Overview

• During the Padres–Cubs Wild Card telecast, Ben McDonald said, “There is zero chance I’ll be watching,” after Kevin Brown read an NHL Opening Night promo.
• Brown had teed up the spot by asking if the Florida Panthers could three-peat, to which McDonald signaled he would not tune in despite working for ESPN.
• ESPN hockey voice John Buccigross responded on X, noting, “Zero is also how many postseason innings Ben McDonald pitched in his MLB career.”
• The same NHL promo later aired during the Red Sox–Yankees broadcast, where the booth left it without comment.
• ESPN is promoting an Oct. 7 Opening Night tripleheader featuring the Blackhawks at the two-time champion Panthers, who are scheduled to raise another Stanley Cup banner.