The Savannah Bananas are going to change the world of sports and entertainment
“Did you see that?!?”
"Can we see them play in Savannah next year?"
“Who knew baseball could be this fun?”
“I’m obsessed.”
“This is the highlight of my summer!”
I’ve been fortunate to attend Super Bowls, NCAA Final Fours, College Football National Championships, The Masters, the Home Run Derby, my fair share of music festivals and Broadway shows, and I can confidently say that the Savannah Bananas game I attended this past weekend in Staten Island was the most unique experiences out of ‘em all. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “it sounds good for the story but there’s no way.”
By this point, I’m sure many of you are more than familiar with the lore of the Savannah Bananas. You’ve likely come across a TikTok of a dancing umpire, or a reel of the tallest batter in the world, or the 2022 ESPN+ Docuseries, but it’s tough to describe the Banana Ball experience without being there in-person. Some say they are the "Harlem Globetrotters of baseball," which is close on the surface but doesn’t give Jesse Cole and the Bananas enough credit for the incredible brand they’ve created and cultivated.
The best description I can come up with is a fusion of baseball and pro wrestling with a splash of Broadway theatrics.
领英推荐
Their mantra is “fans first,” and it’s clear this is much more than just a fluff statement to put on a wall. It’s their guiding principle and something that’s in the DNA of the brand, the players and staff. From the moment you walk into the park, there’s an energy that’s palpable. We're not talking career-defining Game 7 energy, but the kind when you’re about to experience something amazing for the first time.
I knew there would be dancing, wild physical tricks, laughs, but I was unsure how it would all be packaged up into an actual live baseball game. To avoid trying to give you the full rundown, here’s my top 5 most memorable moments:
On the way out of the park, I bought a Bananas shirt and couldn’t wait to tell friends and family about what I had just witnessed.
After playing six seasons in Savannah, the Bananas embarked on a 7-stop tour in 2022 tour. The Sold Out 2023 Banana Ball World Tour is visiting 33 cities, with tickets often selling for 4x face value on the secondary market. I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of the story. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the “World Famous Baseball Circus:”
Banana Ball was a breath of fresh air, and I’m all-in.
Associate Professor of Digital Media and Journalism at the University of Hartford
1 年Genius idea! Met one of the team members yesterday, such an impressive young man. The teams use of social media is spot on!
Career Therapist | Recruiter for Uniquely-Inspired Brands | Problem-Solving HR Consultant
1 年They are simply so very fun!
Chief of Staff, McCann Worldgroup
1 年Love the predictions. All Star Game event is no risk, all reward for MLB.
Brand @ IBM
1 年On the shortlist of sporting events I'd love to attend.
WMG | Digital Strategy & Business Development
1 年Awesome summary! It seems so fun, I was too late to get tix for the 2023 world tour, but will definitely be on the hunt when they announce a tour for next year!