Barstool Sports chief Dave Portnoy demanded that the Savannah Bananas ‘get off my TV’ as fans were left furious over their ESPYs opening performance.
The viral baseball troupe – who blend the traditional rules of the sport with showmanship – opened the annual sports awards show at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City on Wednesday night.
The team, dressed in their signature yellow uniforms, kick started the ceremony with a choreographed performance of their first original song, ‘The Show Starts Now.’
They danced and lip-synced, while their teammate, former Broadway star Derek Klena, led the vocals.
The song was produced by Grammy-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who composed music for the hit musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and the 2017 film ‘The Greatest Showman’ starring Hugh Jackman.
Rapper DJ Khaled also made an appearance, strolling out onto the stage during the performance to introduce the ceremony.
Barstool Sports chief Dave Portnoy ripped into the Savannah Bananas’ ESPYs performance
The Savannah Bananas kick started the sports awards show with a musical performance
However, fans watching at home were left far from impressed with the display as Portnoy led the backlash online.
‘GET THE F***ING BANANAS OFF MY TV!!!!’ Portnoy wrote on X.
In a video of his reaction to the broadcast, he added, ‘What the f***? What the f*** is this? Get the Bananas off my f***ing screen. What the f*** are the Bananas doing?
‘What is this, the ESPYs? I don’t even know what channel this is on. I was watching “Chronicle” on ABC, I look up and the Bananas are on my TV.’
The Barstool founder wasn’t alone in his fury as others also took to social media to slam the performance.
‘This is more embarrassing than that Australian chick doing breakdancing in the Olympics,’ one viewer claimed.
‘Good thing I’m not watching. I would’ve turned it off instantly,’ added another.
‘Good god it just gets worse and worse,’ a despairing third wrote.
Dressed in their uniforms, they performed their first original song, ‘The Show Starts Now’
They danced, while their teammate, former Broadway star Derek Klena, led the vocals
DJ Khaled also made an appearance, strolling out onto the stage during the performance
‘I don’t know anyone that actually likes the Bananas. This has to be some weird forced propoganda (sic) thing,’ said a fourth.
‘This is the worst thing i have ever seen. More proof why nobody watches @espn or the @ESPYS,’ a fifth chimed in.
However, not everyone was left outraged by the performance with some rushing to defend the Savannah Bananas.
One viewer wrote: ‘It’s sad how many sports fans lack self awareness. like this is an event sponsored by disney that celebrates adults who are the best at playing GAMES!! lmaoo have a little fun and go bananas!!’
‘Modern day Harlem Globe Trotters! I like it,’ a second shared.
‘These comments are an absolute joke,’ claimed another. ‘The Savannah Bananas have been even more than a gimmick from the beginning. Have you really tried and given Banana Ball a chance? It is the most fun you will ever see at the ballpark. They have so much unique rules too.’
This year’s ESPYs ceremony was hosted by SNL star Marcello Hernandez and was held in New York after previously taking place in Los Angeles in recent years.
Performances from Fat Joe, Slick Rick, Ghostface Killah and De La Soul also featured during the broadcast throughout the show.
