Buffalo Wild Wings has decided to stop airing its TV commercials featuring Steve Rannazzisi after the comedian admitted to lying about being in the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 attacks.
According to a statement released by the company, it has opted to discontinue airing its TV commercials after carefully reviewing the situation. Rannazzisi had admitted earlier in the week that he was not working on the 54th floor of the south tower as an account manager for Merrill Lynch when the attacks occurred. He had previously described the horrific event in several interviews, detailing the pandemonium he'd apparently seen as he ran out into the street.
However, Merrill Lynch didn't have offices in either of the World Trade Center towers, and the company has no record of employing Rannazzisi, either. Rannazzisi took to Twitter to confess, saying he had actually been in another area of the city at the time, after The New York Times questioned his earlier claims.
"It wasn't true. I was in Manhattan but working in a building in midtown and I was not at the Trade Center on that day," he wrote.
Rannazzisi stars in the The League, which is produced by FXX. FX Networks said the comedian's deception was unfortunate and upsetting but he would remain on the show as the final season is expected to wrap up around October.
"We believe Steve is sincere in his apology and will do everything he can to make amends moving forward," said the network in a statement.
Buffalo Wild Wings doesn't feel the same way. Rannazzisi started appearing in ads for the company earlier in the year during March Madness, but the most recent TV commercials started running in August. According to Sally Smith, the company's CEO, The League fits the image of the company, which landed Rannazzisi his spot with Buffalo Wild Wings.
Also in jeopardy is Rannazzisi's stand-up special set to air on Comedy Central, with the channel saying it is still evaluating how to best proceed, given the situation surrounding the comedian.
Rannazzisi has not made any comments regarding Buffalo Wild Wings' decision to drop his TV commercials.
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