Graham Platner, Maine's likely Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, just got taken out of the ol' ballgame by the Boston Red Sox. A Platner campaign ad critical of the slumping baseball team ran at least once and then was yanked off the New England Sports Network during the game on Saturday.
Platner Responds to Ad Removal
Platner pointed out the removal and the change in momentum that followed for the Sox. 'Yesterday we started running this ad during the Red Sox game. Midway through the game the ad was taken down by the station (which is owned by the Red Sox ownership). And then the Sox blew a 4-0 lead,' Platner wrote on X.
NESN's Statement
NESN confirmed it pulled the commercial to The New York Times. 'NESN removes advertisements when credible concerns arise regarding the use of intellectual property. 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 statement said. The network did not elaborate on what the issue was, but perhaps the dissing of the Sox and their overlords combined with using a font and colors similar to the team's might have stoked their ire.
The Ad's Content
Platner, a military vet and oysterman who appeared with Sen. Bernie Sanders on his Fight the Oligarchy tour in Portland, Maine, over the weekend, swung away in the 15-second spot. The Red Sox's principal owner is John W. Henry, who runs Fenway Sports Group, which also has stakes in the Pittsburgh Penguins and Liverpool FC. In 2021, private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners bought 11% of FSG shares.
'Private equity has destroyed our favorite baseball team, stripping them for parts. 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,' Platner declares in the spot.
Red Sox Struggles
The Red Sox, currently in last place in the AL East, traded Betts to the Dodgers in 2020 and have not won a playoff series since. The team won the World Series with Betts in 2018.
Opponent's Response
The campaign team of Platner's Republican opponent, GOP incumbent Susan Collins, accused Platner of trying to 'change the subject' from his 'judgment and character' in a statement reported by the Times. HuffPost has reached out to Platner, FSG, and RedBird for comment.
