The Savannah Bananas, the exhibition baseball team known for viral social media moments and entertainment-focused gameplay, tapped Benj Pasek and Justin Paul to create an original song. The duo won an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) for their work on The Greatest Showman and La La Land, making them among the most decorated songwriting partnerships in entertainment.
Pasek and Paul bring serious credentials to the Bananas' roster. Their Grammy-winning "City of Stars" from La La Land and their Oscar-nominated work on The Greatest Showman established them as masters of theatrical, emotionally resonant pop music. The pair has also composed for Dear Evan Hansen and other major Broadway productions.
The Savannah Bananas built their brand by embracing entertainment over pure baseball tradition. The independent minor league team plays exhibition games with modified rules, energetic between-inning performances, and constant visual spectacle. Their approach generates millions of views across TikTok and Instagram, positioning them as a sports entertainment hybrid rather than conventional baseball.
Bringing in EGOT winners signals the team's commitment to elevating their entertainment value. An original Pasek-Paul composition could become the team's anthem, potentially used in promotional materials, live games, or social content. The collaboration blends two entertainment worlds: Broadway-caliber songwriting with the viral sports entertainment space.
The move reflects broader trends in sports marketing. Teams increasingly invest in content creation and entertainment experiences beyond game performance. The Bananas have proven this strategy works, attracting younger audiences who might skip traditional baseball but engage with sports as entertainment content.
Details about the song's release date and how it will be featured remain limited. However, the partnership represents a significant coup for an organization that started as a minor league novelty and evolved into a legitimate entertainment property with genuine industry pull.