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Pirates fans protest against owner Bob Nutting during US Open

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jun 15, 2025 10:17 AM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates fans are taking their protests against team owner Bob Nutting all the way to the US Open.

A number of Pirates fans were in attendance for the US Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh. They made themselves heard on Friday after Scottie Scheffler teed off on the 16th hole.

After Scheffler teed off, a group of Pirates fans could be heard yelling “Sell the team, Bob!”

“Sell the team Bob” from the fans

Pittsburgh US Open undefeated pic.twitter.com/anz2ZNOCdK
— Reginald Beanstalk (@ReggieHoggedUp) June 13, 2025

This effort was coordinated, but Pirates fans hardly need to work together to share the sentiment. The chant has been heard at Pirates games, though the team’s TV broadcasts have seemingly tried to keep it from getting on television. They had no such ability here.

Nutting has owned the Pirates since 2007, and has been heavily criticized for a perceived lack of investment in the team. They have one winning season since 2015, and critics have made the argument that Nutting could afford to spend far more than he actually does to upgrade the roster.

Nutting has never shown any interest in selling, and there is nothing Pirates fans can really do to compel him to unload the franchise. As long as that remains the case, they will just have to try to shame Nutting publicly like this.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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