Latest news with #BrentColborne
New York Post
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
ESPN is broadcasting Savannah Bananas game at Clemson—Watch it for free
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. Banana Ball is coming to ESPN. Beginning today, ESPN and ESPN2 will broadcast ten Savannah Bananas games this summer, bringing the viral sensations into homes across the country. Banana Ball is an exciting take on baseball that emphasizes trick plays, showmanship, and fan participation, not unlike the exhibition take on basketball the Harlem Globetrotters popularized. The Savannah Bananas will spend the summer on the road, playing in MLB, NFL, and college football stadiums against the three other Banana Ball teams, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the Texas Tailgaters. Advertisement 'The Savannah Bananas have mastered the art of blending baseball with entertainment, creating an experience that resonates with fans of all ages, regardless of their baseball knowledge,' said Brent Colborne, ESPN Vice President of Programming & Content Strategy, in a press release announcing the partnership. savannah bananas at clemson Date and time: April 26, 7 p.m. ET April 26, 7 p.m. ET Location: Memorial Stadium (Clemson, South Carolina) Memorial Stadium (Clemson, South Carolina) Channel: ESPN2 ESPN2 Streaming: DIRECTV, Disney+ Banana Ball announcers Josh Talevski and Biko Skalla will be in the booth for the games, analyzing and explaining the rules of Banana Ball as the games go on. What time is the Savannah Bananas game on TV tonight? Advertisement The Savannah Bananas game is on ESPN2 tonight, April 26, at 7 p.m. ET. How to watch the Savannah Bananas for free: If you don't have cable, you'll need a live TV streaming service to watch the Savannah Bananas on TV. Our favorite live option is DIRECTV, which includes ESPN2 in its signature CHOICE package ($79.99/month for three months) or its MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/month). Other ways to stream the Savannah Bananas: In addition to airing on TV, the Savannah Bananas game will also stream live on Disney+ and ESPN+ for subscribers. Disney+ starts at $9.99/month, while ESPN+ has one streaming package for $11.99/month. You can also bundle both services with Hulu for as low as $16.99/month. Advertisement Savannah Bananas 2025 TV schedule: As we noted above, 10 Savannah Bananas games will air on the ESPN family of networks between now and August. All times below are ET. April 26 at 7 p.m. – Clemson University Memorial Stadium, South Carolina (ESPN2) – Clemson University Memorial Stadium, South Carolina (ESPN2) May 10 at 8 p.m. – Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee (ESPN2) – Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee (ESPN2) June 7 at 7 p.m. – Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina (ESPN2) – Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina (ESPN2) June 28 at 7 p.m. – Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. (ESPN2) – Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. (ESPN2) July 5 at 7 p.m. – Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts (ESPN) – Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts (ESPN) July 26 at 7 p.m. – Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (ESPN2) – Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (ESPN2) August 1 at 7 p.m. – Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland (ESPN) – Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland (ESPN) August 2 at 7 p.m. – Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland (ESPN2) – Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland (ESPN2) August 9 at 9 p.m. – Coors Field in Denver, Colorado (ESPN2) – Coors Field in Denver, Colorado (ESPN2) August 15 at 8 p.m. – Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois (ESPN2) Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping and New York Post's streaming property, Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on each streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she's also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
ESPN to broadcast 10 Savannah Bananas games from April to August
ESPN to broadcast 10 Savannah Bananas games from April to August Show Caption Hide Caption Kim Mulkey hilariously ejected from Savannah Bananas baseball game LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey threw the first pitch at a Savannah Bananas baseball game in Baton Rouge, but was ejected seconds later. ESPN will broadcast Savannah Bananas games this summer, offering a unique and entertaining twist on baseball. From April to August, these games will take place at MLB and football stadiums across the country, promising a one-of-a-kind baseball experience. The 10 Savannah Bananas games will be simulcast on Friday and Saturday nights on ESPN and ESPN2. What's more, these games will be available for live streaming on Disney+ and ESPN+, ensuring that fans can catch the action from anywhere. "The Savannah Bananas have mastered the art of blending baseball with entertainment, creating an experience that resonates with fans of all ages, regardless of their baseball knowledge," Brent Colborne, ESPN Vice President of Programming & Content Strategy said in a press release. "Their unique approach embodies two of ESPN's key goals: reaching new audiences and inspiring the next generation of youth athletes. With Banana Ball showcased on ESPN and Disney linear and streaming platforms, we are confident new, avid fans will be created." The first Savannah Banana game will take place at Memorial Stadium, home of the Clemson Tigers, on April 26 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. More: On Jackie Robinson Day, remembering the ultimate American hero Savannah Bananas schedule Here is the Savannah Bananas schedule according to ESPN (all times Eastern): April 26: 7 p.m. at Clemson University Memorial Stadium, South Carolina, on ESPN2 7 p.m. at Clemson University Memorial Stadium, South Carolina, on ESPN2 May 10: 8 p.m. at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on ESPN2 8 p.m. at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on ESPN2 June 7: 7 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on ESPN2 7 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on ESPN2 June 28: 7 p.m. at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on ESPN2 7 p.m. at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on ESPN2 July 5: 7 p.m. at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on ESPN 7 p.m. at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on ESPN July 26: 7 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on ESPN2 7 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on ESPN2 Aug. 1: 7 p.m. at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on ESPN 7 p.m. at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on ESPN Aug. 2: 7 p.m. at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on ESPN2 7 p.m. at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on ESPN2 Aug. 9: 9 p.m. at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on ESPN2 9 p.m. at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on ESPN2 Aug. 15: 8 p.m. at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on ESPN2 Savannah Bananas owner on 60 minutes "Banana Ball" is not just a game, it's an inclusive entertainment experience for everyone, regardless of their age or interest in baseball. The creator of the Savannah Bananas, Jesse Cole, often dresses in a yellow suit and recently shared with CBS's 60 Minutes that the entire game is designed to be inclusive for all types of fans. "The idea is to have something entertaining for everyone, like this 6-year-old leading a crowd warm-up, to appeal to all ages, baseball fans or not," Cole said. In 2015, Cole and his wife founded the Savannah Bananas as a summer collegiate baseball team. They observed that fans, including families, stayed until the end of the games due to various incentives, including all-you-can-eat food. This fueled Cole's dream of creating a faster and more exciting version of baseball, ensuring a family-friendly and enjoyable experience for all. (This story has been updated to change a gallery.)
New York Times
15-04-2025
- Business
- New York Times
ESPN to broadcast 10 Savannah Bananas games this summer on heels of MLB opt out
The Savannah Bananas are officially mainstream. Along with taking their showmanship on a 'Banana Ball World Tour' this summer, the exhibition baseball team will have 10 of its games broadcast on ESPN and Disney platforms, the company announced Monday. That slate will include games at Fenway Park, Camden Yards and the Clemson Tigers' Memorial Stadium. Advertisement The summer tour will kick off on April 26 at Memorial Stadium, the first of three games played in football stadiums — the Tennessee Titans' Nissan Stadium and the Carolina Panthers' Bank of America Stadium being the others. The games will air on Friday and Saturday nights on ESPN and ESPN2 and will be simulcast live on Disney+ and ESPN+, according to a news release. 'The Savannah Bananas have mastered the art of blending baseball with entertainment, creating an experience that resonates with fans of all ages, regardless of their baseball knowledge,' Brent Colborne, ESPN Vice President of Programming & Content Strategy, said in the release. 'Their unique approach embodies two of ESPN's key goals: reaching new audiences and inspiring the next generation of youth athletes.' ESPN and the Bananas previously partnered on a 'Bananaland' docuseries, and the network has broadcast a handful of standalone games in the past, including a July 7, 2024 game in Buffalo which averaged 460,000 viewers. The Bananas news comes less than two months after ESPN announced that it would conclude its coverage of MLB games after the 2025 season. The network, which has broadcast the league since 1990, opted out of a seven-year contract that averaged $550 million per year. 'Unfortunately in recent years, we have seen ESPN scale back their baseball coverage and investment in a way that is not consistent with the sport's appeal or performance on their platform,' MLB said in a February statement. '… ESPN's demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement.' In the league's counter withdrawal, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred called ESPN a 'shrinking platform' in a memo to team owners. Last week, The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported that MLB has held discussions about licensing its game package to networks and/or digital platforms. NBC, Google, YouTube and Fox are among those who have shown some level of interest in ESPN's package, according to sources briefed on the talks. Advertisement The Bananas are one of the greatest sports start-up success stories of the 21st century. In less than a decade, the Bananas have turned into the ultimate example of how a maniacal focus on fan-friendliness can generate intense interest and loyalty. Sell-outs are the norm, and every challenge of larger venues — 80,000 will fill Clemson's football stadium on April 26 — is easily hurdled. (Bookmark Sept. 13-14, when the Bananas go to Yankee Stadium.) To be sure: It is an 'apples and oranges' — or, more accurately, 'apples and bananas' — to try to compare Major League Baseball with the Savannah Bananas. But at a moment when ESPN is divesting from MLB, it is at least notable that the network will enthusiastically deliver valuable airtime to Bananaball. Even if ESPN isn't giving the Savannah Bananas a dime to broadcast their games, it is great summertime content for ESPN. Bananas games are intentionally constructed to finish in two hours, which makes them ideal for TV. And there is enough visual stimulation and peripatetic action to keep fans engaged. — Dan Shanoff, sports business managing editor
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ESPN and Disney+ to air 10 Banana Ball games this summer
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The Savannah Bananas have signed a deal with ESPN and Disney+ to air 10 of the team's games at iconic venues. Banana Ball will air beginning in April and continuing each month through August. The games will be played at historic venues like Fenway Park and Camden Yards. The teams will also play at Memorial Stadium, home of the Clemson Tigers. 'The Savannah Bananas have mastered the art of blending baseball with entertainment, creating an experience that resonates with fans of all ages, regardless of their baseball knowledge,' said Brent Colborne, ESPN Vice President of Programming & Content Strategy. 'Their unique approach embodies two of ESPN's key goals: reaching new audiences and inspiring the next generation of youth athletes. With Banana Ball showcased on ESPN and Disney platforms, we are confident new, avid fans will be created.' 'Our relationship with ESPN has been outstanding for the Savannah Bananas and for the sport of Banana Ball,' said Jesse Cole, founder and CEO of the Savannah Bananas. 'As the 'Greatest Show in Sports' makes its way to sold-out MLB, College Football and NFL Stadiums, ESPN is the perfect place to showcase the electricity of the game as we near the launch of the Banana Ball Championship League in 2026.' The summer of Savannah Bananas will be showcased on Friday or Saturday nights in primetime, on ESPN or ESPN2, with all ten games available on Disney+ and ESPN+. The full schedule of aired games can be found below. Game Date Time (ET) Network Location 1 Saturday, April 26 7 p.m. ESPN2, Disney+, ESPN+ Memorial Stadium (Clemson) 2 Saturday, May 10 8 p.m. ESPN2, Disney+, ESPN+ Nissan Stadium (Tennessee) 3 Saturday, June 7 7 p.m. ESPN2, Disney+, ESPN+ Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte) 4 Saturday, June 28 7 p.m. ESPN2, Disney+, ESPN+ Nationals Park (Washington, DC) 5 Saturday, July 5 7 p.m. ESPN, Disney+, ESPN+ Fenway Park (Boston) 6 Saturday, July 26 7 p.m. ESPN2, Disney+, ESPN+ Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia) 7 Friday, August 1 7 p.m. ESPN, Disney+, ESPN+ Camden Yards (Baltimore) 8 Saturday, August 2 7 p.m. ESPN2, Disney+, ESPN+ Camden Yards (Baltimore) 9 Saturday, August 9 9 p.m. ESPN2, Disney+, ESPN+ Coors Field (Denver) 10 Friday, August 15 8 p.m. ESPN2, Disney+, ESPN+ Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago) All of The Savannah Banana games will feature the team taking on The Party Animals, The Firefighters or The Texas Tailgaters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
