Netflix is pursuing Barry Bonds to be part of its exclusive coverage on Opening Day when the San Francisco Giants host the New York Yankees on March 25th, sources briefed on the discussions told The Athletic.
If a deal comes to fruition, Bonds would be likely to be on site for both pregame and postgame. No agreement is in place yet.
On the Yankee side, Netflix is trying to sign Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, according to those same sources. Sabathia has previously been a regular on MLB Network’s “Clubhouse Edition” show and had a podcast with ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco. Sabathia has also occasionally appeared on the Yankees’ YES Network, but not as a regular contributor.
Netflix declined to comment.
Netflix inked ex-ESPN anchor Elle Duncan as its lead studio host for all of its sports. Duncan is expected to be the top presenter on both pregame and postgame programs for Opening Day.
Netflix has not yet named its play-by-player or game analysts for Opening Day. It is the first of a three-year agreement that the service agreed to with Major League Baseball. It will also host the “Home Run Derby” before the All-Star Game and the “Field of Dreams” game between the Phillies and the Twins from Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 13th.
Bonds, the all-time major league leader in home runs with 762, spent the final 15 seasons of his career leading the Giants. He retired in 2007.
While considered one of the greatest players of all-time, Bonds is not in the Hall of Fame due to his association with performance-enhancing drugs. He received 66 percent of the vote in his final year on the BBWAA ballot in 2022, which was nine percent short of the 75 percent needed for induction.
Bonds, 61, would potentially be a match for the Derby, as well, considering his home run prowess. If Netflix were to sign Bonds, he would not be the first to have a standout career marked by scandal to join a studio show.
Alex Rodriguez, who was suspended twice for performance-enhancing drug usage, has been with Fox Sports for nearly a decade. Prior to A-Rod joining, Fox had the late Pete Rose, who was suspended for life due to gambling.
Bonds previously returned to baseball after retirement when he was the hitting coach for the Florida Marlins in 2016.