In the world of live sports broadcasting, mistakes are inevitable — but when a network like ESPN repeatedly makes the same glaring error, it can turn into a moment of unintended hilarity. That’s exactly what happened during Fresno State’s bowl game in December 2024, when ESPN’s graphics team repeatedly referred to the team as the “Bulldongs” instead of the “Bulldogs.”
Yes, you read that right. ESPN, the network known for its high standards in sports coverage, couldn’t seem to get the name of Fresno State’s mascot right throughout the game, much to the amusement (and mild frustration) of fans. What started as a simple typo quickly turned into a viral moment, as social media users had a field day pointing out the mistake.
The “Bulldongs” Blunder
It all began during the first quarter of the Fresno State vs. [insert opponent] bowl game, when ESPN’s on-screen graphics, which typically display the team names, logos, and key stats, popped up showing Fresno State’s logo with the phrase “Bulldongs.” For a brief moment, viewers might have assumed it was just a one-off error — a typo that would be corrected in the next round of graphics.
But no. As the game progressed, so did the mistake. The “Bulldongs” label made multiple appearances on screen, with the error appearing in several different contexts: on the scoreboard, in player introductions, and during team highlights. Fans at home and in the stadium were left scratching their heads, wondering if someone at ESPN had a case of the Monday morning blues.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the network also displayed the error on social media platforms. Fans on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok were quick to catch the slip-up, sharing screenshots and videos, and the #Bulldongs hashtag began trending as fans poked fun at the situation. It didn’t take long for sports fans from around the world to get in on the joke, offering their own hilarious takes on the unfortunate mistake.
Why It’s So Hilarious (and Painful)
Let’s be clear — there’s no denying that this was a slip-up. Mistakes like these happen in live television broadcasts, and graphics errors can be tough to catch in the heat of the moment. However, there’s a certain irony that makes this particular blunder especially amusing.
Fresno State’s mascot, The Bulldog, is one of the most iconic in college sports. The team has a long and storied history, with passionate fans who take great pride in their school and its traditions. So when ESPN repeatedly got it wrong, calling the team the “Bulldongs,” it was almost as if they were *intentionally* poking fun at the very team they were broadcasting. It’s a bit like calling a famous basketball team “The Lakers” when their real name is “The Lankers” — a mix of absurdity and embarrassment that’s hard to ignore.
On top of that, the error wasn’t just a one-time slip. It wasn’t like a quick typo that flashed by and was corrected within seconds. The mistake persisted throughout the game, almost as if it was being played out live for all the world to see.
Social media, as it always does, became the perfect platform for the joke to snowball. Memes, videos, and hashtags poured in, with users wondering if ESPN was making the “Bulldongs” mistake on purpose, as some sort of inside joke that the rest of the world was too oblivious to understand. Others, of course, just had fun riffing on the situation, creating “Bulldongs” merchandise mock-ups, memes, and even fake game recaps.
ESPN’s Response
In the world of modern sports media, it’s not uncommon for big networks to make an apology when something like this happens. And ESPN did just that. After the game, the network issued a lighthearted apology on social media, acknowledging the mistake and assuring fans that they were working on getting the graphics fixed for future broadcasts. ESPN also took to Twitter to joke about the incident, posting a cheeky tweet that read: “Well, we’ve all been there. But hey, we’re committed to giving you the best game experience possible, even if we misspell the name of the Bulldogs.”
While some fans appreciated the network’s attempt at humor, others felt it was a bit too late. Still, ESPN’s quick acknowledgment of the mistake at least allowed them to get ahead of the joke, rather than let it fester for days. The network’s social media team, clearly aware of the viral nature of the incident, even joined in on the fun, sharing memes and responding to fans with playful quips about the error.
What This Means for Sports Broadcasting
While this is a funny story, it also highlights the growing role of social media in shaping how we experience sports broadcasting. Thanks to the immediacy of Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, viewers are now able to spot mistakes in real-time and share them with millions of people. This creates a feedback loop where networks like ESPN are forced to react quickly to missteps, sometimes even making the situation worse (or funnier) in the process.
For ESPN, the “Bulldongs” blunder serves as a reminder that even the most professional sports media companies aren’t immune to the occasional gaffe. It’s also a testament to the unique relationship between sports broadcasters and their audience — the fans are watching closely, and they’re not afraid to point out every misstep. In a way, the social media explosion over this typo only underscores how engaged today’s sports fans are with every aspect of the game, from the on-field action to the technical execution of the broadcast itself.
Conclusion
In the end, the “Bulldongs” mistake made Fresno State’s bowl game even more memorable than it would have been otherwise. While it was an unfortunate error for ESPN, it gave fans something to laugh about during the holiday season, and it added to the endless stream of viral moments in sports broadcasting. As for Fresno State, they might not have gotten the respect they deserved from ESPN’s graphics team — but the world of social media certainly gave them the attention they were looking for.
Hopefully, ESPN will double-check their spelling next time, but in the meantime, the “Bulldongs” moment will live on in infamy as one of the funniest and most endearing broadcast blunders of the year.
