'My Son Wants To Watch Baseball': Dodgers Star Says Sydney Sweeney Ads Look Like 'Soft Porn' Now

Sydney Sweeney's provocative ad drew massive criticism from not only internet users but professional athletes as well.

LA Dodgers outfielder Alex Call blasted the actress's sports betting commercial, arguing that her ad airing during Major League Baseball matches is inappropriate for the families who watch it.

The athlete called on MLB and its broadcasting partners to remove what he called 'soft p-rn' ads, citing the actress's campaign for sports prediction platform Novig.

His comments are just one of many in the slew of criticism Sweeney and Novig face in response to their risqué promotions.

Alex Call Criticises Sydney Sweeney's Ads and Asks Sports Associations To Stop Airing Them

Call took to X to voice his frustrations about the ad, responding to baseball fan Taylor Murphy's post complaining about the advertisements airing during match broadcasts.

Murphy questioned whether the league could attract viewers from younger demographics by making its commercial breaks more suitable for family viewing.

'Wanna get more kids watching baseball? Maybe start with the commercials,' Murphy wrote, describing ads such as 'Megan Fox selling ED pills in a red bodysuit', the 'scariest movie trailer you've ever seen', and 'Sydney Sweeney in zero clothes promoting betting on sports.'

Call agreed with Murphy and directed his frustration at MLB and the networks broadcasting the postseason games.

'Can we please get the soft p-rn ads off playoff broadcasts—TBS, Fox, NBC—@MLB?', he wrote in a quote retweet of Murphy's post. 'My son wants to watch baseball with Dada, but how do I justify that when a half-naked woman could come on screen anytime?? This is America's Pastime. Parents shouldn't have to worry about this.'

The Dodgers outfielder's comments drew even more attention to the controversial marketing stunt, with many other athletes joining in on the criticism.

Novig's Suggestive Sydney Sweeney Ad Draws Controversy

Sydney Sweeney's ad is promoting Novig, a prediction-betting app that promotes trading and wagering on sports-related outcomes.

In the original advertisement, the Euphoria actress appears naked while strategically covering her body with sports equipment, using her provocative body image to draw attention to the platform's focus on sports.

The commercial divided viewers, with some treating it as provocative marketing and many others questioning whether the presentation is appropriate for the nature of the company.

Sweeney has not responded to Call's criticism of the campaign, but said she believes in the company's leadership and message.

Another Novig ad with Sweeney was released on 11 October, further escalating the discussion and criticism. In the newer commercial, she appears wearing branded underwear and holding footballs against her chest as she draws attention to herself.

'There are grown men making spreadsheets to bet on what color underwear I'm wearing,' she says in the ad. 'I mean, I'm flattered?'

Novig seems to be doubling down on the provocative nature of Sweeney's public image, drawing criticism from not only sports fans but female athletes as well.

Female Athletes Blast Novig's Campaign With Sydney Sweeney

Call is not the first person in the sporting world to criticise Novig's advertisements.

Several female athletes objected to the campaign, arguing that the emphasis on Sweeney's body reinforces the same stereotypes that they have spent years challenging.

Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus was among those who expressed concern over the approach taken by Novig in portraying women's bodies.

Former UCLA gymnast Gracie Kramer also criticised the broader message, arguing that female athletes have worked to be recognised for their performance rather than their appearance.

Despite the complaints, Novig defended the campaign. According to The Daily Beast, Novig's CEO Jack Fortinsky said the business strongly supports women's sports and does not attempt to portray Sweeney as a female athlete, instead describing her as an actress delivering a message about the platform.

Sweeney responded to the criticism by posting images of famous athletes posing nude in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue.