Baseball Icons Criticize Provocative Ads During MLB Playoffs

The advertising content during Major League Baseball's postseason games has drawn criticism from prominent figures in the sport, with former Atlanta Braves star Dale Murphy and current Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Call voicing concerns over racy commercials and movie trailers.

The controversy gained public attention when Taylor Murphy, Dale Murphy's son, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to question MLB's choices for advertisements during playoff broadcasts. He specifically cited commercials featuring actress Sydney Sweeney promoting a sports prediction platform and actress Megan Fox advertising erectile dysfunction medication, alongside trailers for horror movies.

"Hey @MLB – wanna get more kids watching baseball? Maybe start with the commercials," Taylor Murphy wrote. "You’re not the Savannah Bananas. Just show baseball in a way I can leave on in my house."

His father, Dale Murphy, a two-time National League MVP and seven-time All-Star, publicly supported his son's stance. "Agree with my son, Taylor…" Dale Murphy stated, indicating a sentiment that baseball's traditional values are being challenged by the current advertising landscape.

Alex Call, who is not on the Dodgers' postseason roster, echoed these sentiments, directly addressing MLB and its broadcast partners. "Can we please get the soft porn ads off playoff broadcasts, TBS, Fox, NBC, @MLB?" Call posted on X. "My son wants to watch baseball with Dada, but how do I justify that when a half-naked women could come on screen anytime?? This is America’s Pastime. Parents shouldn’t have to worry about this."

Several of Call's Dodgers teammates reposted his message. At the center of much of the criticism is Sydney Sweeney's advertising campaign for the sports prediction platform Novig. One of her recent commercials reportedly features the actress in underwear, with the company's name visible and her body partially obscured by footballs. Sweeney has reportedly defended the campaign by drawing parallels to athletes who have posed nude for ESPN's Body Issue, a comparison that critics argue overlooks the distinction between celebrating athletic bodies and using sexualized imagery to market a gambling platform.

The debate has sparked discussion online, with some users questioning the focus on revealing advertisements over the promotion of gambling itself. Others have drawn comparisons to other controversial content, suggesting a perceived selective moral outrage. However, proponents of the criticism maintain that parents have a right to expect family-appropriate content during broadcasts of America's Pastime.

MLB has been actively pursuing strategies to attract younger audiences, including rule changes and increased social media engagement. Critics argue that the league's efforts to appeal to a new generation are undermined when its most high-profile games feature advertising that may alienate families. While MLB may not have direct control over all advertisements aired by its broadcast partners, the league is seen as having a vested interest in the overall viewing experience associated with its brand.