Pirates Fans Protest Bob Nutting with Plane Banner
A group of Pittsburgh Pirates fans took their frustration with team owner Bob Nutting to the skies by flying a plane with a protest banner over PNC Park.
On July 18, during the series opener against the Chicago White Sox, the plane carried a banner that read, “YOU SUCK AT THIS BOB. SELL THE @#$% TEAM.” This was not the first time these fans made their voices heard in this manner. Earlier in the season, before the home opener against the New York Yankees on April 4, the same group hired a plane to fly a banner that said, “Sell the Team Bob,” along with the website ourteamnothis.com.
According to Eric Bowser of DK Pittsburgh Sports, the group behind the plane protests is the same one that flew the banner at the home opener. They plan to continue these actions, weather permitting. The cost of the plane was reportedly around $4,000, with the fans hiring a private operator to fly the banner around Downtown and the North Shore.
This group, called “Our Team, Not His,” has organized several protests against Nutting, demanding that he sell the team due to their dissatisfaction with the constant losing. They’ve staged rallies in various locations, including Downtown, at PiratesFest, and on Federal Street before the home opener. They also confronted Nutting during the home opener, where fans wearing “Sell The Team” shirts expressed their discontent.
The “Our Team, Not His” group is pushing for a change in ownership, tired of the Pirates’ long-standing struggles and hoping for a return to competitive baseball. As part of their efforts, they’ve also launched a billboard campaign, placing signs around Pittsburgh with the message, “Abandon Ship, Bob! Sell The Team!”
“We’re a group of frustrated, passionate Pittsburgh Pirates fans tired of the endless losing baseball in our great city,” the group states. “Rather than sit idly and complain, we decided to do something to create discomfort within the organization and call attention to the blatant dereliction of duty in hopes to affect change.”
Since Bob Nutting took over as owner in 2007, the Pirates have had just four seasons above .500 and a staggering 20 consecutive losing seasons from 1993 to 2012. They’ve only made the postseason three times (2013-2015) but have never advanced beyond the NLDS.
The Pirates’ financial situation has also been a point of contention. The team had a projected Opening Day payroll of $89.9 million, which was significantly lower than other National League Central teams like the Milwaukee Brewers ($109.1 million). In fact, the Pirates’ payroll was the fourth-lowest in all of baseball.
Despite the team’s struggles, Nutting has remained in charge, with the Pirates holding a 1,322-1,587 record under his ownership. The team is currently 39-59, 19.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and well out of playoff contention. Fans continue to voice their displeasure, with “Sell The Team” chants frequently heard at PNC Park, especially during losses.
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