CEO FIRED From His Company After STEALING Signed Hat From Young Tennis Fan At US Open
CEO Piotr Szczerek FIRED From His Company After STEALING Signed Hat From Young Tennis Fan At US Open
In a bizarre and unexpected twist at this year’s US Open, a corporate executive has found himself at the center of a scandal that feels more like a tabloid headline than a real-life event. Piotr Szczerek, the now-former CEO of tech firm Neurovia Technologies, was abruptly fired this week after being caught on video snatching a signed hat from a young tennis fan during the men’s quarterfinal match on Tuesday night.
A Viral Moment Gone Wrong
It all began when cameras captured a lighthearted moment courtside, where tennis star Carlos Alcaraz tossed his signed hat into the stands after a thrilling win. The hat appeared to be heading straight for a 10-year-old fan, who had been cheering for Alcaraz throughout the match. But before the boy could grab it, a man — later identified as Szczerek — lunged over two rows of spectators, snagging the hat midair and tucking it into his jacket.
The moment, initially brushed off as an overzealous fan being overly enthusiastic, quickly turned sour when footage went viral across social media platforms. Outrage erupted as thousands called out the grown man for robbing a child of what was clearly meant to be a special souvenir.
Internet Backlash and Corporate Fallout
What followed was a PR nightmare for both Szczerek and his company. Within hours, Reddit threads and X (formerly Twitter) posts began identifying the man in the video. Internet sleuths quickly connected the dots, and by Wednesday morning, #HatGate was trending across platforms.
Facing mounting pressure and severe brand damage, Neurovia Technologies released a terse statement early Thursday morning:
“Effective immediately, Piotr Szczerek is no longer affiliated with Neurovia Technologies. The values demonstrated in recent public events do not align with our company’s ethics or mission.”
Insiders claim the board held an emergency meeting Wednesday night to discuss the incident after investors began expressing concern. “It wasn’t just about bad optics,” said one anonymous executive. “It was a clear lapse in judgment, and we had no choice.”
An Apology Too Late?
Shortly after his termination, Szczerek issued a public apology via Instagram:
“I sincerely apologize for my actions at the US Open. In the excitement of the moment, I made a poor decision. I deeply regret disappointing my family, my company, and the young fan involved.”
But the apology did little to stem the wave of criticism, with many accusing Szczerek of only speaking up after facing consequences. The family of the young fan, identified only as Ethan, has since been contacted by both the US Open organizers and Alcaraz himself, who promised to send Ethan a new signed hat — and much more.
Lessons in Leadership and Decency
While the incident may seem minor in the grand scheme of corporate misconduct, it serves as a cautionary tale about how personal actions, even in seemingly trivial moments, can have major professional consequences — especially in an age where cameras are everywhere and the internet never forgets.
Executives and public figures are held to high standards for good reason: leadership requires integrity both inside and outside the boardroom. Szczerek’s moment of selfishness may have cost him more than just a job — it may have permanently tarnished his reputation.
As for young Ethan? He may not have gotten the original hat, but he’s become something of a folk hero among tennis fans — and now has the backing of a tennis champion, thousands of supporters, and a cautionary tale that he’ll probably be telling for the rest of his life.
