LOS ANGELES — The MLB postseason is delivering plenty of drama on the field, but one Dodgers outfielder is fed up with what's happening between innings. Alex Call took to social media Wednesday morning to demand that the league and its broadcast partners stop airing Sydney Sweeney's controversial Novig commercial during playoff games.
The ad, part of Novig's "Just Sports" campaign that debuted a month ago, features the Euphoria star covering herself with footballs and other sports equipment. It has aired repeatedly during both the ALCS and NLCS, and Call believes that's a problem when so many young fans are tuned in.
"Can we please get the soft p–n ads off playoff broadcasts, TBS, Fox, NBC, @MLB?" Call wrote. "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."
Call's message struck a chord with parents across the country. One fan responded on X, thanking the outfielder and noting that their Dodgers-obsessed son watches more games than they do, forcing them to stay vigilant during every commercial break. Another simply called the situation "absolutely ridiculous."
The backlash isn't new. Novig CEO Jacob Fortinsky addressed the criticism a few weeks ago, telling the New York Post that his company is "hugely supportive of women's sports" and never intended to portray female athletics. He emphasized that Sweeney is an actress and that the prediction market is focused on sports — the story she was communicating in the spot.
Sweeney herself has said she partnered with Novig because she believes in the company's leadership. She has not commented on the anger from baseball fans.
For Call, the issue is personal. The Dodgers are in the thick of a grueling playoff run, and the team is already dealing with its share of off-field noise. Los Angeles has faced questions about whether to bench a struggling Ohtani and has watched ticket prices plummet as fans bail on an 0-2 hole. The last thing the club needs is another distraction — even if this one is coming from the broadcast booth rather than the clubhouse.
Still, Call's stance raises a broader question about advertising standards during live sports. The postseason draws millions of viewers, many of them families who expect a certain level of decorum. Whether MLB or its network partners will respond to his call remains to be seen, but the conversation is clearly not going away.
For now, Call has done what few players do: he's used his platform to advocate for parents in the stands and on the couch. Whether the ads disappear or not, he's made it clear where he stands — and plenty of fans are standing with him.
