Staff Reports
Major League Baseball was in hot water on Friday after debuting its Pride-themed logo on Facebook. Just 24 hours after this bold move, the MLB swiftly removed the logo from their social media, possibly due to the onslaught of criticism they received. Thousands of users flooded the platform, expressing their displeasure with the new design, and it seems the MLB caved under the pressure, quickly reverting to their original logo.
IT IS WORKING!!!! @MLB just removed their “pride” logo overnight!
No more forced agenda!!! Keep pushing back! pic.twitter.com/w3xhAxQQB4
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) June 2, 2023
This decision by the MLB could signify their understanding of the danger of taking sides on polarized political and cultural issues, which could lead to an alienated audience. The backlash appears to parallel the ‘Bud Light effect,’ where a product endorsement by a transgender influencer resulted in significant backlash and decreased sales for the beer brand. Their sales have dropped for six weeks in a row, with a staggering 25% decline in the week ending May 13 when compared to the same period last year.
The MLB’s decision to quickly switch back to their standard logo seems to have been a preemptive move to avoid a similar risk. However, it is worth noting that this logo switch was also timed to coincide with another significant event.
June 2nd recently marked the third annual Lou Gehrig Day, which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ALS research. A special patch on uniforms and red “4-ALS” wristbands, accompanied by broader coverage across various platforms, marked the day’s activities.
It is possible that the strategic removal of the Pride logo may have been planned to make way for the Lou Gehrig Day commemorations. Regardless, the MLB’s decision to promptly remove the Pride logo suggests a wariness of potential backlash, a consequential display of business savvy from the MLB’s side.
Source: Trending Politics
