Jazz Fans Run A-Fowl By Chick-fil-A Promotion Change

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz fans are a notoriously passionate bunch. Salt Lake City, specifically Vivint Smart Home Arena has always been one of the toughest road destinations for opposing teams in the NBA. Some may credit the state’s near mile-high altitude, some may credit the organization’s consistency and commitment to winning. But undoubtedly, the rowdiness of the fanbase that has backed the organization for three decades in the state plays a major role. 

While the crowd usually finds at least one stretch per game when cheering for their team that raises the decibel level to well over triple digits, one promotion bends the needle on the Richter scale greater than any highlight in team history. 

Free chicken. 

When an opposing team misses two consecutive free-throws in the fourth quarter, Chick-fil-A awards fans in the state of Utah with either a chicken sandwich or eight-piece chicken nugget entree for free as part of their “Fowl Play” promotion. 

Robbed of free chicken because of a lane violation!?
OUTRAGEOUS pic.twitter.com/nFaYiPZ8Ul

— Matthew L Glade (@matthewLksl) January 21, 2020

At least they did. 

After Houston Rockets forward Thabo Sefolosha missed back to back free-throws with 39 seconds left in an ugly home loss, Jazz fans expected to find solace when they opened the restaurant’s app to redeem their free meal. 

What they found instead was a change to the promotion. After Sefolosha’s missed freebies, Chick-fil-A awarded Jazz fans with a free fountain drink, any size, but doesn’t include the restaurant’s tea or lemonade. 

If you thought Jazz fans were rabid when the officials blew a call against the Jazz, wait until you take away their chicken.

Twitter user @11Kade7 awoke to the alteration to the Jazz promotion. 

“My Chick-fil-a fowl shot for the Jazz was a “fountain beverage” instead of a chicken sandwich…I’m so upset ” the user tweeted. 

My Chick-fil-a fowl shot for the Jazz was a “fountain beverage” instead of a chicken sandwich…I’m so upset 😭

— kade7_11 (@11Kade7) January 28, 2020

Another twitter user @JazzFreeCFA, who as you can tell is somewhat invested in the promotion, and usually plays the role of messenger reminding Jazz of when they’ve ‘earned’ the promotion was equally surprised by the change.

“Me looking at @ChickfilA when we were originally supposed to get chicken sandwiches from the Jazz games, then it went to chicken nuggets, now it’s a drink??”

Me looking at @ChickfilA when we were originally supposed to get chicken sandwiches from the Jazz games, then it went to chicken nuggets, now it's a drink?? pic.twitter.com/9YTS17WqVC

— Does Utah Get Free Chick Fil A? (@JazzFreeCFA) January 28, 2020

Jazz fans can find solace however in knowing the change to the promotion isn’t permanent. 

Chick-fil-A spokesperson Troy Apolonio told KSL Sports that due to the promotion being activated in back to back games (The Dallas Mavericks also missed two fourth-quarter free-throws on Saturday afternoon), the restaurant reserves the right to alter the giveaway to fulfill the promotion. 

The Jazz embark on a three-game road trip starting Wednesday in San Antonio, before stopping in Denver and Portland. Jazz fans can next root for free chicken on February 5, when fittingly, the Nuggets travel to Vivint Smart Home Arena.