In today’s era of digital media and streaming services slowly assimilating into the norm, New York Yankees fans have endured a variety of different journeys in finding the game. The team entered a partnership with Amazon Prime Video to exclusively stream a handful of its games (largely on Wednesday nights), requiring fans purchase a membership to watch the action. The challenge for fans is knowing when and where to look, and it is something that has particularly agitated WFAN morning host Boomer Esiason.
“It’s not that I feel bad for the Yankees fans, but I do feel kind of like their frustration,” Esiason shared. “You’ve got to find them on Peacock. You’ve got to find them on Apple TV+. You’ve got to find them on Prime. And then you’ve got to find them on YES. When are they, where are they, and how do we find them? It’s ridiculous. This is as bad as the NFL. You talk about a money grab.”
On Sunday, the Yankees’ matchup against the Cincinnati Reds was featured on MLB Sunday Leadoff exclusively streaming on Peacock, part of the final year of a two-year contract reportedly worth approximately $30 million a year. It marked the third time in the last seven days the Yankees had not been televised on YES Network.
“I think most Yankee fans know how to find [YES Network],” co-host Gregg Giannotti said.
“It’s just insane,” Esiason replied.
While the New York Mets have not experienced any semblance of the Yankees’ sustained success over the years, they are in the midst of a five-game winning streak. Both Esiason and Giannotti spoke about the team’s resurgence after a slow start extensively on Monday morning and how they have been an entertaining and compelling product.
“So maybe some of these Yankees fans will turn to over to SNY to see the Mets hump one another instead?,” Giannotti asked. “You can’t find the Yankees game? Well, there’s Pete Alonso!”
