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Female Reporter Doesn't Hold Back On MLB Broadcaster Getting Fan's Number At Game

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 9:02 PM ET

During Monday night's game between the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays, sideline reporter Wiley Ballard went viral for getting a woman's number in the middle of the broadcast.

Ballard, a reporter with FanDuel Sports Network, was interviewing two female fans about their experience at Rogers Centre in Toronto. That led to Braves play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin saying, "OK Wiley, you got five innings, four innings to get the numbers."

Instead of ignoring that joke, Ballard actually pulled out his phone and asked one of the two fans for their number. Several people ripped Ballard for this move, calling it a disgrace to the industry.

"An unprofessional disgrace, from the reporter, to the guys in the booth, to the producer in the truck who could've stopped it at any point," Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports said.

Olivia Harlan, the daughter of iconic broadcaster Kevin Harlan, had a much different response to this situation.

Shoutout to my guy @wileyballard_ setting the standard for sports reporters getting a phone number out in the wild.

10/10 work

@fanduelsnbraves pic.twitter.com/RFEyd605Lb
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) April 15, 2025

Harlan believes it's "insane" that people got offended by Ballard's actions.

"People getting mad about the Braves reporter asking for the girl’s phone number ARE INSANE," Harlan wrote on X. "Haha how does that offend you? It was innocuous and cute… good TV I’d say. It doesn’t detract from the game or season. Lighten up.

"I’ve been a team reporter, and the season is LONG. Producers are always looking for something different/memorable, ways to involve fans or show some human interest around the game. Most of those interviews are duds, so good on him for having a sense of humor and rolling with it."

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 11: Big Ten Network (BTN) reporter Olivia Harlan Dekker during a college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and Illinois Fighting Illini on December 11, 2019 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Most of Harlan's fans are applauding her for this take.

"Insane how many people are in their feelings about this. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves," one follower replied.

"Social media. People have to complain about something inconsequential. I agree with you - it was good TV," another person said.

Ballard has not yet addressed all the backlash regarding his segment on FanDuel Sports Network.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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