Jessica Mendoza, Melanie Newman to reportedly call ESPN's first all-women MLB broadcast
ESPN is following in MLB's footsteps. Jessica Mendoza and Melanie Newman will serve as the broadcast team on ESPN's first ever all-women MLB broadcast Sept. 29, according to CNN.
The teams that will take part in the contest — which will be nationally televised — have not been determined yet.
Both Mendoza and Newman have broken a number of barriers during their careers. Mendoza was the first regular woman MLB analyst at ESPN. She also became the first woman MLB analyst to call a playoff game.
Newman joined the Baltimore Orioles as a broadcaster in 2020. She has called play-by-play with the team and served as a sideline reporter during games. Newman provided play-by-play during MLB's first all-women broadcast in July. That game, which aired on YouTube, featured the Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays.
Mendoza told CNN the game was an opportunity for women to "hear a voice that represents them" in the booth.
"For young girls, women and Latinas, to hear a voice that represents them is so impactful for not only the sport to grow its audience, but to continue to broaden the opportunities for more young girls, women and Latinas to do the same," she told CNN Business.
Mendoza previously served as part of ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" booth. She was removed from the role in 2020, but remained with the network as an analyst.
Prior to working at ESPN, Mendoza won a gold medal as part of Team USA Softball.