In yet another controversial social media blast, tech mogul and X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk has stirred the hornet’s nest—this time by targeting one of baseball’s most iconic franchises. Musk posted on X early this morning that he would personally give $100,000 to any New York Yankees player who publicly rejects Pride Month, claiming it’s time to “end the woke era in sports.”

“$100K to any Yankees player who says No Thanks to Pride Month. No more forced corporate activism. Let players be real,” Musk wrote.

The post, within hours, exploded online—trending on multiple platforms and generating a firestorm of both support and outrage.

The Fallout: MLB, Fans, and Former Players React

The backlash has been swift from both inside and outside the baseball world. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, MLB fans, and even former Yankees legends have condemned Musk’s offer as a provocative attempt to undermine inclusivity in sports, accusing him of using athletes as pawns in a personal war on what he calls “woke culture.”

While Major League Baseball has yet to issue a formal response, insiders say league officials are “deeply concerned” about the growing politicization of Pride Month initiatives, especially as every MLB team—including the Yankees—prepares for scheduled Pride events and jersey nights throughout June.

A Yankees spokesperson declined to comment directly on Musk’s post, but reaffirmed the team’s ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community:

“The New York Yankees remain committed to creating an inclusive environment for all fans and players. Pride Month is an important part of that effort.”

Meanwhile, players have remained mostly silent. Sources close to the team say no Yankees player is expected to take Musk up on the offer, not just because of potential backlash, but because many quietly support the team’s stance on inclusion, regardless of political noise.

Musk: Free Speech Defender or Culture War Instigator?

Musk, never one to avoid controversy, has positioned himself in recent years as a defender of “free speech” and a critic of progressive social movements, particularly when they intersect with corporations and media. His latest move is being praised by some corners of the internet who see it as a pushback against what they call “corporate virtue signaling.”

But critics argue this isn’t about free speech—it’s about baiting athletes into division.

“There’s a difference between supporting free expression and offering cash to undermine inclusion,” tweeted one prominent LGBTQ+ sports advocate. “This is manipulation, plain and simple.”

What’s Next?

As Pride Month continues and MLB rolls out its series of community events and theme nights, all eyes will be on the Yankees clubhouse. While it’s unlikely any player will accept Musk’s offer, the fact that such a stunt was made—and the attention it’s getting—underscores the growing tension between sports, politics, and billionaire influence.

For now, the Yankees remain focused on the game. But Elon Musk’s latest play has ensured that the stadium spotlight isn’t just on the field—it’s on the values behind the pinstripes.

And that’s a battle no scoreboard can settle.