The Savannah Bananas just made one of the most unexpected and exciting moves in sports entertainment. The innovative baseball team partnered with EGOT-winning songwriting duo Pasek&Paul to create“Show Starts Now,”the team’s first-ever original anthem. The collaboration includes co-writers Cal Shapiro, Ashley Gorley, and Ben Johnson, with Broadway star Derek Klena delivering the vocal performance. What makes this moment even bigger is the timing: the song is premiering live on the 2026 ESPYS from Lincoln Center in New York City tonight, giving millions of viewers a front-row seat to this crossover moment before it drops on all streaming platforms at midnight.
This isn’t just a random collaboration between celebrities and a baseball team. Pasek&Paul are the creative force behind some of the biggest Broadway musicals and award-winning film scores, so their involvement signals that the Savannah Bananas are serious about elevating the entertainment experience around their brand. The Bananas themselves have already revolutionized baseball through their Banana Ball Championship League format, which prioritizes speed, action, and fan engagement over traditional rules. Adding a professionally crafted, award-winning anthem to that package shows they understand that modern sports audiences want more than just the game—they want a complete entertainment experience.
Derek Klena bringing his Broadway credentials to this project adds another layer of star power. He’s known for roles in Jagged Little Pill and Anastasia, so hearing him perform an original sports anthem on one of the biggest sports nights of the year creates a unique cultural moment that bridges theater, music, and athletics. Whether“Show Starts Now”becomes a genuine fan favorite or just a fun one-night ESPYS moment, this collaboration proves that sports organizations willing to take creative risks and invest in quality entertainment can capture attention in ways traditional approaches never could. Are you planning to catch the ESPYS performance tonight, or will you wait for the midnight drop to hear the full track?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.