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New York Yankees legend David Cone is out at ESPN after the network chose not to renew his contract, according to reports.
Cone, one of the most highly-respected analysts in baseball, has become a casualty of his now ex-employer’s multi-million dollar deal with MLB, which was finally agreed last month.
The two parties initially appeared set for a bitter split when ESPN opted out of its rights deal in February, before they salvaged baseball on the broadcaster by reworking a new three-year deal worth a staggering $550million.
Yet while the lucrative agreement initially seemed to leave everyone happy, it actually caused a major dilemma for Cone, 63, in his other role on YES Network, where he calls games for the Yankees-affiliated channel.
As part of the new deal, ESPN is switching its showcase MLB game from Sunday night to midweek, which will clash with his duties on YES Network.
And after acknowledging the scheduling conflict he has been left with, Front Office Sports is reporting that Cone will now be leaving ESPN.
New York Yankees legend David Cone is out at ESPN in the wake of its $550m deal with MLB
The five-time World Series champion is pictured with his longtime partner Taja Abitbol
‘We appreciate David’s many contributions to our Major League Baseball coverage and wish him the best,’ a spokesperson is quoted as saying.
Cone is held in high esteem by fans and brdoadcasters alike, expertly lending his insight as a five-time World Series champion to his analysis.
He has been in the booth for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball alongside Eduardo Perez and Karl Revech for four seasons.
The weekend evening games have never been an issue with his YES obligations in the past as the two worked within his scheduling.
Meanwhile, Cone is already locked in at YES for the 2026 season with Jared Boshnack, executive producer and VP of production, reportedly already penciling him in for more than the 40 games he called last season.
It remains to be seen whether the likes of NBC and Netflix, who also just agreed new rights deals, will pounce on the MLB icon after his ESPN exit.
NBC/Peacock is set to become the new home of ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ and the Wild Card Series after agreeing a $600m, three-year deal with MLB.
Meanwhile, Netflix has continued its foray into sports streaming by acquiring the Home Run Derby and two additional games as part of a three-year deal worth $50m per season.
