A statement released to Australia's Fox Sports claims the man at the centre of the incident is an 83-year-old man with a "cognitive impairment". Figtree Private Hospital - the company that hired the corporate box - said the man was also the father of the woman sitting next to him pictured on the live Fox Sports broadcast.
"Figtree Private Hospital has apologised to the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks for the actions of an elderly gentleman who was a guest in the hospital's box last evening," hospital CEO Paul McKenna said in the statement.
"The 83-year-old father of a long-term, valued employee, has some cognitive impairment and does not recall the incident. His family are very regretful of the incident and have indicated they will be making a formal apology on his behalf."
