If you thought the current hour-long format for MLB’s All-Star Game roster reveal show was too long, just wait until you hear what MLB is doing now.
This year, the roster reveal show on ESPN will take place over *two* days, July 5th and 6th. The starters will be revealed on Sunday the 5th, and the reserves, pitchers, and Final Vote candidates will be revealed on Monday the 6th.
2015 All-Star Starters to be unveiled on Esurance All-Star Starters Selection Show on ESPN this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 29, 2015
Reserves, Pitchers & Final Vote candidates to be announced on Esurance All-Star Selection Show on ESPN on Monday, 7/6 at 7:00 p.m. (ET)
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 29, 2015
Why the split? One word: money. It’s part of MLB’s new All-Star Game sponsorship deal with Esurance.
New 2-pt ASG roster reveal outgrowth of deal MLB, Esurance signed in April. Esurance will be presenting sponsor of both shows
— Eric Fisher (@AEricFisher) June 29, 2015
The All-Star starters, reserves, pitchers, and Final Vote candidates could be revealed in a half hour show a week before the game, and it would accomplish the same thing as breaking this up into two different shows over two different nights for an hour and a half.
But hey, when the almighty dollar speaks, MLB has to listen. Esurance is the new title sponsor of All-Star voting, and I guess they wanted an extra half hour and an extra night. The only real drama remaining with the starters is whether or not the Royals will “only” have three or four starters instead of six or seven. Move to the edge of your seats, folks!
