David Ortiz deserves all criticism for controversial new sports partnership
David Ortiz’s latest business venture is painfully disappointing
In 2013, days after Boston was devastated by the Marathon Bombing, David Ortiz stepped onto the field at Fenway Park and delivered a speech that would immediately become one of the greatest moments in sports history.
Addressing the first responders, his team, and thousands of Boston Red Sox fans that day, he found the words the city needed to hear:
“This is our ***ing city. And nobody’s going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.”
The second those words left his lips, he was no longer just a Red Sox legend, but an American hero. The FCC announced they wouldn’t fine him for swearing. President Obama called it one of the proudest moments of his presidency. In that moment, Ortiz refused to cower, and in doing so, he made Boston stronger.
That’s why it’s so disappointing to see his latest venture, partnering with LIV Golf. Ortiz is now being paid to promote a golf tournament financed by the Saudi government. It’s one of the wealthy country’s continued efforts to sportswash their many crimes and human rights violations. They uphold terrifying gender laws, which treat women like property, not people. Saudi women live heavily restricted lives with virtually zero freedoms. Saudi Arabia also persecutes LGBTQ+ people.
For years, the Saudi government has denied that they supported the terrorists who carried out the September 11th attacks. The government has been accused of financing al Qaeda, as well as helping the specific hijackers who carried out the attacks; 15 of the 19 terrorists involved were Saudi citizens, including Osama bin Laden.
Families of 9/11 victims protested LIV events this summer. Nearly 2,500 spouses and family members wrote an open letter to the PGA Tour, thanking the golfers who weren’t lured away by LIV’s dirty money. In July, Cozen O’Connor, the law firm at the forefront of the 2003 lawsuit against Saudi Arabia on behalf of 9/11 victims and their families, cut ties with golfer Jason Kokrak after he joined LIV’s tour.
“To those many of you who chose to remain loyal to the PGA Tour — and did not defect to the Saudi Arabia-bankrolled LIV Golf Series — we thank you and the sponsors who support you,” the letter read. “Thank you for standing up for decency. Thank you for standing up for the 9/11 Families. Thank you for resisting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to cleanse its reputation by buying off professional athletes.”Open Letter to the PGA Tour
Ortiz earned over $150M playing baseball. He continues to earn money from fan apparel bearing his name and retired No. 34. He commands hefty appearance and signing fees and has several licensing deals. Then there are his many lucrative sponsorships, including Dunkin Donuts, Eastern Bank, Zenni Optical, and his new cannabis line. He’s also signed to a long-term deal with FOX Sports.
In other words, Ortiz has already made more money in his life than anyone could ever need. But more importantly, he saw how 9/11 devastated and permanently changed America. And he was intimately involved with helping Boston heal from their tragedy. And yet, here we are.
2,977 people died on September 11, including a 37-year-old man who worked as a locksmith in the World Trade Center.
His name was also David Ortiz.
