New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is unhappy with ESPN, his former employer, over the scheduling of a July 8th game in Toronto and is threatening a boycott.
The Worldwide Leader in Sports is attempting to use the Yankees game to boost the ratings of their All-Star Game selection show, which would air prior to the Yankees-Blue Jays game.
The problem the Yankees have with ESPN is they’re rescheduling a Sunday 1pm game to 8pm and the Yankees currently have a make up doubleheader scheduled in Baltimore the following day.
If the Yankees can’t come to an agreement with ESPN and MLB, they are threatening to boycott ESPN for the rest of the season.
Via the New York Post:
While the Yankees couldn’t prevent ESPN from broadcasting future games, the players’ and management’s boycott would include being uncooperative with ESPN for its broadcasts and any extra features, like the ones commonly seen on “SportsCenter.” For “Sunday Night,” the ESPN booth team receives a special session with Boone during the pregame, as well as in-game access. ESPN often asks for TV interviews with players prior to the game and special access. The Yankees would just say no to all requests, a source said, if the July 8 game remains on the “Sunday Night” schedule.
Asking the Yankees to play three games in 24 hours to boost the ratings of a stupid All-Star selection show is a ridiculous move. Especially if the battle for the top spot in the AL East with the Red Sox is as tight as it currently is.
