Finance

AOC Memorial Day Video Controversy Causes Minor League Team to Lose Sponsorship

By Daniel M

May 30, 2019

A Washington Nationals minor league baseball affiliate lost a sponsorship Wednesday, days after a Memorial Day tribute video showed an image of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., between dictators Kim Jong Un and Fidel Castro while former President Ronald Reagan spoke of the “enemies of freedom.”

Sun-Maid announced it had ended its partnership with the Fresno Grizzlies, according to the Fresno Bee.

“We are deeply disappointed by the Memorial Day tribute video the Fresno Grizzlies aired on Monday,” Sun-Maid told the newspaper in an email through a public relations firm. “Sun-Maid does not support the views or sentiments expressed in the video, nor does it condone the airing of it. While the Grizzlies have apologized for this mistake, we are standing on the side of what we believe is right and terminating our sponsorship of the team.”

Sun-Maid signage was prominent in left field of the Grizzlies’ ballpark. It’s unclear how long the two organizations had been partners.