The Savannah Bananas' opening performance at the 2026 ESPYs awards show generated significant backlash, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and numerous viewers expressing strong disapproval. The viral baseball troupe, known for blending traditional sport with showmanship, kicked off the annual awards ceremony at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City on Wednesday night.
The team, clad in their signature yellow uniforms, performed their original song "The Show Starts Now." The performance featured choreographed dancing and lip-syncing, with former Broadway star Derek Klena handling the lead vocals. The song was produced by Grammy-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known for their work on "Dear Evan Hansen" and "The Greatest Showman." Rapper DJ Khaled also made an appearance, walking onto the stage to introduce the ceremony.
However, the performance was met with immediate criticism online. Dave Portnoy took to X, formerly Twitter, demanding the Bananas be removed from his television. In a video reaction, he questioned the performance, stating, "What the f*** is this? Get the Bananas off my f***ing screen." He expressed confusion, questioning if he was watching the ESPYs or a different program.
Portnoy was not alone in his criticism. Other viewers took to social media to voice their displeasure, with one commenter calling the performance "embarrassing" and another stating they would have immediately changed the channel. Some viewers suggested the performance was a sign of declining viewership for ESPN and the ESPYs.
Despite the widespread criticism, some viewers defended the Savannah Bananas, viewing the performance positively. One commenter suggested that sports fans should embrace the event's celebratory nature, comparing the team to the Harlem Globetrotters. Another defended the Bananas, noting their unique approach to baseball and calling "Banana Ball" entertaining.
The 2026 ESPYs ceremony was hosted by SNL star Marcello Hernandez and took place in New York. The broadcast also featured musical performances from artists including Fat Joe, Slick Rick, Ghostface Killah, and De La Soul.