ST. LOUIS — In a move that shocked Cardinals fans and local sports media, FanDuel Sports Network announced the end of Jim Hayes’s role — a player associated with the team for 25 years — on St. Louis Cardinals’s game shows. This news not only stunned the Cardinals community, but also left Hayes himself heartbroken about the possibility of this being the final show of a quarter-century broadcasting career.
Jim Hayes, a familiar face to Cardinals fans as a reporter and pre- and post-game host, was a storyteller, providing insightful perspectives on the team that fans couldn’t do without at the start of each season. But under FanDuel’s new structure, a restructuring of production and cost reduction, Hayes will primarily appear in home broadcasts, while Alexa Datt will secure the role of sole road game anchor and reporter—a role previously held by at least two people.
This move aligns with the network strategy already implemented for the NBA and NHL—shifting programming from the studio to live on-location and streamlining staff. But for Hayes, who has worked tirelessly in all conditions—rain or shine, nights out on the road, commentary after sweet victories or bitter defeats—this shift carries far greater symbolic significance than a simple job adjustment.
According to an insider who spoke with us, in recent conversations, Hayes revealed that he felt this time might mark the “final chapter” of his role as a broadcaster for the Cardinals. After two decades of quietude since he began with the network, connecting with the Cardinals fan community was more than just work—it was a deep personal connection to each viewer, each moment of victory, and each of the team’s downfalls.
One fan in the community expressed on social media that they couldn’t imagine a broadcast without “Jimmy’s voice”—which had become an integral part of the Cardinals’ basketball viewing experience each season. These comments, simple as they are, reflect the unwavering connection between a storyteller and the hearts of St. Louis basketball fans.
Alexa Datt, who worked with the network for three seasons and took on various roles in post-game interviews, will continue to manage much of the on-road game role. The network believes Datt’s versatility and adaptability will suit the streamlined broadcast, but Hayes’s downsizing—after more than two decades of loyalty to the Cardinals—still evokes nostalgia in many.
While this has been decided as a “strategic network,” it cannot deny that Jim Hayes was a member of the historic Cardinals. From post-game player interviews to heartwarming messages to young baseball fans, he brought the voice of St. Louis pride to countless generations of viewers.
Now, as he heads into the next season with a more limited role, Hayes may be facing the final show of a remarkable journey—but his legacy will live on in the memories of Cardinals fans. The stories he tells, the moments of resolution and sharing… are never just information. They are the heart of the game.
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