Why Barry Bonds is on Netflix's Yankees vs. Giants broadcast for 2026 Opening Night

Netflix is kicking off the MLB season this year with a battle between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, and the streaming service is going all out for its broadcast.

Among analysts working for Netflix will be Barry Bonds, the former slugger who hit an MLB-best 762 home runs in his career. Bonds has not appeared much in media since his final MLB season in 2007, so Netflix made a huge decision to land him for their coverage in 2026.

Bonds will be one of a few big names on the Netflix broadcast, as the streaming service is broadcasting three baseball events this season. Here's why Netflix hired Bonds for the Giants-Yankees game.

MORE: A breakdown of the longest homers in Home Run Derby history

Why is Barry Bonds on the Yankees-Giants Netflix broadcast?

Netflix hired Barry Bonds to take part in its MLB coverage this year, which will feature three broadcasts throughout the year. That begins on Wednesday night, when the season opens with the Giants hosting the Yankees in Bonds' old ballpark.

Bonds' role will be as a pre-game and post-game analyst, where he will work with other former MLB stars. Bonds joins a team, that includes Albert Pujols and Anthony Rizzo on the desk, and CC Sabathia and Hunter Pence in the booth.

Bonds is a natural fit for Netflix's MLB coverage considering its schedule for the year. The streaming service will cover the opening game featuring Bonds' old team, the Giants, and will also broadcast the Home Run Derby, so it makes sense to have the all-time home-run leader on the board for the broadcast. Besides those two events, Netflix will also broadcast the Field of Dreams game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins on August 13.

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Netflix broadcast team

The Netflix broadcast team features many familiar faces to sports fans, along with a few surprise contributors from those not usually in baseball media.

Desk:

• Host: Elle Duncan
• Analyst: Barry Bonds
• Analyst: Albert Pujols
• Analyst: Anthony Rizzo

Booth:

• Play-by-play: Matt Vasgersian
• Analyst: CC Sabathia
• Analyst: Hunter Pence

Additional contributors:

• Sideline reporter: Lauren Shehadi
• Special guest: Jameis Winston
• Special guest: Bert Kreischer
• Special guests: Jey and Jimmy Uso

MORE: Full list of all-time MLB home runs

Barry Bonds broadcast career

Bonds has not been a part of an MLB broadcast since retiring, as he's largely remained away from the game. In 2015, he did work as the Miami Marlins hitting coach, but was let go at the end of the season.

Bonds has appeared on several podcasts over the past few years including the "All the Smoke" podcast and the "R2C2" podcast. Additionally, Bonds has appeared a few times on MLB Network, including in a viral video with Greg Maddux.