Broadcast shakeup gives Reds the opportunity to grant fans their wish

Buckle up, Reds fans! It could happen.

Cincinnati Reds infielder Joey Votto, Jim Day
Cincinnati Reds infielder Joey Votto, Jim Day | Emilee Chinn/Cincinnati Reds/GettyImages

The Cincinnati Reds have a new broadcast partner — Major League Baseball. After being tied up in court proceedings for quite some time, the Reds and Diamond Sports parted ways last week, and now Cincinnati has a new broadcast home for the 2025 season and beyond.

While some of the details still need to be ironed out, MLB will be producing Reds games next season. In addition to cable and satellite providers, there will be a streaming service that allows Reds fans to watch games as well.

But according to Reds' chief operating officer and chief financial officer Doug Healy, the broadcast team for next season has yet to be assembled. Healy said, “We haven’t had a chance to sit down and finalize our broadcaster lineup for the 2025 season." Reds fans are used to hearing the voice of John Sadak calling the games while Barry Larkin, Jeff Brantley, and Chris Welsh offer color commentary.

Broadcast shakeup gives Reds the opportunity to grant fans their wish & hire Joey Votto

And while that quartet, along with Jim Day, could very well be back in the booth for the 2025 season, the Reds have an opportunity to do something special. Joey Votto, who retired from baseball last season, has expressed an interest in being part of the game he played for 17 years, and many assume the former Reds' great might try his hand at broadcasting.

Before being signed by his hometown team (the Toronto Blue Jays) last offseason, Votto said that he'd received interest from a handful of jobs in the media. Reds fans saw during the 2022 season that Votto has a knack for being in front of the camera. The former Reds' first baseman also allowed fans to see more of his personality a few years back when he decided to join the social media revolution on X and Instagram.

The Reds have already spoken about Votto returning to the organization in some capacity, and it's hard to think of a better role for the former MVP than being behind the microphone on Opening Day. Whether in a full-time or part-time position, it would be great to have Votto back where he belongs.

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