During its coverage of Game 1 of the New York Knicks-Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon, ABC appeared to show archival footage from New York City showing the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in the background with the Statue of Liberty.
The game was at halftime, and after a report, the broadcast cut to a picture of New York City with the Statue of Liberty in front, but the Twin Towers appear to be in the background of the shot.
The Twin Towers, of course, collapsed during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City.
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Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler near the three-point line in the first half against the New York Knicks during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2023 in New City York. (Elsa/Getty Images)
«We inadvertently used an old stock image and apologize,» ESPN said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
It is common practice to use old footage of cities during cutscenes on broadcasts. A source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that there was no intention for the footage to be broadcast live.
USE THE HEAT OF THE SECOND HALF TO BRING GAME 1 TO THE KNICKS AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
«How did this happen?» commented a Twitter user.
Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks on April 30, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
«That should NEVER happen!!» another wrote.
The Heat ended up winning Game 1 at Madison Square Garden in their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Knicks, 108-101, thanks to a strong second half. The Knicks led by five at halftime.
The World Trade Center in July 2000. (Albert L. Ortega/WireImage/File)
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The series will resume Tuesday night for Game 2 at The Garden.