Sports Media Report
As part of a new chapter in the longtime and successful relationship between Major League Baseball and SiriusXM, it was announced today that MLB Network will simulcast the final hour of SiriusXM’s daily show, The Leadoff Spot, weekdays at 9 a.m. ET, beginning on “Baseball Eve,” Wednesday, March 26th, the day before Opening Day. Co-hosted by a combination of veteran baseball personalities and analysts — Steve Phillips, Xavier Scruggs and Eduardo Pérez — the simulcast will lead into MLB Network’s MLB Central at 10 a.m. ET, followed by MLB Now at 12 p.m. ET. As one of MLB Network Radio’s signature shows on SiriusXM, The Leadoff Spot delivers expert commentary, recapping the night’s action and previewing the day ahead, plus unfiltered interviews with baseball newsmakers and club personnel. With the addition of The Leadoff Spot, MLB Network will have the ability to roll out eight different daily studio programs depending on game action this season.
“Major League Baseball and SiriusXM have had a productive relationship for many years, so it’s only natural for us to expand our valuable platforms with this new endeavor,” said Bill Morningstar, President of MLB Network. “The Leadoff Spot is an insightful and topical daily program that will only enhance our content and expand the variety of opinions and noteworthy interviews fans will consume on MLB Network.”
“The Leadoff Spot is an entertaining and informative way for baseball fans to start their day,” said Eric Spitz, SiriusXM’s VP of Sports Programming. “SiriusXM listeners know that the insights you get from Steve, Eduardo and Xavier, with their exceptional experience in the front office and on the field, are second to none. We’re thrilled to work with Major League Baseball to expand the reach of the show and deliver that expertise to those tuning in on MLB Network.”
The Leadoff Spot airs live from 7 to 10 a.m. ET every weekday on MLB Network Radio (SiriusXM channel 89), with MLB Network set to simulcast the final hour of the show at 9 a.m. ET. MLB Network’s Emmy Award-winning MLB Tonight will continue to regularly simulcast on MLB Network Radio throughout the season, as it has for many years. In addition to their work on SiriusXM and other platforms, Phillips, the former Mets G.M. and Scruggs, a former major league first baseman and outfielder, have been MLB Network on-air analysts since 2022. Pérez, a 13-year major league veteran, has contributed to ESPN’s baseball coverage for many years, including on Sunday Night Baseball since 2022.
MLB and SiriusXM have teamed up for more than two decades to give fans across the country live broadcasts of every regular season and Postseason game, plus in-depth analysis and interviews on the MLB Network Radio channel 365 days a year.
