MLB Analyst Ben McDonald Dismisses Controversial ESPN NHL Remarks as a Joke The Athletic Reports
Engaging Broadcast Banter between McDonald and Brown Sparks Viral Reaction
Ben McDonald and Kevin Brown’s Baseball Commentary Sparks Unexpected Hockey Debate
Ben McDonald and Kevin Brown, familiar voices in MLB commentary, have captivated audiences over seven years while broadcasting for the Baltimore Orioles on MASN. Known for their dynamic play-by-play and color commentary, the duo recently found themselves at the center of a social media whirlwind during ESPN’s broadcast of the National League wild-card game.
NHL Coverage Promotion Leads to Unexpected Viral Moment
While promoting the NHL’s opening night coverage, McDonald’s playful dismissal of the idea of watching the games—saying there was “zero chance”—was quickly interpreted as a slight by hockey fans. The interaction, occurring in the fifth inning of the Padres vs. Cubs game, rapidly gained traction on social media platform X and was spotlighted by none other than “SportsCenter” anchor John Buccigross.
The Aftermath: McDonald and Brown Clarify Their Intentions
Both McDonald and Brown clarified the intention behind the remark in a conversation with The Athletic. The two had been jokingly discussing offseason plans, with McDonald emphasizing his desire to enjoy a retreat in the wilderness of Louisiana. “It was a joke,” McDonald said, expressing admiration for hockey players and reinforcing the friendly nature of his exchange with Brown.
ESPN’s NHL Broadcast Partnership and Viewer Engagement
The playful banter highlights the looming presence of ESPN as a key broadcaster for the NHL, a relationship spanning a noteworthy seven-year agreement with Turner Sports. ESPN’s efforts include not only regular-season and Stanley Cup playoffs but also exclusive rights to over 1,000 out-of-market games on ESPN+. Despite broadcasting 48 NHL regular-season games in the 2024-25 season, the network saw a slight dip in viewership.
- NHL broadcasts on ESPN during the 2024-25 season averaged 584,000 viewers.
- This represented a 12% decrease from the previous season’s average of 666,000 viewers.
The NHL’s Strategic Vision with ESPN
Returning to ESPN was a strategic move by the NHL, designed to boost its profile in auxiliary programming such as ESPN’s talk shows. However, the promise remains unfulfilled for some hockey fans, who desire more substantial visibility beyond game broadcasts. As the 2025-26 NHL season begins, the partnership’s success in meeting these expectations is yet to be determined.
Upcoming NHL Season Highlights
The NHL’s new season kicks off with an exciting lineup on ESPN, featuring teams such as the Blackhawks, Panthers, Penguins, Rangers, Avalanche, and Kings. As fans eagerly anticipate the commencement of the season, McDonald assures them that his comments were not intended to diminish the NHL’s significance.
“It was not a bang on hockey at all,” McDonald reiterated, explaining his offseason plans to escape into nature, far removed from any sporting events.
