Funny AND.... the way to go....
The Yankees and other baseball players backed up Pete Rose when Jim Grey went after Pete Rose a few years during an All star game. Rose was there for something else and Grey pressured Rose, "why dont you just admit to me, now, on TV so everyone can know, did you bet on baseball"???
So... the Yankees and other baseball players refused to talk to Grey until he apologized and pretty much promised not to go after Rose again.
Guess what... IT WORKED!!!
So I like your idea.