Boston's new NWSL team apologizes after brand launch sparks backlash

The National Women's Soccer League's newest team, Boston-based BOS Nation, apologized Wednesday after its name reveal and brand campaign launch garnered criticism online.

The National Women's Soccer League's newest team, Boston-based BOS Nation Football Club, apologized Wednesday after its name reveal and brand campaign launch was criticized online.

BOS Nation, the 15th club to join the NWSL, revealed its name Tuesday alongside a citywide ad campaign called "Too Many Balls."

The campaign refers to an array of "balls," including old, new, steel, cold and goat "balls," with the last mention cutting to a video clip of former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady saying, "Wait, what?" The video also featured an array of Boston's professional sports teams, namely the New England Patriots, the Red Sox and the Celtics — which are all men's sports teams.

Many users on social media criticized the ad for its emphasis on male athletes. "Why are we making our NWSL announcement about men?" a user wrote on X.

Other users complained that the campaign assumes that only men have balls, arguing that it makes the campaign transphobic.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nwsl/bos-nation-nwsl-apology-rcna175741

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