The Savannah Bananas are taking their viral baseball phenomenon to a whole new level. TNT Sports has partnered with the team to broadcast 19 Banana Ball games this August and September across truTV and HBO Max, marking the largest media deal in the team’s history.
This expanded coverage, four times greater than last year’s, will conclude with the first-ever Banana Ball Championship on October 11. Over eight consecutive weekends, fans will see the Bananas and their rival teams — the Party Animals, Firefighters, and Texas Tailgaters — bring their signature chaos to Major League Baseball stadiums across the country.
Games will be played at iconic venues including Yankee Stadium, Petco Park, T-Mobile Park, PNC Park, Daikin Park in Houston, and Chicago’s Rate Field, with one special weekend back home at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia. All matchups will be streamed simultaneously on HBO Max for U.S. viewers.
Created by team owner Jesse Cole, who’s as much a showman as a sports executive, Banana Ball blends athleticism with entertainment — featuring dancing players, backflipping catches, and an all-out ban on bunting. The team’s social media presence is just as bold, boasting over 10.5 million TikTok followers and more than 2 million YouTube subscribers.
The championship tournament will feature all four teams battling for Banana Ball glory, with seeding based on their World Tour results. Scheduled to air during the MLB Division Series, the final promises to draw both traditional baseball fans and those looking for a fresh take on the game.
With the TNT Sports deal, Banana Ball moves from viral fame to primetime television, offering millions of viewers a front-row seat to the most irregular show in sports. This TNT Sports deal marks the widest exposure the team has received, with all games simulcast on HBO Max for U.S. viewers. While the team has previously appeared on platforms like YouTube, ESPN, and Disney+, this new agreement cements their place in the sports mainstream.
Coinciding with the MLB Division Series, Banana Ball’s championship aims to attract both die-hard baseball fans and newcomers drawn by the fun-first format.