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MLB Announcer Ben McDonald Sends NHL Stray in Cubs-Padres Wild Card

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 8:45 PM ET

The Padres defeated the Cubs 3-0 in a must-win Game 2 Wednesday, setting up a decisive Game 3 that will air alongside the end of the decisive rubber game of the Guardians-Tigers wild-card round.

On the call for the Cubs-Padres game on ESPN was Kevin Brown and Ben McDonald - the esteemed MASN Orioles broadcast duo - along with Jessica Mendoza and Jesse Rogers.

ESPN wanted the broadcast team to promote their opening night coverage of the NHL between the Chicago Blackhawks and defending champion Florida Panthers next Tuesday, October 7th, along with the Penguins-Rangers and Kings-Avalanche game.

McDonald, however, had other plans.

"There is zero chance I'll be watching, I'm just gonna be honest with you." - ABC/ESPN MLB analyst Ben McDonald with a ringing endorsement of ESPN's NHL Opening Night coverage. pic.twitter.com/OaWXf68hsy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 1, 2025

"You work for ESPN, of course you'll be watching," Brown said to McDonald, seemingly putting a PR-friendly response on a tee for him.

"There is zero chance I'll be watching, I'm just gonna be honest with you," McDonald said. "I'll be somewhere where there is no chance of me watching."

"Thanks for the ratings boost," Brown joked about his comment's likely virality.

The NHL signed a seven-year deal with ESPN/ABC in 2021, meaning McDonald was likely contractually obligated to speak well of any hockey content aired on ESPN. Not only did he blow a great chance to boost hockey viewership on ESPN, he'll surely receive a call from a top ESPN executive over the conduct if he hasn't already.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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