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From Apryl Duncan, for About.com

PR Stunt Costs Papa John's Some Dough

Wednesday May 7, 2008
Papa John's is serving up 23 cent pizzas Thursday to Cleveland-area residents over "Crybaby" T-shirts aimed at the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James. The shirt controversy began when the Washington Wizards played the Cavaliers last week in the playoffs. Wizards center Brendan Haywood called James a "crybaby" after James complained about hard fouls during the first game of the opening series. At Friday's game in Washington, fans showed up with T-shirts that had the word "Crybaby" on it, the Papa John's logo and the number 23, which is James' jersey number Papa John's has issued a public apology, outing a Papa John's franchisee in Washington for printing up the T-shirts without corporate approval. "Nonetheless, we believe this was in poor taste and sincerely apologize to Cavalier fans and LeBron James," part of the statement reads.

More on the Papa John's "Crybaby" T-Shirt:

Corporate will be shelling out the dough to bring Cleveland residents their 23 cent pizzas to make amends with fans. They'll also donate $10,000 to the Cavaliers Youth Fund.

Despite the PR flub, the shirt has become a hot commodity. Ebayers are selling them for about $15.

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