The minor league team, St. Paul Saints, stated that it deliberated on a potential change but ultimately decided to retain the original name of the animal.
In a quirky twist for a Minnesota minor league baseball squad renowned for its offbeat antics, the notion of christening its longtime live pig mascot after the weight-loss marvel Ozempic seemed like an inspired idea.
Yet, the St. Paul Saints quickly found themselves embroiled in controversy when the pig was dubbed Ozempig, accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek backstory detailing the pig’s struggle with weight gain and determination to stay svelte.
Almost immediately after the team unveiled the name ahead of Saturday’s season opener, social media erupted with criticism, branding the name as hurtful and insensitive.
Sean Aronson, the Saints’ vice president and media relations director, expressed astonishment at the backlash, emphasizing that the team intended only to select a humorous and relevant name for its pig from nearly 2,300 entries in its “Name the Pig Contest.”
“In today’s climate, people are sensitive to feeling diminished or marginalized, and I respect that,” Aronson stated. “However, there was never any malicious intent behind the name choice. It was simply meant to be light-hearted and amusing.”
Ozempic, among a slew of new medications aiding in weight loss, has garnered attention for its efficacy, despite potentially high costs and varied insurance coverage.
The Saints’ pig holds a special place in the hearts of fans at CHS Field in downtown St. Paul, just a stone’s throw from the Minnesota Twins’ home stadium. The pig’s duties include delivering balls to the umpire and, over the course of the summer, visibly expanding in size, prompting a younger pig to take over halfway through the season.
For the Saints, a Triple-A affiliate of the Twins celebrated for its history of unconventional promotions like attaching fans to a Velcro wall in the outfield and hosting races with people dressed as giant eyeballs, naming their pig mascot after the high-profile drug seemed like a fitting addition to their repertoire.
Given the team’s penchant for inventive antics, some loyal fans defended the name as a clever play on words, dismissing any deeper connotations.
Aronson acknowledged the concerns raised by some individuals and revealed that team officials deliberated on the possibility of changing the name. However, after careful consideration, they opted to retain Ozempig.
“We understood the initial reasoning behind the name, and after weighing the feedback, we made the decision to stand by it,” Aronson explained. “While we respect differing opinions, we ultimately felt comfortable sticking with Ozempig.”