SouthernWorldwide.com – Dave Portnoy, the widely recognized “Presidente” of Barstool Sports, has sharply criticized a political operative associated with Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. The operative had approached Portnoy with a proposal for a collaborative advertisement themed around Boston sports.
The advertisement in question was created by Platner, specifically targeting the involvement of private equity firms in the management of the Boston Red Sox. This move comes as the Fenway Sports Group, led by principal owner John Henry II, includes several private equity investors and also holds a stake in NASCAR’s RFK Racing team.
The strategist, Jeff Coote, initiated contact by writing, “Hey Dave, something different for you.” Coote characterized the ad as an illustration of Platner’s “populist streak,” while also expressing shared frustration over issues that “s—t people are p—ed off about like the Sox” and John Henry.
Following Coote’s further outreach on Friday, Portnoy, who is Jewish, responded with a scathing message. “Hey Jeff. Now this is the Nazi guy right? Yeah I’d be happy to talk to him about that tattoo and him being a Nazi,” Portnoy wrote, referencing Platner’s controversial tattoo.
“I’m not as interested in his baseball takes. Let me know when we can set up some time. Dave.”
When Coote replied with “nice one,” Portnoy retorted, “is that a no?”
Coote then indicated that he would consider connecting Portnoy with Platner if a productive conversation could be arranged between the two parties.
However, Portnoy was not yet finished with his response.
“If your boy isn’t a Nazi and can handle me 1 on 1 in a convo set it up. If he can’t you should fire yourself for thinking I’d want to glamorize this clown.”
Platner had previously faced significant backlash for his chest tattoo, which featured the Totenkopf, a symbol associated with the German Nazi SS paramilitary group.
Read more : GOP Worried Trump's Texas Endorsement Could Aid Democrats
After sharing the email exchange, Portnoy took to Twitter to express his continued bewilderment as to why Platner’s campaign would assume he would “want to play footsy with a Nazi.”
The advertisement itself also generated discontent from Henry’s group. Fenway-owned New England SportsNet (NESN) removed the ad during the Red Sox game against the Minnesota Twins on Friday.
NESN released a statement on Saturday explaining that they routinely retract advertisements that present “credible concerns” regarding intellectual property usage. Although the network did not provide specific details, it was noted that Platner appeared to have utilized a red font that is closely associated with the baseball team.
Platner also confirmed the ad’s removal on social media platforms.
The advertisement directly addressed Fenway, with Platner referring to the “private equity curse” affecting the team.
Platner further emphasized the private equity “curse” by commenting on X that the Red Sox “blew a 4-0 lead” shortly after NESN ceased airing the advertisement.
A firm named RedBird Partners acquired an 11% stake in Fenway in 2021. This acquisition occurred not long after the Red Sox traded their star outfielder to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, a transaction that Platner referenced in his ad.
“Private equity is destroying our favorite baseball team, stripping them for parts — Private equity is buying up our homes our sports and our lives,” Platner stated in the ad.
“I will reverse the private equity curse. I’m Graham Platner and I approve this message because I miss Mookie Betts.”
