Red Sox Network Pulls Senate Candidate's Ad Bashing Ownership

A 15-second campaign ad for U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner criticized Red Sox ownership and private equity. The ad used lettering in the same font and color as the Red Sox logo and included claims that private equity ruined the team and stripped local institutions. The ad referenced the trade of Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020. The ad began running during a Red Sox game but was taken down midway through the telecast. The network later confirmed it removed the ad due to credible concerns about unauthorized intellectual property and noncompliance with advertising standards, without specifying the exact issue.

"The network that broadcasts Boston Red Sox games has pulled a campaign ad from U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, who bashes team ownership in the spot. Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee, released a 15-second ad that features lettering that is the same font and color as the Red Sox logo. The team is owned by Fenway Sports Group, a conglomerate that also owns the Pittsburgh Penguins and Liverpool F.C. FSG, which is run by John W. Henry, also owns New England Sports Network, which airs Red Sox games."

"In the ad, Platner accuses FSG of having ruined the Red Sox and says he misses superstar Mookie Betts, whom the team traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020. Private equity has destroyed our favorite baseball team, stripping them for parts, Platner says in the spot. Private equity is buying up our homes, our sports, and our lives. I will reverse the private equity curse. I'm Graham Platner and I approved this message because I miss Mookie Betts."

"Yesterday we started running this ad during the Red Sox game, Platner posted on social media. Midway through the game the ad was taken down by the station. NESN aired the ad during Saturday's game, but the network stopped airing it partway through the telecast. On Saturday, NESN confirmed to The New York Times that it had yanked the ad."

"NESN removes advertisements when credible concerns arise regarding the use of intellectual property, the statement said. The advertisement in question was removed because the creative included unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property and did not comply with NESN's advertising standards. The network did not specify what the alleged intellectual property i"

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