In the world of live television, the unexpected can often happen.

These short snippets could lead to moments of genuine surprise, laughter, and even controversy.

Such was the case during a recent sports broadcast that sparked a heated debate about professionalism in sports media.


During a broadcast of an Atlanta Braves-Toronto Blue Jays match, FanDuel Sports Network reporter Wiley Ballard found himself at the centre of a media storm.

One of Ballard's recent appearances became the talk of the town due to an incident that unfolded on live television.

While Ballard was interviewing two female fans at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ballard's banter took an inappropriate turn.

The segment, initially meant for light-hearted interaction, quickly escalated when Braves play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin suggested that Ballard should get the women's phone numbers.


'Okay, Wiley, you got five innings, four innings to get the numbers,' Gaudin said on air.

'Get us some more Braves fans.'

This request prompted Ballard to pull his phone out and collect the fans' phone numbers.

Sports analyst CJ Nitkowski chimed in on the incident.

'This might be the new move,' Nitkowski said, suggesting that it could be a new way to interact with women.


One of the women played along and entered her number into Ballard's phone.

'I should have thought of this years ago. I got the number, we're good,' Ballard remarked.

The incident quickly spread across social media.

However, it drew criticism and fuelled discussions among viewers.

Watch the clip here:

Journalists, on the other hand, were appalled by the segment.

'An unprofessional disgrace, from the reporter, to the guys in the booth, to the producer in the truck who could've stopped it at any point,' Fox Sports' NFL writer Ralph Vacchiano said with disappointment.

ESPN reporter Ben Baby described the incident as a 'terrible look all the way around'.

'Feels like there were several moments in which someone could have said this wasn't a good idea,' the Cincinnati Bengals correspondent stated.

'This is gross,' White House correspondent Seung Min Kim stated.


Women in the broadcasting industry also highlighted the double standard at play.

'Imagine if a female reporter did anything like this,' The Washington Post's Chelsea Janes wrote.

'Career over. Pretty brutal to see it glorified by the broadcast.'

Arizona Cardinals correspondent Dani Sureck also questioned whether people would continue to doubt the professional intentions of women in sports journalism.

'We can all agree how inappropriate and nasty this is, not to mention the double standard, right?' Sureck asked.

As of writing, Ballard has not released a statement related to the incident, so have representatives for Gaudin or the Braves.

This issue raised essential questions about the boundaries of on-air conduct.
What do you think about this incident? Was it a harmless joke or a serious breach of professional conduct? Share your views and opinions about this issue in the comments below.