Dodgers player blasts MLB over 'steamy' Sydney Sweeney ad during playoffs - Here's why

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Call has triggered a new controversy after slamming Major League Baseball (MLB) for its steamy advertisement featuring American actress Sydney Sweeney. This ad has become a topic of interest due to its explicit nature, but Call finds it unimpressive. He is more concerned about whether such ads should be broadcasted on family-friendly networks. This statement of Call has come at a very important time when Los Angeles Dodgers are fighting in the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

WHY DID ALEX CALL SLAM MLB OVER SYDNEY SWEENEY'S AD?

According to the New York Post, Call took to X on Wednesday to express his frustration over advertisements appearing during postseason broadcasts. His comments came in response to another social media post questioning whether baseball broadcasts remain suitable for family viewing.

"Can we please get the soft porn ads off playoff broadcasts, TBS, Fox, NBC, @MLB? 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 wrote on X expressing deep concern about watching baseball with his son, questioning how he could explain the appearance of 'half-naked women' in commercials during a family viewing experience.



His complaint appeared to target Sweeney's promotional campaign for Novig, a sports prediction-market platform. The advertisement features the Euphoria actress posing without visible clothing while strategically positioned sports equipment covers her body.

Call’s problem was not merely the offensive nature of the ad. It was that parents should be able to watch baseball with their kids without having to worry about being surprised by a sexually provocative ad. The comments soon brought the campaign back into focus and raised concerns about the type of advertising that is allowed at such sporting events.

WHAT IS SWEENEY'S CONTROVERSIAL AD, AND HOW HAS IT SPARKED BACKLASH?

According to the New York Post, Novig campaign from Sweeney has turned out to be a hot topic in the MLB playoffs, owing to its provocative nature. Being a popular actress who has starred in shows like 'Euphoria' and 'The White Lotus', she is featured in ads for the prediction platform.

The criticism from Call also arrives at a time when the Dodgers are facing a tough situation in the postseason. The Dodgers were trailing by 2-0 in the NLCS as they played Game 3 against Milwaukee on Wednesday.



Interestingly, Call hasn’t made an appearance in any of the Dodgers’ postseason games in the current season. Call played in 88 games for the Dodgers in the 2026 season after playing seven postseason games in the 2025 season.

This controversy reflects the larger issue related to the standards for advertisements in televised sporting events that draw a wide variety of age groups. While provocative celebrity campaigns are meant to draw attention, Call thinks that baseball’s family-friendly nature should come first.