A rock band is facing criticism after damaging an NBA team’s championship banners with pyrotechnics at a recent concert.
The Chicago Tribune reports all six of the Chicago Bulls' championship banners have been removed from the United Center for the rest of the season. Heat from fire at Disturbed’s concert last Saturday caused “minor” fabric damage, warping the bottom of each banner.
“United Center is currently working with the Bulls to explore options to repair these banners,” the United Center said in a statement Friday. “While the banners will not be in place for the remainder of this season, we do anticipate them being back in place next season.”
WGN-TV reports other banners in the arena, showing division and conference championships, were not damaged and are still hanging in the rafters. Chicago Blackhawks banners were also unharmed.
Disturbed is a heavy metal band that formed in Chicago in 1994. The Grammy-nominated group is currently on tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of its debut album, featuring hit songs “Stupify” and “Down with the Sickness.”
Disturbed has not commented on the damage to the Bulls' banners, but posted photos from the concert showing flames, smoke and sparks during their performance.
“Chicago…wow! Tonight was special—a SOLD OUT hometown show at a bucket-list venue. We can’t thank you enough!" Disturbed wrote on Facebook.
The Chicago Bulls won all six of its NBA championships in the 1990s, including two three-peats led by basketball legend Michael Jordan. Those years also included Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Steve Kerr, Dennis Rodman and coach Phil Jackson.