ESPN Analyst's Lack of Enthusiasm for NHL Opening Night Raises Eyebrows
The NHL has recently signed a seven-year media deal with ESPN/ABC, marking the return of professional hockey to ESPN in 2021. With the 2025 MLB season coming to a close, the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season is on the horizon. ESPN saw this as a prime opportunity to promote its NHL Opening Night offerings to sports fans currently engaged in the MLB Playoffs.
During ESPN on ABC's coverage of the NL Wild Card Series Game 2 between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs, MLB analyst Ben McDonald, alongside Kevin Brown and Jessica Mendoza, didn't seem too enthusiastic about promoting the upcoming NHL games. When Brown mentioned the opening night matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, McDonald's response was less than enthusiastic, expressing little interest in watching the games.
Despite Brown's attempts to playfully engage McDonald in the conversation and encourage him to support the network by watching the games, McDonald remained firm in his stance that he would not be tuning in. The exchange ended with McDonald bluntly stating that there was "zero chance" he would be watching the NHL games, prompting a lighthearted response from Brown and Mendoza.
It will be interesting to see how this interaction plays out behind the scenes, as McDonald's lack of enthusiasm for the NHL games may not sit well with ESPN executives.