your momma also told you you were the smartest, most handsome boy in the entire world and that you could do anything you want when you grow up. Guess what? She lied. And if it was you attempting the shot and you stepped over the line, you wouldn’t deserve the prize, either. Now, go grab your teddy bear and your blankey. Momma will be around shortly to comfort you and to tell you to ignore the mean person who just rained all over your pathetic little parade.
Report Post »RIGEL_ORION
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:57amDo all of you talking about the rules have any idea if they were even explained to the contestant? Considering this is one of these promotions done within a very short window, I‘m guessing there wasn’t a whole lot of detail other than the fact that it needed to be a half-court shot.
His foot was directly at mid-court when he elevated for the shot. Just as in counting 3s, it doesn’t matter where you land, but from where you leap. Unless the rules were clearly stated that his toe had to be behind an imaginary line the promoters couldn’t be concerned enough with to mark, this shot should count.
Report Post »MuttleyCrew
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:12amAs part of the PC-incorrect, I will no longer be shopping at Kroger. We can’t support this submission to the pressure. If this kid didn’t feel “entitled”, he’d refuse the money and stand for what is right.
He can add it to his participation trophies!!!
Report Post »ImJusSayin
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:04amEverybody’s a winner, everyone gets a trophy! This is crap. Play by the rules! Just another “give me something for nothing” deal.
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:59amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBsHxuNzCS4
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:59amHow about my CATS??? Big Blue Baby…Kentucky man and fan here
Report Post »Dinkiecb
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:57amyup he’s over the line..not by much … but he’s over
Report Post »Nemo13
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:55am“If the guy had been let’s say White, he’d still be broke”
+1 The fawning over minorities is getting old.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:04amTell me about it. And if the ten grand was so important to him, then he should have made darn sure he wasn’t over the line. But, then again, why try so hard when he has the backstop of blackness.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:07amI don’t think people really understand the United States is on borrowed time to see if they can fix the problems tearing the nation apart.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:09amDo people know exactly what happens when God breaks out on them? People have a way of moving like Lions – it’s an amazing thing to behold.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:14amPeople move like lions, they jump like lions, they fight like lions, they run as fast as lions, and the human mind is somewhere else, and all that is heard is the wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:55amHe was over, if rules don’t matter…why have them?
Report Post »Shenandoahvalleypatriot
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:54amOur society is doomed because rules no longer matter. And for Kroger to submit to this non sense only strengthens the entitlement generation. If I ever get selected to take a half court shot by Kroger I’m going to walk down for a layup. My argument for the money will be “the other guy crossed the line just as I did”.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:52am@-The shooter wasn’t (apparently) complaining about the stores decision. I think others complained for him. Therefor no harm no“ foul”.The store has a right to question where he was on the court,informed him he might be in violation of a rule,and not get the money.If the shooter did not complain,then I think both parties acted like adults.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:48am.
Yahoo! Sports explains the happy ending, that even included an “Occupy Kroger” movement:
He’s over the line……P.C. White Guilt Morons just cost Kroger $10k, folded like a house of cards. If the guy had been let’s say White, he’d still be broke………..
Report Post »cosette
Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:05amHe’s obviously over the line, as are all his supporters. Conclusion- White guilt, if not that, what?
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