David Cone Could Be Cut as ESPN Reshuffles MLB Broadcasts

ESPN’s new MLB broadcast strategy moves its flagship game from the classic Sunday night slot to midweek. That shift may have an unexpected side effect: veteran analyst and former All-Star pitcher David Cone could get squeezed out.

As Cone’s schedule with the Yankees’ YES Network grows, he faces a real clash between regional commitments and national TV work. This could push him toward fast-rising MLB platforms like NBC or even Netflix.

ESPN’s Midweek Shift Puts David Cone in a Tight Spot

For years, Sunday Night Baseball was ESPN’s baseball showcase, and Cone balanced that with his YES work. The schedule let him cover Yankees games during the week, then slide into ESPN’s prime-time slot on Sundays.

Now, that setup is in danger. ESPN’s move to midweek games means Cone can’t just fit in national broadcasts as easily.

From Perfect Fit to Scheduling Headache

At 62, Cone stands out as one of baseball’s sharpest broadcasters, thanks to 17 years on a major league mound and a knack for blending data with gut instinct. Fans and execs both appreciate how he explains the game.

ESPN’s old Sunday night slot worked beautifully with his two-network workload. With national games moving to midweek, YES and ESPN now want him at the same time, and that’s a real problem.

YES Network’s Growing Reliance on Cone

While ESPN shuffles its schedule, the YES Network leans even harder on Cone. His voice in the Yankees booth keeps getting more important, and YES doesn’t seem eager to change that.

Last year, Cone called 40 Yankees games for YES. This season, that number looks set to rise, tying him even closer to the team’s broadcast home.

“Incredibly Impactful” in the Yankees Booth

YES Network executive Jared Boshnack has publicly praised Cone’s impact. In a world where fans expect both stories and stats, Cone’s rare ability to deliver both makes him a huge asset.

When one network keeps expanding your role and the other makes your schedule harder, it gets pretty clear where your priorities might land.

ESPN Contract Clock Ticking Toward 2026

Timing is another piece of this puzzle. Cone’s ESPN contract runs out around the start of the 2026 MLB season, lining up awkwardly with all these broadcast changes.

If ESPN’s midweek package keeps clashing with YES’s Yankees schedule, you have to wonder if this partnership can last beyond the current deal.

Is ESPN a Long-Term Fit Anymore?

Maybe both sides can patch things together with careful scheduling for now. But in the long run, it’s tough for a national analyst to stay relevant if he’s rarely available for national games.

Cone has the experience and reputation to call his own shots. At some point, he’s got to ask if this is the best use of his time and profile.

NBC and Netflix: New Players in the MLB Broadcast Race

While ESPN retools, other media giants are jumping into the MLB space, and it’s no surprise Cone’s name comes up. The 2026 season could be a turning point in baseball’s media landscape.

Two big contenders stand out: NBC and Netflix.

NBC’s Return to Sunday Night Baseball

NBC plans to return to Sunday night MLB broadcasts in 2026 with a 25-game slate. They’ll need a signature game analyst, and Cone fits the bill.

For Cone, NBC’s Sunday night focus would mesh much better with a full YES workload than ESPN’s midweek games. It’s basically the old ESPN setup that worked so well for him.

Netflix’s Strategic MLB Experiment

Netflix is throwing its hat in the ring with some high-profile live sports. The streamer will air select MLB games, including:

These aren’t just any games—they’re big events designed for maximum buzz and global reach. Netflix doesn’t have the volume of a traditional network, but it offers something fresh: a platform built for spectacle and experimentation.

Cone could take on a role with Netflix—maybe limited in volume, but high in profile—while still handling his YES duties. That would keep him in the spotlight for baseball’s most talked-about showcases.

What Comes Next for David Cone?

The 2026 season is almost here, and Cone’s at a bit of a crossroads. It’s not really about his performance anymore—programming choices are driving the changes.

ESPN has pulled back from Sunday nights, which shakes things up. Meanwhile, YES keeps handing him more to do.

Now, NBC and even Netflix want to get in on MLB broadcasting. They’re both making moves to grab a bigger piece of the action.

So, will Cone stick with ESPN? Maybe he’ll take on a Sunday night spot at NBC, or jump over to Netflix’s baseball coverage. Hard to say, but one thing’s for sure: David Cone’s got plenty of options, just not a lot of free time.

 
Here is the source article for this story: David Cone could be an ESPN casualty with new MLB broadcasting…