Elle Duncan would love to see Netflix Sports land Hollywood star Kevin Costner for its first-ever coverage of Major League Baseball’s “Field of Dreams” game.
During an interview with Front Office Sports discussing Netflix’s coverage of the Home Run Derby on July 13, the ex-ESPN star also mentioned her excitement about hosting the MLB at “Field of Dreams” game between the Twins and Phillies on Aug. 13. And who better to be a part of the coverage than Costner, who starred in 1989’s Field of Dreams, as well as other baseball-themed movies?
Asked by FOS how likely it is that Netflix will be able to land the 2-time Academy Award-winner for its coverage, Duncan replied: “I don’t know. Your lips to Kevin’s ears. We’ll see. I know that Netflix always makes a really compelling pitch. So I’m certainly hoping that he’ll wanna be a part of it in some kind of way because he is the face of the Field of Dreams, and I know he’s still a really big baseball fan. So hopefully we can get him.”
Following the initial publication of this article, Duncan clarified on social media that she had no knowledge of Netflix negotiating with Costner—she just hopes it happens.
Costner previously participated in Fox Sports’s coverage of the first “Field of Dreams” game in 2021. Costner walked out of the cornfield and narrated the pregame. Fox also showed him addressing the crowd before the game and shaking hands with Yankees and White Sox players. “Is this heaven?” Costner asked the crowd, mimicking his famous line from the movie.
Duncan, the former SportsCenter anchor who leads Netflix coverage across multiple sports, will host a loaded team of analysts and announcers for the streamer’s Home Run Derby coverage from Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. Former MLB stars Barry Bonds, CC Sabathia, Hunter Pence, and Anthony Rizzo will serve as analysts, while announcer Matt Vasgersian and reporter Lauren Shehadi will provide additional coverage along with Duncan. As far as the format, this year’s Home Run Derby will be the first without a timer in a decade.
A month later, Duncan will be in Dyersville, Iowa, hosting Netflix’s coverage of MLB’s third “Field of Dreams” game. This marks Netflix’s first season as an MLB rightsholder, with the streamer’s package including standalone events such as MLB Opening Night, the Home Run Derby, and the “Field of Dreams” game.
Costner, the Oscar-winning 71-year-old actor/director, recently headlined in Paramount’s hit streaming series Yellowstone. Fox broadcast the first two games in 2021-2022 with Joe Buck and Joe Davis on play-by-play, John Smoltz as analyst, and Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci as reporters.
Duncan, a 10-year ESPN veteran, joined Netflix as an on-air host across sports and live events in December, 2025. Her assignments thus far have spanned a variety of events, including free climber Alex Honnold scaling one of the world’s tallest buildings, MLB Opening Night, and the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano boxing showcase.
