NESN pulls – NESN has removed a 15-second campaign ad from U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner after the network said it contained unauthorized third-party intellectual property and did not meet its advertising standards. The ad, which used Red Sox logo-like lettering and a
When Graham Platner’s 15-second campaign ad first appeared during a Boston Red Sox game on Saturday, it was meant to land with baseball fans in the middle of the action. Midway through the telecast, it disappeared.
Platner. the presumptive Democratic nominee. posted that “Yesterday we started running this ad during the Red Sox game. ” adding that “Midway through the game the ad was taken down by the station.” The ad bashes team ownership. saying Fenway Sports Group has ruined the Red Sox and tying his argument to the broader role of private equity.
In the spot. Platner accuses FSG of having “destroyed our favorite baseball team. stripping them for parts. ” and argues that “Private equity is buying up our homes. our sports. and our lives.” He says. “I will reverse the private equity curse. ” and ends with. “I’m Graham Platner and I approved this message because I miss Mookie Betts.”.
The ad includes lettering that matches the font and color of 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 is run by John W. Henry, and it also owns New England Sports Network, which airs Red Sox games.
New England Sports Network said it yanked the ad after what it described as “credible concerns” about the use of intellectual property. In a statement to The New York Times. the network said. “NESN removes advertisements when credible concerns arise regarding the use of intellectual property. ” and that “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 intellectual property issue was.
Platner’s campaign message is also anchored in recent team moves and performance. Henry bought the Red Sox in 2001. and since then the team has captured four World Series titles. more than any other team since that time. But in recent years, ownership has faced heavy criticism for trading Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020. The criticism has expanded to include trades involving third/first baseman Rafael Devers in 2025. along with complaints that the team has not spent enough in free agency to strengthen the offense.
The Red Sox are currently in last place in the American League East.
The timing of NESN’s removal—mid-game. after a start of on-air rollout—left a clear visual and political contrast for fans watching at home. One message was allowed onto the broadcast long enough to be seen; then it was taken down based on the network’s view of what could—and could not—appear on its airwaves.
NESN Graham Platner Red Sox Fenway Sports Group John W. Henry U.S. Senate race Mookie Betts Rafael Devers private equity advertising standards