Sydney Sweeney’s ad during the playoffs gets a blunt ‘soft p**n’ verdict from a Dodgers outfielder who blames MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Call has criticized Major League Baseball over a Sydney Sweeney sports betting commercial airing during the postseason, arguing that its content is not suitable for family viewing. Call raised the issue on social media on October 14, saying he struggles to explain the advertisement to his young son when they watch baseball together. His complaint puts the spotlight on a question MLB and its broadcast partners face during playoff games: how should they balance commercial deals with the expectations of families watching one of America's most popular sports? Call's objection was direct, and he made his reason personal.Alex Call calls out MLB over Sydney Sweeney’s playoff adCall quote-tweeted a post criticizing commercials shown during the MLB postseason and took particular issue with an ad featuring Sweeney. The actress appears nude but is covered by sports balls in the sports betting campaign. For Call, the problem was not simply the advertisement's suggestive presentation. It was the possibility of it appearing unexpectedly during a game watched by children.“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.The wording made his concern clear. Call wants baseball broadcasts to remain suitable for parents who watch games with their children, without having to anticipate what might appear during a commercial break.His criticism also places MLB's role in the conversation. Playoff games reach large audiences across several networks, and advertisements form a key part of the broadcast business. But viewers do not always agree on what belongs in that setting, particularly when a campaign relies on sexual imagery to attract attention.Call was not on the Dodgers' postseason roster, according to Men's Journal. His comments therefore came from outside the team's active playoff lineup, even as Los Angeles faced pressure on the field.Sweeney releases another version of the commercialSweeney has since posted a new version of the campaign on social media. In the latest ad, she appears wearing only white Novig underwear while addressing the attention surrounding betting markets tied to her clothing.“There are grown men making spreadsheets to bet on what color underwear I’m wearing,” Sweeney says in the commercial. “I mean, I’m flattered?”The new version gives the campaign another talking point, but Call's complaint focuses on where such advertising appears rather than on Sweeney personally. His post questions whether viewers should encounter this material during mainstream baseball broadcasts, where parents may expect to watch games with their children without worrying about suggestive content.Sweeney has not publicly responded to Call's criticism, according to Men's Journal. The exchange also leaves an important distinction: an advertisement designed to provoke attention may work as a marketing campaign, but that does not mean every viewer will welcome it during a live sporting event.For MLB, the debate reaches beyond one commercial. Networks carry postseason games to broad audiences, and advertisers want campaigns that stand out. Call's objection highlights the tension between those commercial interests and the family-friendly image baseball has long promoted. Whether his criticism leads to any change in how the ads are placed or selected remains unclear.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.