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Pivot Podcast

The Savannah Bananas From Baseball to Banana Ball: Reinventing the Game into a global sensation with a fan-first approach, owners Jesse and Emily Cole, shares how a crazy idea turned into a booming business taking empty seat to sold-out NFL stadiums.

Pivot Podcast

The Pivot Podcast Network

Football, Society & Culture, Sports

4.92.6K Ratings

🗓️ 9 May 2025

⏱️ 78 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

“This is unlike any sporting event I’ve ever been to.” Ryan Clark The Savannah Bananas are best described as a wildly entertaining, baseball-meets-circus experience that blends sports with showmanship. They’ve reinvented the traditional baseball game by creating “Banana Ball,” a faster, fan-first version of the sport with unique rules, dancing players, and nonstop crowd engagement. More than just the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball—it’s competition at the highest , part athleticism, part theater, and 100% fun. The Savannah Bananas aren't just a baseball team — they're a movement. In this episode, we sit down with Jesse Cole, the visionary in the yellow tux, and his wife and business counterpart, Emily,  who welcome  Ryan, Channing, and Fred to their baseball mecca as they break down how the Savannah Bananas took the most traditional sport in America and turned it into a high-energy, sold-out, must-see experience. From dancing players to a fan-first philosophy, Jesse shares how breaking the rules, betting on fun, and building a unique culture created a global sensation. This episode is about more than baseball — it's about leadership, trailblazing, and having the guts to pivot when the world says play it safe. Games are packed with choreographed dances, stilt-walking players, and spontaneous celebrations. Although this blend of baseball and performance art has drawn comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters- Ryan, Fred and Channing learn quickly the competition is fierce and far from scripted.  Under owner Jesse Cole's leadership, the team prioritizes fan experience above all. This includes all-inclusive low ticket pricing, ad-free ballparks, and interactive elements that have re-ignited a love for America's past time and how this team turned from a struggling minor league squad into a global entertainment sensation. It's not just baseball — it’s Banana Ball.. And for the players, Baseball will never be the same and that's ok because the athletes embrace Banana Ball as an opportunity to shine, be attached to a sport they love while inspiring millions around the world with fun, entertainment and pure joy. Stars Kyle "KJ" Jackson, Malachi Mitchel and Bret Helton share with the guys their backstory boasting high-skill levels, being a part of viral moments and creating a bucket-list attraction that has led to selling out NFL and MLB stadiums across the country! The Savannah Bananas have become a viral sensation by transforming baseball into an electrifying entertainment experience that appeals to fans of all ages. Beyond baseball- We learn the Cole's motivation and passion in their personal and family life run parallel to their gratitude in general, as they give us a look into their family dynamic and opening up not just their hearts but their homes to fostering kids, adopting their two little girls and using the banana's platform for positivity around fostering and adoption. Buying into Banana ball is only through blood, sweat and tears as we uncover how these talented athletes choose to join the Banana family, and how it's not about wins and losses- it's how you are seen on and off the field and what drives them each day to give fans an unprecedented experience.  Truly an inspirational story of second chances for athletes and making big leaps for entrepreneurs who aren't afraid to take chances, follow a dream and turn their passion into purpose. Tap into this conversation and social for our full conversation and see Ryan, Channing and Fred get immersed into Banana culture and become fans for life. Catch the Savannah Bananas on ESPN Saturday night as they take Banana Ball on a stadium tour with a wait list of millions hoping to be a part of the action!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Welcome back to another spectacular match day, but what's this?

0:03.4

Looks like the fans are playing Coral's free reward shaker.

0:06.8

The half and half scarfers shaking decisively for once.

0:09.9

They backed a super boost.

0:12.2

Next to them, the Prawn Sandwich Brigade.

0:14.5

Oh, they've shaken up a free bet after that free lunch.

0:17.6

Play Coral's free reward shaker to win guaranteed daily rewards and offers this season.

0:22.3

Coral, we're here for it.

0:24.0

18 plus UK max one reward or offer per player per day. Reward restrictions, requirements and

0:28.1

teas and seas apply. Gambleaware.org. When we landed in Savannah and headed to Banana Land,

0:32.5

we didn't know what to expect, but we spent the day having the best time. With owners Emily and Jesse Cole, you know Jesse,

0:39.3

the dude with the yellow tucks, players entertained with their beautiful personalities and dazzled with their

0:45.1

gloves and their bats. No wonder why they're selling out stadiums. The Savannah bananas are simply the

0:50.7

best. They're wildly entertaining. Their baseball meets circus experience that

0:55.4

blends sports with showmanship. They reinvented the traditional game of baseball by creating

1:01.7

banana ball. It's faster and it's a fan-first version of the sport with unique rules, dancing

1:07.5

players, and non-stop crowd engagement. It's more than just the Harlem Globe trottles of baseball.

1:13.9

It's competition at its highest.

1:15.8

It's part athleticism, part theater, but 100% fun.

1:21.4

First time ever doing an interview up here.

1:22.8

This is new guys.

1:23.6

I like doing it.

...

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