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Guess what happened when T-Mobile US's boss trolled AT&T's CES party
What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas
CES 2014 T-Mobile US chief executive John Legere posed for photos during a surprise appearance at rival AT&T's CES party – and was then reportedly thrown out by security.
Cheeky Legere was snapped swanning around the soiree in his usual bright pink shirt that has his company's logo emblazoned on it. AT&T staff then spotted tech journo Roger Cheng's tweet of the grinning chief exec:
Ran into @JohnLegere at the AT&T party. Yep, he crashed it. And still wearing the pink t-mo shirt. #CES2014 pic.twitter.com/gy9vGTJUEW
— Roger Cheng (@RogerWCheng) January 7, 2014
What followed was a textbook case for aspiring public-relations professionals on how not to handle a delicate situation: Legere, pictured at the party on Twitter, was then apparently confronted by security guards and removed from the event at the behest of AT&T.
Oh wow, security just escorted @JohnLegere out of the party. AT&T is not happy with my tweet. #ces2014
— Roger Cheng (@RogerWCheng) January 7, 2014
It is understood the T-Mobile US supremo obtained a pass into the shindig with the help of rap star Macklemore, who was performing at last night's bash. The evening marked the start of this year's CES, an annual showcase of entertainment gear held in Las Vegas.
The reported ejection was perfect for T-Mobile US, as tweeters then lambasted AT&T and hacks (yes, even El Reg) ran with the story. Legere himself later posted a photo taunting his rival mobile network:
Especially when you’re kicking out the competition from your party right @ATT ?!? pic.twitter.com/U5HSGP21ak
— John Legere (@JohnLegere) January 7, 2014
Thus far, neither cell operator has responded to requests for a comment on the brouhaha.
Already fierce competitors in the American wireless world, AT&T and T-Mobile US have been particularly catty with one another lately. Both companies are offering cash credit to folks who defect to their networks, and Legere earlier this month claimed AT&T is "uncomfortable" about its prospects in the face of new service plans from T-Mobile US. ®