Controversial Sprint Ad On Mt. Washington Billboard Replaced

PITTSBURGH, PA - Just in time for Memorial Day and Independence Day, the controversial Sprint advertisement on the massive billboard atop Mt. Washington has been replaced by an American flag.

Following two years of rancor and court battles over the Sprint sign, the National Flag Foundation has taken over as the billboard advertiser. Lamar Advertising, the billboard owner, rented the space to the foundation after its agreement with Sprint expired, Lamar attorney Jon Kamin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The new vinyl sign features a portion of the flag with the foundation's initials in the right-hand corner.

The 30-foot tall by 225-foot wide electronic billboard that has stood on the face of Mt. Washington since the 1930s. It's best known for being an electronic billboard for Bayer and Westinghouse for decades.

The Sprint sign went up in 2016, replacing a gray-and-white mosaic that spelled out “Pittsburgh.”

The city has challenged the Sprint ad in court, saying it violates zoning regulations. The case currently is before Commonwealth Court.