Democratic Senate Candidate's Anti-Private Equity Ad Pulled from Red Sox Game Broadcast

A Democratic Senate candidate, Graham Platner, aired a critical ad during a Boston Red Sox game, blaming private equity for the team's decline. The ad was pulled midway due to alleged intellectual property violations. Platner, running against Senator Susan Collins, promises to "reverse the private equity curse" and mentions missing traded player Mookie Betts. The ad's removal was attributed to unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property by NESN. Platner’s campaign has garnered national attention for its progressive platform and unorthodox approach. Collins, a long-serving Republican, faces a challenging race. The ad’s controversy may impact public perception of the Red Sox ownership and Platner’s campaign.

Platner, a Marine Corps veteran and oyster farmer, has built a campaign on progressive policies. His ad referenced a 2021 Axios report detailing the Red Sox owner’s sale of an 11% stake to a private equity firm. The campaign’s use of the ad during a game sparked immediate backlash from NESN, which partly owns the Red Sox. While the specific copyright issue remains unclear, the move highlights the sensitivities around criticizing team ownership in public forums.