๐ฅ SHOCKING: โI donโt want to see Black people appearโ โ Anheuser-Busch CEO Accused of Racism Amid Riley Greene Controversy
By National Media Observer โ July 20, 2025
A new controversy has erupted in the corporate and sports world after explosive allegations surfaced against Brendan Whitworth, the CEO of Anheuser-Busch. According to a whistleblower account, Whitworth allegedly blocked a marketing collaboration with MLB star Riley Greene for deeply troubling reasons that insiders claim were racially motivated.
The quote attributed to Whitworth โ โI donโt want to see Black people appear [in this campaign]โ โ has ignited a social media firestorm, with critics accusing the beverage giant of practicing discriminatory marketing tactics behind closed doors.
โพ Riley Greeneโs Snub Raises Eyebrows
The controversy began when fans noticed the sudden disappearance of Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene from a major summer marketing campaign sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, despite early rumors of a partnership. Greene, one of MLBโs rising stars, has drawn praise for his performance and growing fanbase, especially among younger and diverse audiences.
However, a former employee involved in the campaign development claims the decision to exclude Greene came directly from Whitworth himself, citing discomfort with โcertain demographicsโ being the face of the brand.
โHe didnโt say it outright in the first meeting,โ the source said. โBut the message was clear. Then he finally said it, and we were stunned: โI donโt want to see Black people appear.โ You could hear a pin drop.โ
๐ A Pattern of Discrimination?
This isnโt the first time Anheuser-Busch or its leadership has faced criticism. Following the Riley Greene incident, a former Black MLB player โ whose identity is being withheld for safety reasons โ came forward with similar experiences.
โThey loved my image until I started speaking out about injustice,โ he said. โThen suddenly, the calls stopped. I was dropped from campaigns, my name disappeared from press releases, and I was labeled โtoo political.โ Meanwhile, my white teammates kept their dealsโeven with worse stats.โ
Despite his success on the field and multiple community awards off of it, the player claims he was blacklisted from sponsorships and appearances.
๐ข Social Media Explodes: #BoycottBud Trends
Public backlash was swift and fierce. The hashtags #BoycottBud, #RacismAtTheTop, and #LetGreeneShine began trending across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, with fans, activists, and even fellow athletes voicing outrage.
Civil rights groups have begun calling for an independent investigation into Anheuser-Buschโs internal hiring and marketing policies. The NAACP released a brief statement saying, โIf these allegations are true, they are not just offensiveโthey are illegal. This must be addressed.โ
๐ถ Brendan Whitworth: Silent So Far
Despite mounting pressure, Brendan Whitworth has not publicly addressed the allegations. Anheuser-Busch issued a short response late last night:
โWe are proud of our diverse partnerships across sports and entertainment. The company does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.โ
But critics argue the statement fails to directly refute the claims, nor does it address the specific quote attributed to the CEO.
๐ค Industry Divided, Sponsors Under Scrutiny
Meanwhile, other companies partnered with the Detroit Tigers and Riley Greene are being pulled into the discussion. Some sponsors are distancing themselves from Anheuser-Busch, while others are privately reviewing internal correspondence to ensure theyโre not complicit in what some are calling โsystemic image curation.โ
One sports PR executive said off the record:
โIf brands are choosing faces based on skin color instead of story or achievement, thatโs not just unethicalโitโs brand suicide in todayโs world.โ
โ ๏ธ What Happens Next?
Calls for Brendan Whitworthโs resignation are growing. Greene himself has not commented directly on the scandal, but reposted a fan message on Instagram reading:
โYour talent is undeniable. Some people just canโt handle that.โ
As the investigation unfolds and pressure intensifies, one thing is certain: this story is far from over. And it may be more than just about one manโit could be a reckoning for corporate America’s lingering double standards.
