According to reporting from The Athletic, MLB does not view the Bananas as a rival threatening the traditional product, but instead as an alternative form of entertainment that complements the league. Yet for Jesse Cole, the charismatic owner of the Bananas, what he is building is far more than what critics dismissively call “baseball vaudeville….
From The Athletic: Major League Baseball sees the Savannah Bananas not as competition, but as an entertainment product that complements the league. But the Bananas’ owner sees what he’s creating as much more than just baseball vaudeville.
In the ever-changing landscape of sports and entertainment, Major League Baseball (MLB) finds itself confronted not with a competitor, but with an unusual partner in the form of the Savannah Bananas—a team that has reimagined the game of baseball through a fast-paced, theatrical version known as “Banana Ball.” According to reporting from The Athletic, MLB does not view the Bananas as a rival threatening the traditional product, but instead as an alternative form of entertainment that complements the league. Yet for Jesse Cole, the charismatic owner of the Bananas, what he is building is far more than what critics dismissively call “baseball vaudeville.”
Cole and his team have become a national sensation, drawing sold-out crowds across the United States on their “Banana Ball World Tour,” while also capturing millions of views through viral social media content. Their signature blend of baseball fundamentals, comedic antics, and audience participation has transformed a once struggling collegiate summer league team into an international phenomenon. For MLB, this offers a different kind of product that attracts audiences who may not normally watch nine innings of professional baseball.
“From our perspective, the Bananas bring energy and attention to the sport,” said an anonymous MLB executive quoted by The Athletic. “They’re introducing baseball to new demographics, and they’re doing it in a way that emphasizes fun. That’s not a threat—it’s complementary.”
Indeed, MLB has long grappled with criticisms of its pace of play and declining interest among younger generations. The Bananas’ approach, which includes a strict two-hour time limit, choreographed celebrations, players engaging directly with fans, and even outrageous moments like batters introducing themselves at the plate, offers a stark contrast. Some within the league view it as a useful experiment in fan engagement—albeit one outside the traditional confines of professional baseball.
But for Jesse Cole, who is often seen wearing his trademark bright yellow tuxedo, the Bananas are not simply an “act” designed to amuse. In his view, Banana Ball is pioneering a cultural shift in how sports are experienced and consumed. “People call us baseball vaudeville,” Cole has said, “but what we’re creating is an entertainment movement that prioritizes joy, connection, and memories over statistics and standings. This is about building something bigger than the game itself.”
That vision has resonated with fans. The Bananas have become more than a team—they are a traveling festival of baseball-inspired entertainment. Families that might have felt alienated by the cost and length of MLB games find in the Bananas an accessible, welcoming environment. Children leave with autographs, selfies, and stories to tell, while parents often remark on the family-first atmosphere.
Still, some traditionalists bristle at the idea that the Bananas represent the future of baseball. Critics argue that the constant theatrics distract from the integrity of the game. Yet, the overwhelming popularity of the Bananas suggests otherwise. When tickets sell out months in advance and merchandise flies off the shelves, it becomes clear that audiences are craving something different.
MLB has chosen not to resist this phenomenon but to embrace it from afar. By framing the Bananas as entertainment that complements the traditional game, the league avoids unnecessary confrontation while reaping the indirect benefits of renewed interest in baseball as a whole. For Cole, however, the mission remains far more ambitious. “We’re not just playing baseball,” he has said. “We’re changing the way people think about what a live sporting event can be. Baseball is just the canvas—we’re painting an entirely new picture on it.”
As the Bananas continue to tour, filling stadiums across the nation, the conversation will only grow louder: Are they simply a sideshow bolstering baseball’s entertainment appeal, or are they planting the seeds of a revolution that could one day reshape the sport at its core? For now, MLB is content to label them as a complement. But for Jesse Cole and the Savannah Bananas, the journey is about something much larger—nothing less than redefining how America experiences its pastime.
Would you like me to also write a shorter, ESPN-style breaking news version of this same story alongside the long feature one.