New York Mets pride flag display during anthem sparks backlash and boycott threats

The New York Mets faced intense backlash after displaying a Pride flag on the stadium scoreboard during the national anthem, a bold move that led to widespread outrage and renewed calls for a Major League Baseball boycott.

This incident took place during the team’s ninth annual Pride Night at Citi Field, where a rainbow Pride flag replaced the American flag on the jumbotron as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played, according to ‘Yahoo! News’.

A video capturing this event, shared by @lisco_2000 on X, rapidly went viral. The controversy was heightened by the timing, as Flag Day is a noted occasion for national pride, and the U.S.A, Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C., added to the day’s symbolic significance.

Fans expressed their anger online, with boycott calls against the MLB gaining momentum.

“That’s disgusting,@Mets,” one user commented, while another stated, “Think the @mlb is looking to be boycotted.” The hashtag #BoycottMLB began trending as traditional patriotism supporters declared their intentions to withdraw both financial and emotional support from the league.

Neither the Mets nor Major League Baseball had made a public statement responding to the backlash.