Fox Sports Net Bans Andro Ads

Fox Sports Net will not run advertisements for androstenedione, the muscle-building supplement used by baseball slugger Mark McGwire.

ESPN, which first ran the commercial Tuesday for the supplement, pulled the ads a day later in response to criticism from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and a national high school federation.

MetRx, the company that placed the ad, had said the ads were scheduled to run on Fox Sports Net. But Fox spokesman Vince Wladika said Thursday no spots would run on the network.

MetRx has defended the ads, saying it has disclaimers explaining the pills should not be used by children under 18.

Debate about androstenedione grew last month after The Associated Press reported that McGwire, who broke Roger Maris' single-season home run record, has used the pills for more than a year. Sales have increased nearly fivefold in that time.

Andro raises levels of the male hormone testosterone, which builds lean muscle mass and promotes recovery after injury. The pill is legal in baseball, but banned by the National Football League, NCAA and Olympics.