Netflix is reportedly in talks to include Barry Bonds in its special coverage for the Opening Day matchup between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees, scheduled for March 25th, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Should an agreement be reached, it is anticipated that Bonds would participate in both pregame and postgame segments. However, as of now, no formal arrangement has been established. On the Yankees' side, Netflix is also looking to secure Hall of Famer CC Sabathia for this event. Sabathia has a history of involvement with MLB Network’s "Clubhouse Edition" and has hosted a podcast alongside ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco. While he has made guest appearances on the Yankees’ YES Network, he has not been a regular contributor there.
Netflix has chosen not to comment on these developments. In a related move, the streaming giant has brought on board former ESPN anchor Elle Duncan as the lead studio host for all its sports programming. Duncan is expected to take center stage during the pregame and postgame broadcasts for Opening Day.
As of now, Netflix has yet to announce who will serve as the play-by-play announcer or game analysts for this highly anticipated event. This Opening Day game marks the beginning of a three-year partnership that Netflix has entered into with Major League Baseball. The platform is also set to showcase the "Home Run Derby" prior to the All-Star Game and the much-anticipated "Field of Dreams" game featuring the Phillies and the Twins from Dyersville, Iowa, on August 13th.
Bonds is renowned for being the all-time leader in home runs, with a staggering total of 762, and he spent the last 15 years of his career with the Giants before retiring in 2007. Despite being hailed as one of the greatest players in baseball history, Bonds has been notably absent from the Hall of Fame due to concerns surrounding performance-enhancing drugs. In his final year of eligibility on the BBWAA ballot in 2022, he received 66 percent of the necessary votes, falling short of the 75 percent required for induction.
At age 61, Bonds could also be a fitting candidate for the Home Run Derby given his legendary hitting skills. If Netflix successfully recruits Bonds, he wouldn't be the first athlete with a controversial past to join a broadcasting team. Alex Rodriguez, who faced suspensions related to performance-enhancing drugs, has been a fixture at Fox Sports for nearly ten years. Before him, the late Pete Rose, who was banned for life due to gambling, was part of their lineup.
In 2016, Bonds briefly returned to the baseball scene, serving as the hitting coach for the Florida Marlins after his retirement.
