Sell the Team: Why Bob Nutting Is Public Enemy #1 in Pittsburgh

Sell the Team: Why Bob Nutting Is Public Enemy #1 in Pittsburgh

It’s not just a bad season. It’s a bad era.

For many Pittsburgh Pirates fans, frustration has boiled over into full-blown rebellion. Signs in the stands. Chants at PiratesFest. Even a fan posing with Bob Nutting himself — while wearing a "Sell the Team" shirt. The sentiment is clear: Bob Nutting isn’t just unpopular — he’s Public Enemy #1 in the ‘Burgh.

In this post, we break down the reasons why so many fans have turned against the man behind the Bucs, drawing from years of stats, spending habits, broken promises, and a city that’s sick of mediocrity.

A Losing Legacy: The Record Speaks for Itself

Since Bob Nutting officially took control of the Pirates in 2007, the team has posted just 3 winning seasons in 18 years. The golden stretch from 2013–2015 gave Yinzers a taste of hope, but since then? It's been a steady slide back into the basement.

Overall Record (2007–2025): 1,283 Wins — 1,528 Losses
Playoff Appearances: 3 (Wild Card exits)
Winning Seasons: Just 3 in 18 years 

This isn’t just rebuilding. This is refusing to build at all.

Follow the Money: MLB Profits Over Payroll

The Pirates’ 2025 Opening Day payroll ranks 27th out of 30 teams. Even as revenue from TV deals, MLB revenue-sharing, and concessions continue to flow, spending on talent remains low:

• 2025 Payroll: $89.9M (4th lowest in MLB)

• NL Central Rivals (Milwaukee): $109M

Nutting has invested in facilities like a Dominican training academy and Bradenton’s spring complex — but fans don’t watch spring training. They want wins at PNC Park.

Even leaked financials from 2007–2008 showed the team turned a profit during losing seasons — reinforcing the belief that Nutting is running the Pirates more like a hedge fund than a sports franchise.

Fans aren’t asking for Yankees money — they’re asking for effort.

The Talent Drain: Draft, Develop, Dump

Yinzers have seen this cycle too many times:

1. Draft a star prospect (McCutchen, Cole, Glasnow)

2. Develop them into elite players

3. Trade them once they’re expensive or due for a payday

Even Rowdy Tellez’s alleged $200K bonus dodge has become emblematic of how the front office trims corners rather than builds winners.

Every offseason feels like a clearance rack special. Not a playoff push.

Mixed Messages: Say One Thing, Do Another

In 2024, Nutting claimed GM Ben Cherington had payroll flexibility for deadline moves. But internal reports say the front office was told no significant money was available.

These contradictions — plus Nutting’s absence from fan events and surveys asking whether fans feel "the team is committed to winning" — have worn down any remaining goodwill.

It's not just that Nutting doesn't spend — it's that fans feel lied to.

Fan Backlash: The "Sell The Team" Movement

Pirates fans aren't just mad online. They've:

• Chanted "Sell the Team" at PiratesFest

• Crowdfunded local billboards

• Created protest shirts, banners, and memes

• Shared viral photos (including with Nutting himself)

👉 Grab the official "Sell The Team" Protest Shirt to make your voice heard in the stands and on the street.

Media & National Embarrassment

MLB insiders like Stephen J. Nesbit & Ken Rosenthal have publicly questioned Nutting’s motives and commitment. Multiple fan polls, local columns, and Reddit threads rank him among the worst owners in baseball.

“If you’re not gonna spend, sell.” — basically everyone not named Bob Nutting

The trades of stars like Amaris Ramirez and Josh Bell are still sore spots years later — not just for who left, but for what little came back.

Why It Hurts So Much

Pittsburgh is a city of loyalty — to its teams, its neighborhoods, and its work ethic. And Pirates fans aren’t just casual attendees; they’re generational diehards. They watched Willie Stargell, they remember Barry Bonds, and they dream of playoff fireworks under the Clemente Bridge.

But the last two decades have replaced hope with hopelessness.

Final Word: Time for a New Era

Bob Nutting may say he wants to win — but actions speak louder than press releases. Pittsburgh has waited nearly two decades for a competitive baseball team, and the patience is gone.

He’s not just the face of the Pirates. He’s the face of their failures.

Until ownership changes or spending priorities shift, the chorus will only grow louder:
SELL. THE. TEAM.

Support the Movement

✅ Buy the Protest Shirt
✅ Share this article with fellow fans
✅ Comment below with your own Nutting horror story

Because it’s time to bring winning baseball back to the 'Burgh — with or without Bob Nutting.