Dave Portnoy screamed for the Savannah Bananas to vanish from his screen after their 2026 ESPYs debut. The viral baseball team opened the awards show with a song and dance, but the reception turned ugly fast. Barstool Sports founder Portnoy called the performance an absolute disaster on social media. And here’s the thing: he didn’t hold back.
The Backlash Explodes
The Bananas performed their original song “The Show Starts Now” at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City. Dressed in yellow, the team danced and lip-synced before DJ Khaled took the stage. But the fun stopped for many viewers the moment the performance began. Portnoy took to X and wrote, “GET THE F—ING BANANAS OFF MY TV!!!!” per reports. He posted a video reaction where he shouted, “What the f—? What the f— is this?” The founder claimed he was watching a different show on ABC before the Bananas appeared. He added, “Get the Bananas off my f—ing screen. What the f— are the Bananas doing?” His anger focused on a player doing a pirouette, which he demanded be removed immediately.
That’s a lot of rage. Look, the numbers don’t lie. This wasn’t just a mild dislike; it was a full-blown eruption of frustration from a guy who knows the game inside and out. He wanted pure baseball, not this circus act interrupting his evening.
Fans Divided on the Spectacle
The reaction online split the fanbase down the middle. Some viewers agreed with Portnoy’s harsh take. One person wrote, “This is an abomination and blasphemy against baseball.” Another user stated, “They turned the ESPYS into a halftime show.” A third commenter said, “Good thing I’m not watching. I would’ve turned it off instantly.” Some critics felt the team ruined the sport by acting like clowns with huge egos. Yet, other fans rushed to defend the group. They noted the team brought their show to Yankee Stadium for the second straight year in April. One defender wrote, “It’s sad how many sports fans lack self awareness.” The Bananas were produced by Grammy-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. These writers created music for “Dear Evan Hansen” and “The Greatest Showman.”
Classic misdirection. The production value is actually massive. You can’t deny the talent behind the scenes, even if the execution feels like a Broadway musical gone wrong for traditionalists. It’s a genuine clash of cultures here.
Why This Matters
This clash highlights a deep divide in what modern sports entertainment should look like. Traditionalists want pure competition, while the Bananas offer a carnival of stunts and music. Portnoy’s outburst shows that even viral success can alienate core fans who value tradition. The 2026 ESPYs chose a theatrical opening over a standard athlete tribute, and the risk paid off in controversy. The New York Post reported that the team was ripped by viewers immediately after the broadcast. This moment proves that changing the format of a major awards show carries heavy consequences.
Think about that.
When you mess with the formula, you’re inviting chaos. The bottom line is simple: you can’t please everyone when you’re trying to reinvent the wheel. The executives took a gamble, and the backlash was the price of admission.
The Bananas will likely ignore the hate and keep booking big stages. They have built a brand on breaking the rules of baseball. Portnoy’s demand to get them off TV is unlikely to stop their momentum. The next time they perform, the debate will start all over again. Fans must decide if they want baseball or a Broadway show on the diamond.
No kidding. The only way this ends is if they stop playing, or if the fans finally adapt. Until then, the noise continues.
