It’s not about changing the game — it’s about changing the way the game is shared.
Imagine a baseball game crossed with a circus, TikTok challenge, and live comedy show. That’s the Savannah Bananas. They tour nationally, selling out real MLB stadiums with their choreographed dances mid-game, often playing in kilts and involving fans in zany stunts. And get this — in the past 90 days all MLB Teams combined earned 71.7M YouTube views while the Bananas, alone, earned 42.9M.
This very untraditional approach to the sport of baseball has put the Savannah Bananas on the same playing field (literally and figuratively) as the MLB itself. In the past 90 days, the Bananas are nearly tied for social video engagements with MLB-owned content across platforms.
But the Savannah Bananas didn’t just go viral because their version of baseball is quirky. They have succeeded because they built a content machine — optimized for fan interaction and community-first storytelling.
So what could the New York Mets learn from the Savannah Bananas? Don’t worry — Francisco Lindor doesn’t need to dance on stilts to win on social. Rather, it’s about leagues and teams thinking more like media creators. In Q1 2025 alone, the Bananas posted 385 videos across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. That’s more than four times the output of the Atlanta Braves over the same period. They averaged 1.5 videos per day just on YouTube. And of their 132 YouTube videos, 92 were Shorts — that’s 69.7%, to be exact.
Meanwhile, as baseball returned, Bananas’ TikTok viewership exploded from 7.3M in January to 117M in March — a 1,503% increase in just two months. Their top TikTok in April? A comment-reaction post that racked up 17.6M views in 30 days. Engagement isn’t just a tactic; it’s a strategy.
And it’s working. Their Facebook audience is 56% female — a rarity in traditional sports. Compare that to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have just 21% female followers on Facebook. The Bananas are growing a new kind of sports fan, overlapping sports with other verticals like dance and pop-music.
Here are five content lessons every traditional team and broadcaster can learn from the Savannah Bananas’ viral playbook:
1. Entertain First, Inform Second
The Bananas treat every moment as a content opportunity. From choreographed dances to in-game skits, their videos are high-energy, funny, and tailor-made for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Inspiration for traditional teams: Think beyond highlight reels. Share mic’d-up moments, locker room energy, coach banter — give fans a peek into athlete camaraderie and team culture, not just the scoreboard.
2. Optimize for Platforms, Not Just Cameras
Banana Ball moments are designed for the feed — vertical framing, attention-grabbing hooks, and short runtimes. While they still stream full two-hour games on their YouTube channel, they also make Reel-friendly edits that are ready to be shared across short-form social platforms.
Inspiration for broadcasters: Recut content by format. A 2-hour game can yield 6 punchy Instagram Reels, a behind-the-scenes TikTok, and a YouTube mini-doc.
3. Turn Athletes into Characters
Savannah players all have nicknames, gimmicks, and showman personalities. It’s sports meets storytelling, and fans follow their favorite characters like influencers.
Inspiration for teams: Build athlete narratives. While the interior of many athletes’ lives remain mysterious, the truth is professional players are also personal brands. Let fans follow their journeys, rivalries, and off-field personalities to build intrigue and loyalty. Featuring content with their families, spouses, or partners can be an easy way to show their lives outside the stadium.
4. Leverage a Fan-First Content Strategy
The Bananas don’t just post content — they co-create it with their audience by listening to and engaging with comments. Their most-watched TikTok in April 2025 earned 17.6M views in the first 30 days and was a direct reply to a fan comment.
Inspiration for teams: Prioritize fan interaction. Lean into user-generated content (UGC), and use comments as an indicator for the type of content and information your audience wants to see from you. Your audience wants to be part of the action – let them.
5. Create Content That Appeals to Everyone — Not Just Sports Fans
The Bananas have mastered the art of dual appeal. On one hand, they know how to play to adult audiences — such as male players flaunting just enough for the female gaze. It’s cheeky and suggestive without crossing the line, striking a balance that’s bold (but never inappropriate).
On the other hand, their games are filled with laugh-out-loud, kid-friendly moments that go viral for being wholesome. Think: baby-crawling races toward their parents, toddlers stealing the show during on-field promos, and emotional family reunions in front of packed stadiums. It’s sports content engineered to melt hearts and get laughs — all while being extremely shareable.
Inspiration for teams: You don’t have to choose between edgy and endearing. Make content that resonates with multiple audiences — from Gen Z women to sports moms, casual viewers to hardcore fans. A broader appeal drives higher engagement, more shares, and a more inclusive fanbase.
The Savannah Bananas didn’t break the internet just by being different. They did it by being deliberately digital. With the right strategy, traditional teams can do it too — no stilts required.
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