Red Sox Network Pulls Platner Senate Ad During Game

Overview

• A 15-second Graham Platner campaign spot that blamed private equity and Fenway Sports Group for hurting the Red Sox ran during a game and was taken off the air partway through the telecast on Saturday.
• NESN said it removed the commercial for unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property after reporters noted the ad used lettering and color similar to Red Sox branding.
• The Platner campaign said the spot was pulled midgame and suggested network ownership by Fenway Sports Group influenced the decision, while NESN pointed to its advertising standards.
• Barstool founder Dave Portnoy published email exchanges showing the campaign sought his help and publicly rejected the outreach while highlighting Platner’s covered chest tattoo that resembles a Nazi Totenkopf; Platner denies being a Nazi and says he covered the tattoo after learning its meaning.
• Platner is now the presumptive Democratic nominee against Sen. Susan Collins, and the episode has nationalized the race by raising questions about media gatekeeping, candidate messaging on private equity, and intensified character scrutiny that could affect voter attention and outside involvement.