For a Minnesota minor league baseball group identified for a historical past of outlandish promotions, the concept of naming its longtime stay pig mascot after the load loss drug Ozempic made excellent sense.
The St. Paul Saints rapidly discovered that not everybody was amused by the pig’s title, Ozempig, or the group’s posting of a backstory concerning the pig’s embarrassment at gaining weight and promise to attempt to stay trim.
Nearly instantly after the group introduced the title this week forward of Saturday’s opening day sport, criticism started pouring in on social media from folks distressed by the title, calling it hurtful and insensitive.
Sean Aronson, the Saints’ vp and media relations director, stated the group solely needed an amusing, topical title for its pig when it selected Ozempig from practically 2,300 entries in its “Title the Pig Contest.” Group officers have been shocked that so many individuals discovered the title offensive, Aronson stated.
“In at this time’s world, folks don’t wish to be diminished, they don’t wish to be made to really feel a sure manner and I’m not going to inform them how they really feel is fallacious,” Aronson stated. “However I can let you know there was no ill-intent, there was no maliciousness, there was by no means even a dialogue within the room once we have been going over the title that hey, this may occasionally offend some folks.”
Ozempic is amongst a number of new medicine that been efficient at serving to folks lose vital weight. The medicine might be costly, relying on insurance coverage protection, however have drawn in depth consideration partly as a result of the have been promoted by celebrities and on social media websites.
The Saints’ pig is a beloved participant within the group’s video games performed at CHS Area in downtown St. Paul, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the a lot bigger residence of the Minnesota Twins in downtown Minneapolis. The animal carries out balls to the umpire and over the course of the summer time turns into noticeably bigger — a lot bigger in truth that one other younger pig takes over duties halfway by means of the season.
Naming the pig mascot after the high-profile drug appeared a pure for the Saints, a Triple-A affiliate of the Twins that has a protracted historical past of amusing promotions, reminiscent of attaching a fan to a Velcro wall within the outfield and holding races within the infield between folks dressed as big eyeballs.
With such previous stunts in thoughts, some Saints followers defended the title as a play on phrases and nothing extra.
Aronson stated group officers understood why some persons are outraged and thought of making a reputation change however determined to stay with Ozempig.
“We knew how we initially got here up with the title and we’re good with it however we did focus on it and determined we’re going to maintain it,” he stated.
Scott Mcfetridge, The Related Press
