Dodgers star Alex Call just ripped into MLB, Fox, TBS, and NBC for running what he called “soft porn ads” during playoff broadcasts, raising a huge red flag for parents watching with their kids. Call’s Oct. 13 post on X went straight to the point, asking the league and broadcasters to cut out the “half-naked women” popping up on screen. This isn’t just some random rant, it feels like a direct hit on those controversial Novig ads featuring actress Sydney Sweeney.
Call’s Call Out: “America’s Pastime” Under Fire
Picture this: you’re settling in with your kid to watch some playoff baseball, “America’s Pastime,” right? Then, out of nowhere, an ad shows up that makes you wonder if you accidentally switched to the wrong channel. That’s exactly the vibe Alex Call caught, and he didn’t hold back. “My son wants to watch baseball with Dada, but how do I justify that when a half-naked women could come on screen anytime??” he posted. That’s a fair question, honestly. He’s saying parents shouldn’t have to stress about this kind of stuff when trying to share the game they love. While Call didn’t name Sweeney or Novig directly, his mention of “half-naked women” is pretty clearly aimed at those sports betting ads where Sweeney appears semi-nude, strategically covered by basketballs, footballs, and other equipment. It’s a look that’s got a lot of people talking, and not always in a good way.
When Athletes Speak Up: The Novig Ad Controversy Heats Up
It’s not just Call feeling this way. Women athletes have been vocal about the Novig ad for a while now. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus slammed it on Instagram, asking, “How do we live in a world where monetizing a woman’s body and sexualizing women’s sport is still a thing?” That hits hard, especially when you think about everything female athletes put into their careers. Even Powerade jumped into the conversation, flipping Novig’s “Just Sports” campaign into “Never Just Sports,” making it clear they’re all about the athletes themselves. The brand’s senior director of marketing told Inc. that as the conversation around how women are portrayed in sports grew, Powerade felt it was crucial to share their perspective and stand by what’s always been core to their brand: the athletes. It’s a statement, no doubt.
Novig’s Defense and Sweeney’s Silence
Novig CEO Jacob Fortinsky spoke last month about the ads, saying Sweeney was “driving a lot of the visuals and the messaging” and that working with her creatively was “very exciting.” He also added that Novig is “hugely supportive of women’s sports” and “never intended to portray female sports,” clarifying that “Sydney’s an actress, the biggest movie star in the world.” Sounds like they’re trying to walk a fine line, but the optics are still tough for many. As for Sweeney herself, she hasn’t directly addressed the controversy, though she did share several covers from ESPN’s “The Body” issue on her Instagram Story, where some women athletes were also shown semi-nude. It just adds another layer to this whole conversation, doesn’t it?
Right now, MLB hasn’t said a peep in response to Call’s comments. You gotta wonder how long they can stay silent on this. What will it take for them to step up and address the concerns of players and parents? Keep your eyes peeled, because this conversation isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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