Major League Baseball had to endure some embarrassment on Sunday when the announcement of its All-Star reserves was slightly delayed due to a live cornhole broadcast.
The All-Star selection show was slated to air on ESPN at 5 p.m. E.T. on Sunday, but the network was televising a live cornhole event that ran long. Instead of moving the cornhole — or even the All-Star show — to ESPN2, the network actually stuck with the cornhole for roughly 10 minutes, causing the announcement to be delayed.
The start of the MLB All-Star Selection Show was delayed for nearly 10 minutes on ESPN due to… cornhole. #MLB pic.twitter.com/2q9feBzKGI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 6, 2025
Naturally, this was met with swift condemnation on social media. Many blamed ESPN, and pointed out that this sort of thing was probably part of the reason MLB opted out of its contract with the network earlier this year.
ESPN playing Cornhole over the MLB All-Star Selection Show.
— Reds in Four (@RedsInFour) July 6, 2025
Get the TV rights away from this godforsaken company immediately, man.
ESPN is bumping/delaying the MLB All Star Selection Show for Cornhole??????????
— Ray Moffo (@RayMoffo) July 6, 2025
You can not hate @espn enough
The All-Star selection show on ESPN has been preempted by Cornhole.
— Adam Weinrib (@AdamWeinrib) July 6, 2025
Take away ESPN's MLB broadcasting rights early.
The MLB all star selection show on ESPN is being
— Mike Nichols 💯 (@michealnichols) July 6, 2025
preempted by cornhole lololol ESPN hates MLB so much
The announcement of the All-Star Game rosters is being delayed by a cornhole competition – which is not at all embarrassing for MLB.
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) July 6, 2025
ESPN and MLB are in the process of a breakup, as the league is ending its “Sunday Night Baseball” deal after this year. The two sides have not shut the door on a potential re-negotiation, but judging by this response, many fans are eager to see the two parties go their separate ways, with a different network rumored to be in the running for the package.
MLB does benefit from the spotlight ESPN gives it. Despite that, this is definitely somewhat embarrassing for the league.
