New show for A-Rod Former big-leaguer to host ESPN program.
Look out for more Alex Rodriguez on a television near you.
The ex-baseball star with deep South Florida ties has been given a new four-part interview series on ESPN and ESPN Deportes called “Pivot with Alex Rodriguez.” A-Rod will serve as executive producer and host of the show.
In each episode, Rodriguez “will conduct an indepth, one-on-one interview with a current or former star athlete who is navigating through obstacles in their life and career,” ESPN said in announcing the program Tuesday morning.
While A-Rod’s greatest claim to fame these days may be his relationship with Jennifer Lopez, he’s recently become a prominent TV face. Rodriguez, 42, is in his first season as an ingame analyst on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” telecasts. He had done some broadcast work for Fox prior to that and was even a guest shark on ABC’s “Shark Tank.”
Now he’s tackling a new format with in-depth interviews.
“Change can be good, and even necessary, for athletes facing their most difficult moments,” said Rodriguez, who played 22 major league seasons for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners after breaking out as a high school star in Miami. “However, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to turn the lens inward while living life in the public arena. I’m looking forward to uncovering personal stories the world deserves to hear, while sharing the lessons I’ve learned — sometimes through the hard way.”
Rodriguez has publicly lamented how his use of performance-enhancing drugs cost him millions of dollars and likely the chance to be selected to the Hall of Fame.
In the past year, Rodriguez has opened a couple gyms in South Florida. His name was tossed around during the Marlins’ sale process last year, and after his ex-teammate (and frenemy) Derek Jeter secured the team, A-Rod gave a few suggestions about how to turn them around. He does still have a reason to pull for his hometown team after the Marlins drafted his nephew last year.
It remains to be seen whom Rodriguez will interview on his new show. A start date for “Pivot” also hasn’t been announced, but ESPN says the series will air during the MLB regular season.
“Alex knows as well as anybody what it’s like to have his life and career play out in a very public fashion,” said Freddy Rolon, vice president and general manager of ESPN Deportes programming. “He is an exceptional communicator who will be able to conduct candid and informative interviews with athletes about their own public trials and tribulations. Alex has been a terrific addition to Sunday Night Baseball this season, and with Pivot, we look forward to expanding our creative relationship.”