ESPN had a certified hit with The Last Dance. The network hoped that meant that there was an interest in sports documentaries during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the ratings for the first part of Lance proved that isn’t the case.
Now, ESPN is reaching a little further back in hopes of generating some ratings success. The last live event that ESPN aired that generated major ratings was the NFL Draft. The World Wide Leader is hoping that there is enough interest in Major League Baseball that its draft can produce similar success.
Starting June 10, ESPN will carry the first five rounds of Major League Baseball’s entry draft over the course of two nights. Round one will air on ESPN. Rounds 2-5 will air on ESPN2 on June 11. Just like the NFL Draft, MLB’s will be a mostly virtual affair, with all 30 MLB GMs connected via a video link in their home.
Karl Ravech will anchor the coverage from Bristol alongside MLB Draft expert Kiley McDaniel. Chris Burke, Jessica Mendoza, Jeff Passan, Eduardo Perez and Kyle Peterson will all provide analysis remotely.
This may be the only live Major League Baseball content ESPN has to offer in 2020 as the players and owners remain far apart on a financial agreement that would clear a path for a shortened 2020 season. Otherwise, it is hard to imagine the network would have interest in televising the draft.
Major League Baseball’s Entry Draft has been televised in the past by both ESPN and the MLB Network, but has never drawn strong ratings. College baseball doesn’t enjoy the national profile college football and college basketball though. That, combined with the number of prospects drafted right out of high school results in little interest in the event from anyone but hardcore baseball fans.
