San Francisco, March 25, 2026 — Netflix is making a big play for baseball royalty, targeting all-time home run king Barry Bonds for its inaugural live MLB broadcast.
A Star-Studded Booth for Netflix’s MLB Debut
The streaming giant aims to deliver a memorable broadcast of the March 25th game between the Giants and Yankees.
- Netflix is pursuing Barry Bonds to be part of its broadcast team for the Opening Day game between the Giants and Yankees at Oracle Park.
- Bonds, if a deal is reached, would likely be present for pre- and post-game coverage.
- CC Sabathia is also being considered to provide a Yankees perspective, balancing Bonds’ strong ties to the Giants.
- Elle Duncan, formerly of ESPN, is expected to lead the presentation for Netflix’s sports programming.
The streaming service is hoping to create a splash with its first foray into live baseball, and tapping Bonds is a clear signal of intent. According to reports, Bonds would likely “be on site for the pregame and postgame” if an agreement is finalized.
Former San Francisco Giants player Barry Bonds waves as he arrives at a ceremony honoring Hunter Pence on the team’s Wall of Fame before a baseball game between the Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers in San Francisco, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. AP
To balance Bonds’ deep connection to the Giants—where he played for 15 seasons—Netflix is reportedly also pursuing CC Sabathia, a former Yankees pitcher. The move would provide a counterpoint and a strong voice representing the Bronx Bombers.
A New Era for Baseball Broadcasting
Elle Duncan, who left ESPN in November to become the face of Netflix’s sports programming, is anticipated to be the lead presenter for the game. This marks a significant shift in how baseball is presented to audiences, with a streaming giant entering the live sports arena.
Netflix’s deal with MLB, beginning this year, includes exclusive rights to a standalone, prime-time game to kick off the season for three years. The agreement also encompasses exclusive coverage of the Home Run Derby and the “Field of Dreams” game, scheduled for August 13 in Dyersville, Iowa, featuring the Phillies and Twins.
Bonds, whose playing career concluded after the 2007 season, hasn’t held a national broadcasting position since retiring. He currently works as a special advisor for the Giants and previously served as the Marlins’ hitting coach during the 2016 season.
CC Sabathia is also being eyed by Netflix for its Opening Day game. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Sabathia, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2025, has remained active in baseball media, appearing frequently on MLB Network and co-hosting the “R2C2 Podcast” with Ryan Ruocco.
Bonds recently made headlines in December when he once again fell short of induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, largely due to his association with performance-enhancing drugs.
