Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy publicly rebuked a political strategist tied to Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after being asked to collaborate on a Boston sports-themed advertisement criticizing private equity involvement in the Red Sox ownership group. Portnoy shared the email exchange on social media, mocking the outreach and sharply criticizing Platner over controversy surrounding a tattoo linked to Nazi symbolism.

In the exchange, strategist Jeff Coote pitched the advertisement as part of Platner’s populist message against private equity in professional sports and suggested Portnoy might be interested in joining the effort. Portnoy, who is Jewish, responded by questioning why he would work with someone associated with a Nazi-linked symbol and challenged Platner to address the issue directly.

The advertisement itself was later pulled during a game broadcast by the team’s regional sports network, which cited concerns about intellectual property use. Platner confirmed the removal and continued promoting his message online, blaming private equity for the team’s struggles and referencing the controversial trade of a former star player.