A recent incident during a Braves game broadcast has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy online.
Wiley Ballard, a sideline reporter for the Braves, found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after a live TV segment during a game at the Blue Jays’ Rogers Centre on Monday night.
The moment in question? Ballard asked a female fan for her phone number, a request that many found inappropriate, especially given the context.
The Incident That Caught Attention
Ballard, who was recognized as the 2024 NSMA Georgia Sportscaster of the Year, was covering the Braves’ matchup on FanDuel Sports Network when he interviewed two young women, Lauren and Kayla, at the Blue Jays’ Corona Rooftop.
After some light conversation about their support for the Braves and their visits to the stadium, things took an unexpected turn.
In the middle of the segment, Ballard announced, “I’m gonna go to work here,” to the amusement of his colleagues.
The remark was met with laughter from the broadcast team, with play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin jokingly adding, “Okay, Wiley, you’ve got four innings to get the numbers.”
Ballard seemed to take this challenge seriously, replying, “I’m on it.”
Soon after, color commentator C.J. Nitkowski encouraged him to “get us some more Braves fans.”
With the stage set, Ballard turned to Lauren and, as his colleagues had suggested, asked for her phone number, stating, “Alright, so they want me to get your number.”
Surprised, Lauren responded, “They want you to get my number?” To which Ballard confirmed he was “dead serious” about the request.
As he pulled out his phone, he joked, “Even if you guys weren’t – I might use that in the future, that’s actually a pretty good move.”
The exchange was broadcasted live, with Ballard’s comment prompting laughter from the booth and some viewers, while others viewed it as inappropriate.
Online Backlash and Criticism
What followed was a flood of criticism on social media, particularly from women in sports media.
CBS MLB editor Katie Feldman expressed her disbelief, stating, “This is one of the most insanely inappropriate things I’ve ever seen. Like I legitimately cannot believe it’s real.”
Newsday’s Laura Albanese added, “If I had ever done anything close to this, my career would be over. This is…flabbergasting.”
Rachel Hopmayer, a sports anchor and reporter for CBS Detroit, called out the misogyny she saw in the incident, writing, “Example #28495 why men get away with the bottom of the barrel content because misogyny is alive and well in sports television.
A woman could never and would never without losing their job over this. Lazy, disappointing, offensive, grimey, I could go on. Yikes all around.”
Even men in sports broadcasting found Ballard’s actions troubling. Broadcaster Jett Beachum criticized the unprofessionalism, calling it “wildly unprofessional.”
Dallas Morning News writer Evan Grant pointed out the double standard, saying, “If a female sideline reporter did this, she’d be called horrible names and probably be run out of town.”
Mixed Reactions and Support
Despite the backlash, not everyone shared the same opinion. Some fans and sports figures saw Ballard’s actions as harmless humor.
Fox 5 sports reporter Miles Garrett, who originally posted the video online, praised Ballard’s “work” in securing the phone number, calling it “10/10 work.”
One fan even commented, “Hysterical and fantastic work. The wink was an all-timer.”
Ballard’s actions were also compared to a scene from Good Will Hunting, where Matt Damon’s character taunts a rival with the line, “Do you like apples? Well, I got her number, how do you like them apples?”
Ballard posted a picture from that famous moment, further fueling the mixed reactions. While some celebrated his humor, others still found it distasteful.
Moving Forward: Braves Win, but the Controversy Lingers
The Braves’ victory over the Blue Jays in the game, which ended 8-4, might have been the highlight for most, but the controversy over Ballard’s actions continued to dominate the conversation.
As the dust settles, many are left wondering: What’s next for Ballard and sports reporting standards?
It’s clear this incident has sparked an important discussion about professionalism, boundaries, and respect in the industry.