Source: Fortune.com
Summary
Graham Platner, Maine’s Democratic Senate nominee, released an ad criticizing the Boston Red Sox ownership for ruining the team, but it was pulled by the New England Sports Network (NESN) due to unauthorized use of intellectual property. Platner used the removal to push his populist message, accusing private equity of making lives worse. The ad mentioned the team’s decline since a private equity deal in 2021 and referenced the trade of Mookie Betts. Platner’s campaign has been dogged by questions about his judgment and character.
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Platner’s ad was pulled, but his message remains. The Red Sox’s decline since the private equity deal is a sore spot for fans. NESN’s decision to remove the ad has given Platner a new talking point. FSG’s ownership and private equity involvement have become a campaign issue. Platner’s use of the Red Sox as a symbol of private equity’s negative impact is a calculated move to appeal to voters.
The announcement sounds familiar: a politician using a popular sports team to make a point about economic inequality.
Author: Evan Null
