While Yankees executives have not yet asked their TV/Radio carriers to ante-up to help defray the cost of signing Aaron Judge to a massive contract extension, the ramifications of Judge’s ultimate decision on the Bombers broadcast partners are extraordinary.

If Judge splits the Bronx for greener pastures, the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network and Audacy (the radio rights holder) lose a ratings and advertising magnet of incalculable proportions. It would be a business disaster. His departure would leave the Yankees not only with a massive hole in their lineup but one void of a transcendent superstar. Coming off an historical 2022 season, Judge, in 2023, will be catapulted even higher into the celebrity stratosphere as the ultimate Yankee, the face of Major League Baseball.

Without Judge, YES (aka Judge TV), would not be on pace to having its best Yankees season in 11 years. Al Yankzeera is averaging 354,000 total viewers for its Bombers telecasts this season, 24% higher than 2021. Without Judge’s all-around presence, and continued anticipation of his must-see at-bats next season, YES will be hard pressed to continue pulling high viewership numbers, especially with the Mets expected to bring more star power to Citi Field.

While YES suits can stress the benefits of Judge to their continued success, they are powerless to influence, or pressure, Hal Steinbrenner who will have the final say on how far, in terms of money and length of contract, the Yankees will go to keep the slugging outfielder. The Yankees also own the majority stake (26%) in YES. Unless Steinbrenner has an argument with himself, there will be no dissent. The ultimate decision on Judge will be made by one happy family.

Local TV outlets pay baseball owners for TV rights. Under that system, it’s not unusual for TV execs to express opinions on a team’s performance or even make suggestions on free agent acquisitions. Some TV suits have helped finance the contract of a particular player. One of the biggest examples of a TV outlet “chipping in” came in the NHL. Many moons ago, in 1988, the Los Angeles Kings traded players and $15 million to Edmonton for superstar Wayne Gretzky. L.A.-based PrimeTicket Network, the Kings TV home, paid $2.5 million to cover a portion of Gretzky’s contract.

It would also be advantageous for Rob Manfred and his MLB crew, if Judge remained with the Yankees. With Judge in pinstripes, playing in the world’s biggest media market, MLB’s national TV partners (Fox, ESPN, TBS, Apple and Peacock) could give Judge and the Yankees maximum exposure, raising the prospect of producing consistently hefty viewership numbers.

Manfred cannot get involved with individual player contracts. All he can do, if he even cares, is hope “for the good of baseball” that Judge remains in pinstripes

So, any pressure on the Yankees to pay Judge big money will come from the media and fans. With Judge on his home run tour, there have already been columns and radio rants about what the Yankees “gotta do.” Yankees GM Brian Cashman knows how to deal with media heat. Not only has he cultivated good relationships with boss scribes but knows when to talk and when to stay mum.

Steinbrenner has shown he won’t melt in the media spotlight, which he eschews. He mostly does his talking through press releases. And as the ultimate decision maker, he will look at the numbers (money and years) and make a bottom-line decision.

A decision that will determine whether Judge TV continues — only on YES.

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Aaron Judge’s relationship with the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network was first brought into question a year ago when it was reported he didn’t like being spied on by network cameras as he and his teammates moved around inside the Bombers dugout.

Is the “relationship” still shaky? Tuesday night, After the Yankees wild 9-8 win over Pittsburgh capped by Giancarlo Stanton’s dramatic game winning, 9th inning grand slam homer, which followed Judge connecting on his historic 60th HR, Stanton showed up for the on-field postgame interview with Meredith Marakovits. During the chat, YES’ cameras showed a smiling Judge waiting in the dugout.

This left us with the impression Judge would come out for an interview when Stanton finished. After a classic telecast, YES wouldn’t leave a hole in it by not getting an on-field interview Judge? That’s what happened. Yankee sources said the plan was for Stanton to be interviewed by Marakovits and then by radio analyst Suzyn Waldman. Judge was supposed to follow Stanton and do separate interviews with the two reporters. He declined.

Judge eventually did his post game stuff in the interview room with the entire press corps. While YES downplayed Judge’s no-show with Marakovits, it’s apparent Judge isn’t giving YES any “exclusive” time as he chases history.

Perhaps Judge is just cashing in “receipts” for his spy-cam complaints?

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Is Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo saving his best material for his SXM radio soiree and withholding it from ESPN’s First Take?

The question is legit after hearing him, on both outlets, put a verbal beat-down on Colts coach Frank Reich.  On First Take, Doggie lashed out at Reich, saying he stinks, he’s not a great coach and has acoordinator’s mentality.

Yet on his Monday SXM Fiesta, Russo went further and was more specific, saying Reich is “protected” by some big-name NFL TV analysts. Russo used strong adjectives and named names (which he didn’t on FT). Included on Dog’s hit-list were Reich’s close buddy, CBS’ Norman Julius Esiason and CBS’ Phil Simms, who does a weekly SXM spot with Russo. Dog stopped short of saying the former QBs are carrying Reich’s water, but accused them of “always praising Reich.”

Hot stuff!

When it comes to making decisions on replaying grotesque and uncomfortable moments during ESPN’s “Monday Night Football,” the network’s production crew doesn’t show much sympathy—or judgement.

Did ESPN really have to replay (twice) video of Bills DB Dane Jackson having his neck violently snapped back in a collision with teammate Tremaine Edmunds? At least ESPN stopped replaying the hit before anambulance came on the field to transport Jackson to the hospital.

On the air, play-by-play voice Steve Levy said: “Really tough to watch that.”

Amen.

AROUND THE DIAL

By the end of the week we were totally confused: Was Michael Kay more interested in his own crusade   to be in a broadcast booth to deliver play-by-play of Aaron Judge’s 60, 61, 62 HR’s than he was in Judge’s quest to break Roger Maris’ historic HR record? … The Yankees/YES’ sudden concern about getting Apple+ to move off Friday’s Red Sox-Yankees tilt for the greater good of Bombers fans was hilarious — hilariously hypocritical. YES suits didn’t show any concern for their loyal viewers when they sold 21 games, which, for many moons had aired on Ch. 11, to Amazon Prime. Amazon owns 15% of YES. … Mike Kessler, the man who caught Judge’s 60th HR, took a lot of needless, most of its gratuitous, heat from Valley of the Stupid, greed-infested, Gasbags who would rather he kept the ball and sold it. Yet Kessler’s allegiance to Judge, the Yankees and baseball, reveals him to be the truest sort of fan. Commissioner Rob Manfred should invite Kessler to sit with him at a game. That picture would be good for baseball. … Carlos Beltran was smooth working in YES’ studio with Jack Curry and Bob Lorenz. Beltran’s demonstration segment on how Judge has adjusted his swing was insightful without being tootechnical. … Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens will join Kay and Alex Rodriguez on ESPN’s Sunday K-Rod cast (Red Sox-Yankees). Looking forward to this PED’s seminar. God help the ‘Roids Boys if they mess up Kay’s Judge HR call.

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DUDE OF THE WEEK: ROGER FEDERER

For his graceful farewell. The twenty Grand Slam titles are enough to place him among the immortals in tennis. But it’s the class, dignity and respect he showed in every match that will never be forgotten.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: MLB TONIGHT CREW

For being silly. There must have been a full moon out Tuesday night. Why else would the panelists be so hung up, questioning why the Yankees would bat Aaron Judge in the lead-off spot? They also contended that the Mets should be satisfied with a Wild Card slot. They saw no need for them to go full steam to win the division.

DOUBLE TALK

What Kenny Golladay said: “I’m not here to be friends with coaches. They’re just co-workers to me.”

What Kenny Golladay meant to say: “I like my co-workers, just not the ones who won’t let me play.”

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