The Atlanta Braves began their road trip to Toronto last night with an 8-4 win over the Blue Jays. However, the story wasn’t what happened on the field but rather off it. During a live segment on FanDuel Sports Network in the middle innings, field reporter Wiley Ballard approached two female fans in attendance at a rooftop bar in Rogers Centre. After asking if they were Braves fans, he then casually asked their names and for their numbers on air, which, in the end, he received.
Subsequently, following the lighthearted moment being posted online, feedback was quick to criticize the reporter for the action, saying it was unprofessional. In response, Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti discussed the moment on this morning’s Boomer and Gio show on WFAN and said the criticism online was unwarranted.
“I mean, this isn’t Harvey Weinstein here. You know what I’m saying,” said Giannotti. “He was just a reporter. These are young single girls at the game. They’re laughing. I mean, is he threatening them in any way? What are people talking about?”
Ballard has been an Atlanta Braves reporter for television since last season and has done several interviews with fans all across baseball for the network. Notably, his work even includes a 2024 Georgia Sportscaster of the Year award, albeit just a season into his work for the MLB team.
“Back in the day, you’d have to ask for a number, right,” joked Esiason. “Nowadays, you just got to go on Tinder to get spanked.”
Meanwhile, while a good laugh was had by all, the online criticism focused on the idea that if a woman were to make the same gesture, it would not be received as well as Ballard’s has been.
“No, I don’t think so,” Giannotti disagreed. “It was a goofy, light spot from the booth. It was stupid.”
Additionally, Esiason said that he honestly enjoyed the moment and saw nothing wrong with how Ballard approached capturing it on live television.
“I thought it was innocent. I thought it was funny. I thought that the way the girls reacted was funny,” Esiason said.
As of now, FanDuel Sports Network has not made any comment on the matter.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
