ESPN is getting torn to shreds online after the Savannah Bananas opened the 2026 ESPY Awards with a three-minute performance that left many viewers cringing.
The viral barnstorming baseball team, dressed in their signature yellow uniforms, kicked off the annual sports award show Wednesday at Lincoln Center in New York City with an energetic performance of their first original song, “The Show Starts Now,” which was released today.
As Broadway star and new Bananas player Derek Klena belted out the song, his teammates danced in a choreographed performance that featured backflips and a person on stilts before DJ Khaled came onstage to introduce the rest of the ceremony, which was MCed by Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernandez.
The Greatest Showman-esque presentation was met with modest applause from the award show’s audience, while critics online were quicker to complain about the theatrics.
“I don't watch The ESPY’s because all awards shows are silly to me. But this is how ya start the show?” one viewer wrote on X. “I understand the Savannah Bananas are filling football stadiums and it’s great fun for the family. But this is some cornball stuff...”
The Savannah Bananas open up The 2026 ESPYS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WDRh2g7e0L
— ESPN (@espn) July 16, 2026
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy wrote on X: “GET THE F***ING BANANAS OFF MY TV!!!!” In a video he shared with his reaction to the broadcast, Portnoy said: “What the f***? What the f*** is this? Get the Bananas off my f***ing screen. What the f*** are the Bananas doing?
“What is this, the ESPYs? I don’t even know what channel this is on. I was watching Chronicle on ABC, I look up and the Bananas are on my TV,” he said. “This guy’s doing a pirouette. Get the Bananas off my TV!”
Another added, “I've defended the Savannah Bananas and still think they have value, but I'm not gonna lie this is the worst thing my eyes have ever seen.”
One person wrote: “Holy f*** this is the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life and that’s saying a lot.” Another joked, “This is an abomination and blasphemy against baseball.”
The Independent contacted the Bananas for comment but has not heard back.
The Savannah Bananas were founded by Jesse and Emily Cole in 2016 in an attempt to make baseball more entertaining and fan-centric. The Georgia-based outfit, which resembles traditional baseball with some unique rules, became a national phenomenon for its viral moments and cheeky humor as players and umpires are known for breaking out into song and dance during the game.
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