The Varsity

NBC Sports’ Survival Strategy

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:01:00 -0000

Live from the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas, top NBC exec Jon Miller joins John for a candid conversation about his network’s strategy for competing with trillion-dollar, sports-hungry streamers. He also discusses why MLB left money on the table to partner with NBC, whether the sports rights bubble is real, where Peacock fits in NBC’s bigger picture, and much more.

This show is brought to you by the Sports Betting Alliance, advocating for
regulated, responsible, and legal online sports betting. Learn more at
sportsbettingalliance.org.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL’s Draft Day Fantasy

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:01:00 -0000

NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry joins John to discuss this week’s NFL Draft through a fantasy football lens—and what to watch for when the picks start rolling in. They also dig into ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network and what fans should expect from the programming. The NFL’s media rights negotiations come into focus too, along with a bigger picture conversation about the evolution—and future—of fantasy sports.

This show is brought to you by the Sports Betting Alliance, advocating for
regulated, responsible, and legal online sports betting. Learn more at
sportsbettingalliance.org.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Athletic’s Russini-Vrabel Stress Test

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Dylan Byers joins John to parse the Diana Russini–Mike Vrabel scandal, and shed light on the tensions it has exposed between The New York Times and The Athletic. Dylan breaks down the Times’ internal investigation, The Athletic’s initial defensive posture, and what the episode reveals about the ongoing challenges of integrating the two newsrooms.

This show is brought to you by the Sports Betting Alliance, advocating for
regulated, responsible, and legal online sports betting. Learn more at
sportsbettingalliance.org.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL’s Cracked Shield

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:40:00 -0000

Michael Nathanson rejoins the pod to discuss what the NFL must do to lock in its next round of media deals ahead of September’s kickoff—and what’s at stake if it doesn’t. They also examine the potential ripple effects of the D.O.J.’s latest investigation, which Michael says could spell more trouble for broadcasters than for the NFL itself. Plus, Michael explains why he believes the sports media landscape writ large is as strong as it’s ever been.

This show is brought to you by the Sports Betting Alliance, advocating for
regulated, responsible, and legal online sports betting. Learn more at
sportsbettingalliance.org.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Much NFL Is Too Much?

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

NBC Sports’s Mike Florio joins John to tackle the most pressing questions facing the NFL as it stares down a highly consequential offseason—from looming media rights negotiations and the potential loss of its antitrust exemption to referee labor talks, the continued push for an 18-game schedule, the league’s expanding appetite for marquee midweek games, and much more.

This show is brought to you by the Sports Betting Alliance, advocating for
regulated, responsible, and legal online sports betting. Learn more at
sportsbettingalliance.org.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mashburn’s N.I.L. Market Theory

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Kentucky Wildcat legend and former NBA veteran Jamal Mashburn joins John to break down the strange duality of college basketball, where the business is increasingly chaotic but the on-court product has arguably never looked better. He explains how mid-majors can navigate the N.I.L. maze, emphasizes the growing premium on education and career development for student-athletes, and reflects on how his own playing career laid the groundwork for his second act as an entrepreneur.

This show is brought to you by the Sports Betting Alliance, advocating for
regulated, responsible, and legal online sports betting. Learn more at
sportsbettingalliance.org.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reinventing America’s Favorite Pastime

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s Jeff Passan joins John to break down the sweeping changes reshaping MLB—from the new robo umps to the ripple effects of the pitch clock. They also discuss Netflix’s MLB debut and baseball’s evolving streaming future, the global momentum of the World Baseball Classic, whether Olympic participation is finally within reach, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPNW’s Growth Engine

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Top ESPN exec Susie Piotrkowski joins John to talk about the explosion of women’s sports, from the surging popularity of the WNBA and women’s college basketball to the growing reach of the NWSL. She also dives deep into ESPN’s push to mainstream the category, including the launch of “Women’s Sports Sundays” this summer—and discusses how stars like Trinity Rodman and Caitlin Clark are accelerating the shift. Twenty nations and territories will compete in the World Baseball Classic with rosters featuring 78 MLB All-Stars, the most ever. Learn more at ⁠WorldBaseballClassic.com⁠.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Presenting The Draymond Green Show | Draymond Green Versus Skip Bayless

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

On the Draymond Green Show, no topic is off limits. In this episode Draymond welcomes Skip Bayless to discuss Michael Jordan, Stephen A Smith, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and they debate whether or not Draymond is really the dirtiest player of all time.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside MLB’s Netflix Experiment

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand joins John to break down the biggest media storylines shaping the MLB season—from its Netflix “experiment” to the future of the World Series and World Baseball Classic. They also dig into the NFL’s looming rights negotiations and whether the league is pushing too far with its ask, plus what the PSKY-WBD deal could mean for the future of March Madness.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Broadcast Survives in a Netflix World

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Curtis LeGeyt, C.E.O. of the National Association of Broadcasters, joins John to assess the future of local TV in a streaming-first world. He weighs in on the need for scale in competing with tech giants like Netflix and Amazon, scrutinizes the Tegna-Nexstar deal, argues for modernized regulations to keep broadcasters in the game, discusses the NAB’s role in defending the First Amendment—and much more. Twenty nations and territories will compete in the World Baseball Classic with rosters featuring 78 MLB All-Stars, the most ever. Learn more at ⁠WorldBaseballClassic.com⁠.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN's Talent Whisperer

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN senior vice president Mike Foss joins John to spill the secrets on running the network’s studio shows, from SportsCenter to First Take to Get Up. He explains why The Pat McAfee Show is in a league of its own, how ESPN balances talent across different shows and platforms, their biggest digital headaches and opportunities, and much more. Plus, his take on why collaboration beats top-down management.

Twenty nations and territories will compete in the World Baseball Classic with rosters featuring 78 MLB All-Stars, the most ever. Learn more at ⁠WorldBaseballClassic.com⁠.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NWSL’s Moneyball Moment

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman joins John to preview the upcoming season as its 14th is set to kick off tomorrow. She dives deep into the league’s meteoric growth, rising attendance, and viewership records. She also sheds light on the league’s expansion plans, media rights deals, the logic behind its new “high-impact player rule,” and much more. Twenty nations and territories will compete in the World Baseball Classic with rosters featuring 78 MLB All-Stars, the most ever. Learn more at ⁠WorldBaseballClassic.com⁠.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Ex Cable Cowboy on the Future of Sports

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

David Levy, the former Turner Networks prez turned sports marketing exec, joins John to chart the evolution of the industry, the streaming rights arms race, and the surprising implications of the Paramount Skydance–WBD deal. Then the guys chat about a potential CBS–Turner Sports merger and why women’s sports are primed for explosive growth. Twenty nations and territories will compete in the World Baseball Classic with rosters featuring 78 MLB All-Stars, the most ever. Learn more at ⁠WorldBaseballClassic.com⁠.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can the NHL Find Its Groove?

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

NHL commish Gary Bettman returns to chat about the state of professional hockey, the sport’s boost from the Olympics, and future expansion opportunities. Then they dig into the rights landscape writ large, prediction markets, and how the Paramount-WBD merger could be “very good” for the league.

Twenty nations and territories will compete in the World Baseball Classic with rosters featuring 78 MLB All-Stars, the most ever. Learn more at WorldBaseballClassic.com.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can ParaBros Keep the NFL?

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Guggenheim analyst Mike Morris joins John to discuss how a combined Paramount-WBD could impact future NFL media rights deals. Then they break down the true value of the league’s media contracts and how streamers like Netflix, Amazon and YouTube might eventually take even bigger pieces of the pie. Twenty nations and territories will compete in the World Baseball Classic with rosters featuring 78 MLB All-Stars, the most ever. Learn more at WorldBaseballClassic.com.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can MLS Win the World Cup?

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Roger Bennett, founder of the soccer-centric media company Men in Blazers, joins John to assess soccer’s American ascent ahead of the World Cup in Atlanta. He explains how the sport has quietly climbed to become the third most popular sport in the country, outlines the challenges and upside facing MLS, and breaks down why youth investment will determine whether the league can seize its moment. He also forecasts a World Cup–fueled surge in stateside fandom, and shares his outlook for Team USA.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLB’s Netflix Era

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand returns to parse MLB’s media rights reshuffle and how the league will be packaged across its many platforms, from Netflix to NBC. Marchand and John also discuss ESPN’s MLB programming pivot, grade Peacock’s Legendary February, and predict who will be the winners and losers of the NFL’s looming rights renegotiations. Plus: Barry Bonds’ new gig with Netflix and his enduring case for a spot in Cooperstown.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jay Bilas’s College Basketball Bull Case

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s college basketball savant Jay Bilas joins John with a surprisingly optimistic diagnosis of the sport. He argues the on-court product has never been better, and makes a case that N.I.L. has only strengthened—not fractured—collegiate athletics. Plus, his thoughts on reform, his take on March Madness expansion, and why the game’s best days may still be ahead.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Olympics Politics & LA28’s Epstein Problem

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Veteran sports columnist Christine Brennan joins John live from Milan to chew over the buzziest storylines emerging from the Winter Olympics. She discusses the unusually charged political atmosphere—including the notable booing of J.D. Vance at the opening ceremony, even as the U.S. team received significant applause—and why politics feels more front-and-center than usual among athletes. They also examine the controversy surrounding Casey Wasserman and whether his role leading the 2028 Los Angeles Games could be jeopardized after his name surfaced in the latest Epstein files.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NASCAR’s Roadmap to Victory Lane

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell joins John to reflect on his 20-year rise inside the company—going from the infamous “hat dance guy” to the executive now steering the motorsport’s high-stakes future. Then he breaks down the new playoff format, NASCAR’s global ambitions, why staying a “must-have” media property is more critical than ever, and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL’s New TV Order

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Ben Strauss, the now-former Washington Post media reporter, joins John to share a firsthand account of being swept up in the paper’s mass layoffs and the shuttering of its sports desk. Then they dive into NBC’s Super Bowl performance and the broader NFL ecosystem—from its international expansion and looming media rights negotiations to the league’s outsized influence over traditional networks, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Any Given Sunday With Mike Florio

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Live from Santa Clara, NBC Sports’ Mike Florio returns to the pod to take stock of the NFL’s biggest off-the-field storylines, from potential reforms to the Hall of Fame voting process after the first-ballot snubs of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft, to looming changes to the salary cap. They also weigh into the concerns about officiating, the league’s ongoing struggle to make the Rooney Rule effective, the NFL’s accelerating pivot toward streaming, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super Bowl LX Soliloquies

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Top NFL exec Jeff Miller joins John for a candid pre–Super Bowl Sunday deep dive. They dig into the league’s landmark new deal with ESPN and what it signals about the NFL’s evolving media strategy, the league’s increasing use of A.I. in player health and safety, why the Rooney Rule fell flat this hiring cycle—and what, if anything, the league can do to fix it.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Belichick’s H.O.F. Snub & Jerry Jones Succession Questions

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s Don Van Natta joins John to preview the biggest off-field storylines shaping Super Bowl week, starting with the news that stunned the league: Bill Belichick falling short of first-ballot Hall of Fame induction. They also dig into the NFL’s continued push toward an 18-game season, the criminal investigation into the NFLPA, Jerry Jones’s looming succession questions in Dallas, the Washington Post layoff saga—and more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The WaPo Reckoning & TikTok’s Next Act

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod to discuss the biggest storylines shaping the media and sports business—from the looming mass layoffs at The Washington Post to the implications of a potential Warner–Netflix merger. They also dig into TikTok’s new ownership structure, Peacock’s evolving sports rights strategy, and what it all signals about where the industry is headed.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Sports Media Marries the Sportsbook

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Washington Post contributor Danny Funt joins John to explore the uneasy moment facing the sports betting industry. As FanDuel and DraftKings feel the squeeze, Funt explains the hunt for higher margins, the marketing tactics fueling growth, and the growing demand for consumer protections. They also discuss how gambling has been increasingly woven into sports media—and whether the U.S. is inching toward tighter, European-style regulation.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marchand on the NFL’s Media Chessboard

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand joins John to break down the future of sports media rights, with a particular focus on the NFL. They discuss why so many leagues’ next deals hinge on the NFL’s upcoming negotiations, which NFL packages are most vulnerable to streamer disruption, why it’s no longer far-fetched to imagine Amazon eventually landing a Super Bowl—and more. Plus, why Travis Kelce is primed to be the next great play-by-play announcer.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLB’s Dodger Economics

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

The Athletic’s Evan Drellich joins John to break down the L.A. Dodgers’ $240 million deal for star outfielder Kyle Tucker and its potential implications on MLB’s next round of labor negotiations. They explore the renewed conversation around a salary cap, the parity between big- and small-market teams, the looming media rights reset, the prospect of a free-agency deadline, the financial strain on R.S.N.s like Main Street Sports and partners like FanDuel—and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside Ratner and Rubin’s Fanatics Content Factory

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Michael Ratner, C.E.O. of OBB Media, joins John to discuss his new joint venture with Michael Rubin’s Fanatics to launch Fanatics Studios—aiming to produce sports content across feature films, documentaries, and live events. Ratner explains how they plan to leverage Fanatics’ deep athlete relationships and league partnerships to disrupt the sports content market—and offers his read on where sports media is headed writ large.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside the NCAA’s Moneyball Era

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

NCAA president Charlie Baker joins John to confront the growing sense that college sports are in troubled waters. Baker breaks down the chaos of the transfer portal, the accelerated professionalization of college athletics, and why Congress may need to step in to impose uniform eligibility rules. He also discusses the NCAA’s media rights deal with ESPN, makes the case for expanding March Madness, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside NBC’s Sports-Ad Olympics

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Mark Marshall, NBCU’s global ads chief, joins John to talk shop about the sports media market. Marshall recounts selling out the Olympics weeks ahead of the opening ceremony (alongside the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Weekend…); what really went down with NBC’s big NBA deal; the action behind MLB’s new contract, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Youth Sports Went Pro

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

The New York Times’ Ken Belson joins John to discuss the professionalization—and monetization—of youth sports, and the mental-health toll for kids caught in the middle. He explains how private equity and big money have turned youth athletics into a sprawling $40 billion ecosystem, driving up costs and pressure on families nationwide. Then Ken shares the biggest storylines he’s pursuing for the upcoming NFL playoffs.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

YouTube’s Sports Takeover & More ’26 Predictions

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Sports media analyst Michael Nathanson swings by the pod to reveal the sports media plotlines insiders are tracking over the coming year. They discuss YouTube’s growing footprint in the sports streaming ecosystem, how legacy players like ESPN can maintain relevancy, whether a Netflix-WBD merger might impact TNT Sports, and much more.

Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Varsities: Sports Media’s 2025 Superlatives

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand joins John to bestow The Varsity’s inaugural Sports Media Awards—from the most overhyped plot line and the sleeper story that flew under the radar, to the best play-by-play announcer, top analyst, and the executive who moved the industry the most. Then they look ahead and call their shot on which executive takes home the 2026 crown. Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The CFP Expansion That Wasn’t

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

NBC Sports college football insider Nicole Auerbach returns to the pod to assess the state of the game through the College Football Playoff. She pores over the dud first-round matchups, explains why CFP expansion is probably off the table for 2026 thanks to Big Ten–SEC infighting, considers whether Notre Dame’s snub could force a conference move, digs into the intensifying financial strain on athletic departments—and much more. Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Netflix’s Anti-ESPN Thesis

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Netflix vice president of sports Gabe Spitzer joins John for a deep dive into the streamer’s event-first sports strategy—from the Jake Paul–Anthony Joshua fight to NFL games on Christmas Day. Spitzer explains why Netflix is chasing tentpoles, not volume, and how selective rights plays like the Women’s World Cup and MLB fit into a broader global sports push. They also dig into Netflix’s approach to sports docs, podcasts, and the company’s ambitions to be a truly global sports destination.

Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Windhorst’s NBA State of Play

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s NBA reporter Brian Windhorst joins John for a state-of-the-union on the league—and where it's headed next. They dig into the NBA Cup and its new 10-year Amazon deal, the league’s push into Europe, the enduring All-Star Weekend dilemma, and why, for all the handwringing, the on-court product has never been better. Plus, the rise of superstars in small markets like OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Nikola Jokic—and whether John has any reason at all to be hopeful about his hometown Washington Wizards.

Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

USA Sports’ Digital Glow-Up

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

USA Sports president Matt Hong joins John to talk shop about the post-Versant spin era. He breaks down the significant push into digital, their big investment in women’s sports like volleyball and the WNBA, why NASCAR has more gas left in the tank, and how USA is trying to keep one foot in linear TV while sprinting toward a very digital future. Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sports Media’s Winners (and Losers) of 2025

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Puck superfriends Julia Alexander, Eriq Gardner, and Dylan Byers reunite with John to debate the sports-media class of the year: David Ellison muscling into the rights wars, Pat McAfee cementing himself as the on-air talent north star, and the rest of the industry’s biggest winners of 2025. Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The MLS 3.0 Blueprint

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

MLS commissioner Don Garber joins John live from the University of Maryland’s Povich Symposium to chart the league’s MLS 3.0 blueprint. They discuss MLS’s rising fortunes, including its $21 billion collective valuation, and dig into the much-scrutinized Apple deal, now ending ahead of schedule. Garber stands by the partnership and lays out why he thinks MLS is well-positioned for the streaming age. Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing How We Made Your Mother Season 2!

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

It’s been 20 years since How I Met Your Mother premiered, and just over 10 years since the finale. Josh Radnor, who played “Ted” for nine seasons teams up with series co-creator Craig Thomas for this episode-by-episode rewatch podcast. For the superfans, HWMYM (listen to the trailer to learn how it’s pronounced) will get into all the secrets, theories, and pineapples, but we'll also use HIMYM – and our relationship to it two decades later – to talk about life and love and art and everything in between. How We Made Your Mother… a flashback podcast for a flashback show. You can listen to all episodes of season 1 now, and join Josh and Craig as they dive into season 2!

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2025 Sports Media Year in Review

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Puck superfriends Julia Alexander, Eriq Gardner, Dylan Byers, and John convene for a rollicking debrief of the most pressing sports media plot lines of 2025: YouTube’s unstoppable march toward inevitability, Netflix’s bold leap into live sports, the boom-bust mood swings of prediction markets and sports betting, and much more.

Explore how prediction markets skirt state authority and pose risks to consumers at AmericanGaming.org/predictionmarkets (http://americangaming.org/predictionmarkets)

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

College Football Gone Wild

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger joins John to discuss the chaos engulfing college football: ballooning N.I.L. bills, the slow march toward collective bargaining, and the fiscal headaches pummeling athletic departments. Plus, he and John look ahead at how the sport may evolve over the next three years—including what an expanded College Football Playoff might really entail.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marchand, Round 2!

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Varsity favorite Andrew Marchand reunites with John to debate the week’s biggest sports-media plot lines: the NFL’s holiday-week stacked matchups and Amazon Prime’s outsized role in juicing viewership; MLB’s new media-rights math; ESPN’s quiet strategic wins; and whether streamers like YouTube are ready to jump into the next bidding war. Plus: what Netflix poaching ESPN talent like Elle Duncan really signals about the streamer’s accelerating pivot into sports.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Berry’s Sports Media Crystal Ball

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry—also the founder of Fantasy Life—returns to the pod to chew over the biggest forces reshaping sports media, from A.I.’s slow commoditization of editorial talent to which major league is most likely to fall behind in the sports rights arms race. They also dig into the industry’s obsession with younger audience, reflect on Berry’s leap from ESPN to NBC, discuss the continued evolution of Fantasy Life, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vox-Netflix Podquake & ESPN Détente

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Axios’s Sara Fischer rejoins the pod for a rundown of the sports world’s biggest shakeups—from the YouTube TV-Disney standoff and YouTube TV’s crafty deals with Fox and NBCUniversal to the NWSL’s growing pains and the looming Warner Bros. Discovery fire sale. They also dig into the rise of independent creators and how Vox and Netflix are making plays amid the podcasting gold rush.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NWSL’s Big-League Breakout

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman joins John to discuss the league’s boom times—from surging TV ratings and record-breaking crowds to the league’s ubiquitous media strategy and upcoming expansion into Boston, Denver, and Atlanta—and why the forthcoming men’s World Cup could to supercharge everything.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Bornstein’s NFL Gospel

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Steve Bornstein, the architect behind both ESPN’s golden age and the launch of NFL Network, joins John to remember the late, great Paul Tagliabue—the commissioner who helped turn football into a billion-dollar religion. Bornstein also offers a seasoned view on today’s sports media circus, from the streaming wars to A.I.’s slow invasion of the industry.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hans Schroeder’s NFL Media Huddle

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

NFL’s top media executive Hans Schroeder joins John to discuss how the league is approaching their next wave of media rights negotiations, what the streaming era portends for the Sunday model, the surprising staying power of traditional broadcasters, the NFL’s global game plan, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing Free Range with Von Miller

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Step inside the mind of NFL legend Von Miller as he goes free range — from the gridiron to the culture at large. Each week, Von breaks down the biggest football stories, dives into the world of sports and entertainment, and chops it up with athletes, artists, and trendsetters shaping the conversation. Equal parts football IQ, locker room energy, and societal curiosity, Free Range is where game meets culture, and no topic is off-limits. You might even get some inside nuggets on this Super Bowl MVP’s chicken farm!

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Disney vs. YouTube & Nielsen’s New Math

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Julia Alexander joins John to discuss how Nielsen’s new out-of-home viewership data is reshaping Saturday night sports programming, and what it means for the leagues and networks chasing live audiences. They also dig into the YouTube TV–Disney standoff—pitting Disney’s content library against YouTube’s deep pockets—and explore YouTube’s broader sports ambitions, from user-generated highlights to international scale.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An NBA Betting Scandal Postmortem

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Fanatics Betting and Gaming C.E.O. Matt King joins John to break down the ripple effects of the NBA’s betting scandal. He digs into the league’s mostly quiet response, why legal markets matter more than ever, and what it all means for his business—and for the future of sports wagering itself.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside Amazon’s A-List Sports Strategy

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Live from New York, Amazon sports chief Jay Marine joins John to discuss Prime Video’s evolution from live-sports skeptic to major NFL bidder; why Amazon is pouring money into tier-one rights; and how that $20 billion NBA deal came together.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rubin’s Fanatics Formula

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Live from Puck’s In The Arena sports media conference, Fanatics founder Michael Rubin sits down with Bill Cohan and Michael Nathanson to discuss how he reimagined the sports merchandise world, built a digital juggernaut of commerce, collectibles, and betting, and became one of the most connected figures in sports and entertainment. He also opens up about Fanatics’ next chapter—including the path to a possible I.P.O.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gerry World

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

In a special episode, live from Puck’s inaugural In the Arena sports media conference, RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale joins John to discuss his investment philosophy for live sports, whether leagues have become overvalued, and how technology can save legacy media from itself.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Josh Harris Owner’s Manual

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Josh Harris—owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Commanders—joins John for a candid conversation about life as a multi-team owner and the cultural turnaround underway in D.C. He shares his vision for the Commanders’ future, his blueprint for a new stadium, and his thoughts on how private equity is reshaping sports ownership. He also weighs in on the NFL’s global ambitions and the challenges of juggling franchises across leagues.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the NFL Unstoppable?

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Ken Belson, The New York Times’ longtime sports business reporter, swings by the pod to discuss his new book on the NFL’s gargantuan and many-tentacled business, aptly titled Every Day Is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the NFL Into a Cultural & Economic Juggernaut. They break down the league’s long arc to cultural dominance, and whether anything can derail its success.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBC’s Hoop Dreams Redux

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NBC’s Frank DiGraci and Noah Eagle join John for a spirited NBA season preview, as the network and league reunite for the first time since the 2002 Finals. They break down how the deal came together, how NBC plans to evolve its coverage while nodding to its iconic hoops legacy, and why reaching younger fans is more important than ever. They also touch on the rise of athlete-owned media—and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NHL Rinkside Revelations

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s NHL analyst Greg Wyshynski joins John for a rollicking preview of the NHL season, which kicked off yesterday. He discusses the league’s labor peace and breaks down the new C.B.A. set to hit next September. He also weighs into their new media rights windfall, global expansion ambitions, the fiery USA-Canada rivalry, and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can a Billionaire Former NFL Player Fix College Sports?

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Cody Campbell, the billionaire Texas Tech booster and visionary behind the “Saving College Sports” campaign, joins John to diagnose what’s ailing college athletics, from the NCAA’s broken governance to its outdated economic model. He lays out a few provocative fixes, including a push to modernize media rights under the Sports Broadcasting Act—a move that could unlock as much as $7 billion in new revenue.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN’s D.T.C. Blitz

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Axios’s Sara Fischer reunites with John to discuss ESPN’s blockbuster deals with the NFL and MLB and the early splash of ESPN and Fox’s new D.T.C. products, each racking up over a million sign-ups in under two weeks. They also weigh in on NBC’s simmering turf war with YouTube TV, the looming possibility of an early NFL rights shake-up, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ellison’s Playbook & NFL’s $100B Bonanza

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Veteran media analyst Michael Nathanson returns to the pod for a romp through the sports media circus: David Ellison and Paramount’s sports rights binge, the NFL’s looming $110 billion rights bonanza, legacy media’s curious flirtation with niche sports, and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing Simpsons Declassified with Nancy Cartwright

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Simpsons fans —THE VAULT IS OPEN!

I’m Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson for 35+ years, and I’m finally taking you inside Springfield. Simpsons Declassified is your all-access pass to the world’s most iconic, animated series.

Each week, we crack open wild predictions, eerie coincidences and fan conspiracies and stories from 36 seasons (that’s 800+ episodes!) behind-the-scenes with writers, directors, the cast and celebrity superfans, PLUS…Simpsons-themed games— play along and test your Springfield IQ.

Hear exclusive stories from our guests who were there! Perhaps some scenes that almost never aired, the jokes that died, the ones that lived and the moments that still shock me at the mic.

Produced and showrun by Monica Gil-Rodriguez. From Audacy Podcasts and CRE84U Entertainment.

Follow now to get new episodes first — and drop your wildest Simpsons’ theory in a review for a chance to be featured on our uniquely unique podcast, Simpsons Declassified.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The UFL’s Scale-Up Era

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Dany Garcia, former Merrill Lynch executive and co-owner of the UFL, joins John to discuss her game plan for investing in sports and navigating the ever-changing media landscape. Garcia dives into how the UFL is staking its claim with deep-pocketed allies like Disney and Fox, while doubling down on storytelling, fan engagement, and clever innovation. She also tackles the challenges of building a startup league from scratch and the untapped potential of women sports.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Prime Play for Sports Rights

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Charlie Neiman, Amazon’s head of sports partnerships, joins John to discuss the company’s new deal with Augusta National to air four hours of the Masters each year. Then he pulls back the curtain on Amazon’s broader play for tier-one sports rights—including the NFL, NASCAR, and the upcoming NBA deal—plus how the company is tinkering with A.I. to reimagine its broadcasts, and more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Shapiro’s Media Rights Cage Match

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Mark Shapiro, president of WME Group and TKO, joins John for a candid conversation about his blockbuster UFC and WWE deals, and the market’s broader convulsions. Shapiro also offers his thoughts on Netflix’s and YouTube’s live sports strategies, weighs in on boxing’s resurgence, and ranks where Netflix’s Crawford–Canelo spectacle—which packed 70,000 into Vegas' Allegiant Stadium—belongs in the pantheon of championship bouts.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matty Ice Quarterbacks the CBS Booth

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Former pro bowl quarterback Matt Ryan joins John to discuss his transition from the sidelines to CBS’s star football analyst, and the art of calling the game. Then he weighs in on the league’s hottest debates—from the potential 18-game expansion to fantasy football, sports betting, and more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Clippers Bombshell & Belichickghazi

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Pablo Torre, former ESPN mainstay turned podcast sleuth, joins John to unravel his latest investigations—into Bill Belichick, the NFLPA, and most recently, his bombshell report on the Clippers’ alleged salary cap circumvention. He also weighs in on the tightrope of balancing independence with partnerships like The New York Times and The Athletic—and his aspirations for his podcast’s future, including potential expansion to television.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Any Given Streamday

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Dylan Byers joins John to dig into the NFL’s streaming playbook, starting with Friday’s YouTube debut. They discuss how the NFL, NBA, and other leagues are walking a tightrope between expanding their digital footprint and keeping legacy partners appeased. They also explore the so-called democratization of sports and news media, the outsized role of live rights, why ESPN’s shiny new app still needs some polishing—and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Any Given Algorithm

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Jon Kelly joins John to map the many fault lines in today’s sports media circus, from cable's slow bleed to the sports rights land grab by streamers like Netflix and Amazon. They also dig into YouTube’s NFL experiment in Brazil and why MLB’s golden age may be gone for good.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are the Cowboys Still America’s Team?

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NBC’s veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico joins John to yap about the upcoming NFL season that’s already brimming with soap opera-esque storylines—most recently the Cowboys shipping Micah Parsons off to Green Bay. Mike and John get into the ripple effects of the blockbuster deal, the NFL’s sustained brand dominance, Tirico’s next act leading NBC’s play-by-play NBA coverage, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roger Goodell’s Justice League

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NBC’s Mike Florio returns to the pod for a wide-ranging NFL season preview, tackling the biggest off-the-field questions facing the league: the NFL's in-house justice system, the league’s potential 10% ownership stake in ESPN and its impact on coverage, the NFLPA's leadership issues, the potential expansion to 18 games, and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

College Football Embraces the Crazy

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Fox Sports’ lead college football analyst Joel Klatt joins John to make sense of the sport’s ongoing upheaval—from playoff expansion madness and conference realignment to N.I.L. and the huge debates over the transfer portal. They also delve into ESPN’s continued GameDay supremacy over Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff (even after the Portnoy stunt), plus the Bill Belichick of it all.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yahoo’s Big Sports Play

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Ryan Spoon, president of Yahoo Media Group, joins John to announce the launch of the Yahoo Sports Network. He outlines the company’s strategy to serve content across mobile, web, YouTube, and FAST channels like Samsung TV Plus and Fubo. Spoon also discusses partnerships, the shift from linear to streaming, and Yahoo’s collaborative approach in a competitive sports media market.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does Baseball Need a Salary Cap?

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s Jeff Passan joins John to discuss the deepening tensions between MLB owners and the players union, highlighted by Bryce Harper’s recent altercation with commissioner Rob Manfred. Passan weighs the odds of a potential work stoppage and explains how a salary cap could reshape the future of baseball.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Sports Rights Royal Rumble

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod to help make sense of the biggest sports media plot lines from the past few weeks: Paramount’s $7.7 billion deal with UFC, ESPN’s respective bombshell pacts with the NFL and WWE, the network’s forthcoming D.T.C. product, and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Pate Gets Drafted

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Josh Pate, college football’s favorite late-night philosopher, joins the pod to break down his new distribution deal with On3/Rivals and Yahoo. Josh also retraces his winding path through the sports media ecosystem, and addresses a host of other topics affecting the college sports business.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick Khan on the WWE-ESPN Deal

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Nick Khan, president of WWE, joins John for an exclusive interview about the company’s blockbuster deal with ESPN to bring WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and its other premium live events to the network’s forthcoming streaming platform. They dig into what makes WWE such a coveted media property, the company's ongoing international expansion strategies, their partnerships with Netflix and Peacock, and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Sports Legend’s Second Act

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Sally Jenkins, perhaps the best sports columnist in the business, joins John for a candid conversation about her decision to leave The Washington Post after 25 years and join The Atlantic. She reflects on her rise through the ranks, Bezos’s generous buyout offer, the uncertain future of The Post, what she hopes to tackle in her next chapter—and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Art of the Sports Collectible

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Puck’s resident art market expert Marion Maneker swings by the pod for a rollicking conversation about the growing market for sports collectibles, from a recent $660,000 Caitlin Clark rookie card sale to the many ways auction houses are elevating collectibles into high art.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Major NFLPA Fumble

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s Don Van Natta joins the pod to break down the widespread dysfunction rocking the NFLPA—from sexual harassment claims to collusion accusations and more—that led to the abrupt resignation of executive director Lloyd Howell. They explore the myriad implications for the future of one of the most powerful labor organizations in sports.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dark Art of Stadium Financing

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Sports Business Journal’s Bret McCormick joins John to chart the shifting priorities in sports ownership, from media rights deals to the increased focus on real estate development. They dig into how organizations across professional leagues are leveraging real estate for steady income, touch on the myriad challenges of financing new stadiums, predict whether the Washington Commanders will return to R.F.K. Stadium, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Nathanson’s Sports Media Pulse Check

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Michael Nathanson joins John for a rollicking conversation about the future of sports media. They dig into the R.S.N. slow bleed, CBS’s shocking cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ESPN’s forthcoming D.T.C. service, which potential streamers will bid on NFL rights—and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dude, Where’s My NASCAR?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps joins John Ourand for a candid conversation about the sport’s evolving media ecosystem, including new deals with Fox, NBC, and Amazon Prime. Phelps also outlines NASCAR’s experimental growth strategy; explains why he’s not in competition with F1 and IndyCar; and weighs in on the simmering legal standoff with Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan—while making the case for why polarizing personalities like Hamlin are important for increasing fan engagement.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Berry’s Real Life Sports Fantasy

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry returns to the pod to share the growth story behind his fantasy sports startup, Fantasy Life. He explains how he attracted heavyweight investors like LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Jeff Shell, and how the company has carved out a niche in an oversaturated space—boasting 1.5 million daily users and a 73 percent jump in revenue since last year. Matthew also weighs in on how leagues are adapting to fantasy and wagering—and how fantasy sports continues to reshape the relationship between fans, leagues, and gambling.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here Come the Robo Umps…

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Puck’s A.I. expert Ian Krietzberg joins John for a deep dive into the growing influence of artificial intelligence in sports. Ian discusses the promise and pitfalls of A.I. in sports, from computer vision models to predictive analytics—and stresses the importance of deploying A.I. with intent, solving real-world problems rather than embracing the technology for novelty’s sake.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Caitlin Clark Effect

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Christine Brennan, the pioneering sports columnist, joins the pod to discuss her new book, “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports.” She unpacks the WNBA’s struggle to match the moment of Caitlin’s rise, the financial implications of Caitlin’s ascent, the league’s perpetual lack of media attention and support, and much more. Christine also reflects on her own trailblazing career pushing through sports journalism’s glass ceiling.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A College Football Power Grab & CBS Sports on Edge

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod for a sweeping tour of the most urgent issues in the sports media landscape—from the looming Trump–CBS settlement (and what a Skydance-Paramount merger portends for CBS Sports) to the College Football Playoff’s potential expansion, the growing leverage of live sports in ad markets, the possibility of a new NFL stadium in D.C., and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tennis’s Next Rafa and Serena?

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim—America’s preeminent tennis sage—joins the pod to explore the sport’s cultural resurgence, driven in large part by breakout stars like Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannick Sinner. Jon makes a strong case for unifying the men’s and women’s tours, weighs into tennis’s global business dilemma, touches on growing interest from Saudi investors—and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul Rabil’s Lacrosse Gospel

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Paul Rabil, co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League, joins John for a deep dive into the PLL’s new five-year media rights deal with ESPN, which includes an equity stake from the network. Rabil charts the PLL’s growth trajectory, teases expansion plans, and explains why the 2028 Olympics could be a turning point for lacrosse as a global sport.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kicking It With Alexi Lalas

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Alexi Lalas, Fox Sports analyst and former American soccer star, swings by the pod for a wide-ranging discussion about the accelerated growth of soccer in the U.S. Alexis lays out the MLS roadmap to global relevance, celebrates the rise of the NWSL, and explains why he’s bullish on the 2026 World Cup—and what this all means for the future of the sport in the U.S.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Sports Media Multiverse! w/ Alex Sherman

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

CNBC’s Alex Sherman returns to the pod to gab about the biggest forces reshaping sports media—from the streaming ambitions of Amazon, Google, and Netflix, to the accelerating collapse of linear TV, epitomized by the dual Comcast and WBD divorces. They also size up the precarious futures of F1, UFC, and MLB media rights—and what comes next for the ever-evolving sports landscape.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Takes the Wheel

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

The legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins John for a rollicking discussion about the future of motorsport. He delves into NASCAR’s expansion into Mexico City and the opportunities of international racing; shares his thoughts on F1’s hospitality and accessibility compared to NASCAR; discusses Amazon Prime’s gripping four-part documentary series on his father; and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who Gets What in the WBD Divorce?

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

LightShed’s Rich Greenfield joins John to break down the myriad implications of Zaslav’s WBD spin-off. With both Comcast and WBD laying down a roadmap for exiting the linear era, Rich weighs in on whether Disney and Paramount will follow suit. Then they chart the fate of TNT and WBD’s sports rights—and why WBD will likely avoid any major sports acquisitions for the foreseeable future.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NCAA’s Corporate Makeover

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Len Perna, founder of the executive search firm TurnkeyZRG, joins John for a wide-ranging conversation on the shifting landscape of college sports. They unpack the fallout from the NCAA’s landmark House settlement, trends in athletic director hires, the real estate gold rush on campuses, and why the next wave of roles might be titled ‘C.E.O. of Athletics.’

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Moneyball Meets the F.B.I.

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s Don Van Natta returns to the pod with the scoop on a new FBI investigation into OneTeam Partners—the licensing company backed by the NFL and MLB player associations and RedBird Capital. Van Natta breaks down the opaque finances, the major players under scrutiny, and why some insiders suspect a potential Trump linkage. Then they dig into the growing threat of an MLB work stoppage next season as the owners and league’s unions clash over salary cap reforms.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

U.S. Openings

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Chris Eubanks, TNT’s French Open analyst (and professional tennis player, himself) joins the pod to discuss the state of tennis in the U.S. He unpacks the surge of homegrown talent, the media’s role in turning players into personalities, and what it’ll take to bring casual fans into the fold. Eubanks also shares what it’s like to straddle the broadcast booth and the court.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL Owners Summit & More Belichick Blues

Wed, 28 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s Seth Wickersham joins John to break down all of his remarkable inside reporting from last week’s NFL owners meetings in Minnesota. They discuss what it all portends for the league, before turning to Seth’s forthcoming book, American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback. Finally, they dig into all the latest drama surrounding Bill Belichick.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CBS’s Goal Standard

Sun, 25 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

CBS Sports’ Pete Radovich joins John for an in-depth conversation about the UEFA Champions League. Pete reflects on the evolution of CBS’s coverage, the challenge of preserving its distinctive vibe amid personnel changes, and how they’ve optimized social media to deepen fan engagement. Then he previews the upcoming Champions League finals between PSG and Inter Milan—and their special watch-along event with David Beckham on Paramount+.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wall Street’s Sportsbook

Wed, 21 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Bill Cohan drops by the pod to break down Wall Street’s view of the sports media landscape. Bill explains why he’s bullish on Warner Bros. Discovery, what investors want from sports rights, what’s really behind the Skydance-Paramount holdup, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can IndyCar Go Global?

Sun, 18 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Eric Shanks, C.E.O. and executive producer of Fox Sports, joins John to break down the state of IndyCar, five races into the season. Eric reflects on the sport’s deep-rooted nostalgia, its future-facing momentum, his efforts to build a bridge between IndyCar and NASCAR. and how he’s “Fox-ified” the event for modern audiences. Then Eric outlines the company’s D.T.C. ambitions with Fox One—and how Fox’s strong portfolio is drawing interest from advertisers.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN’s Mic Drop & The Athletic’s NYT Afterlife

Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Axios media reporter Sara Fischer returns to the pod to preview ESPN’s forthcoming streaming service, ingeniously named… ESPN. She breaks down the logic behind the offering—but also the potential problems with the branding. Then Sara and John discuss Fox’s more tempered streaming strategy and how The Athletic has prospered under The New York Times banner.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing: Aspire with Emma Grede

Tue, 13 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world’s most successful people.

Emma Grede, one of America’s richest self-made women - wants you to make the most of your life. On ‘Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet.

Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology and of course how to win in business. The show offers personal stories, data-driven advice, real-world strategies, and the experience you need, to turn your dreams into reality.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up Front With Jeremy Carey

Sun, 11 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Jeremy Carey, Optimum Sports’ chief investment officer, joins John for a look ahead at New York’s upfronts week. Jeremy shares the overarching themes he’s watching out for, discusses the health of the TV business, and examines whether recession fears are affecting advertisers who’ve spent years falling over themselves to buy into sports.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeff Passan’s MLB Forecast

Wed, 07 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s MLB insider Jeff Passan joins John for a sweeping conversation about the state of the league a few months into the 2025 season. Jeff discusses MLB’s biggest red flags, the forthcoming labor and media rights negotiations, and the parity between high-payroll teams and small market teams. Then, as the specter of a new salary cap looms, Jeff warns why a 2027 lockout may be all but inevitable.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Connor Schell on the Sports Doc Gold Rush

Sun, 04 May 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Connor Schell, the visionary co-creator behind ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, joins John for a deep dive into the golden era of sports storytelling. From the evolution of prestige documentaries at HBO and ESPN to the streaming revolution led by the likes of Netflix and Apple, Connor unpacks how the landscape has shifted—and why these are the golden days for sports content. He also offers an inside look at his production company, Words + Pictures, and discusses what’s next.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NHL’s Thin Ice

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s senior NHL guru Greg Wyshynski joins John Ourand to take stock of professional hockey amid the league's labor negotiations, big media deals, and its innovation mindset. Then Greg explains why the tumultuous economy threatens the NHL in ways it doesn’t the NBA or NFL. With a new labor deal expected to be announced during the forthcoming Stanley Cup Finals, what does the future really look like for hockey?

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kornacki After MSNBC

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NBC’s data guru Steve Kornacki drops by the pod to talk about his new deal with the network, expanding his footprint across both NBC News and Sports—while also allowing flexibility to pursue other avenues, à la Stephen A. and Pat McAfee. Then he previews his coverage plans for the Kentucky Derby, riffs on the rise of sports betting, explains how he brings numbers to life, and more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL's Trust Issues

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NBC Sports’ Mike Florio revisits the pod to shed light on the shifting sands of the NFL Draft’s media rights—and the league’s continued international push with next year’s season opener in Brazil. Then, Mike drills into the NFL’s antitrust challenges and the league’s 18-game-fantasy, before assessing the freshly-filed $50 million civil lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe. Plus, John pores over Adam Silver’s candid worries about legacy media’s grip on the NBA.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Varsity Live From SF!

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

In a special live taping of The Varsity, Giants C.E.O. Larry Baer and Fox Sports exec Ben Valenta join John for a rollicking convo on the art of community-building in sports. They discuss the Giants’ hands-on approach, Fox Sports’ data-fueled fan strategy, the ripple effects of chord-cutting, and more. Then, the trio dig into the delicate balance between spending and success in baseball—before fielding questions from the audience.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone Watches Women’s Sports

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:52:00 -0000

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod to discuss the meteoric rise of women’s sports. From the emergence of the new LOVB volleyball league and the Professional Women’s Hockey League, to Willow Bay and Bob Iger’s bold investment in Angel City FC, Sara breaks down why women’s sports rights are being viewed as a huge asset in today’s sports media climate. Plus, John digs into the looming battle over UFC rights as its negotiating window with ESPN ended at midnight.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sports TV in the McAfee Era

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Jerry Silbowitz, UTA's co-head of sports media, joins John to discuss how next-gen talent are following the McAfee playbook—leveraging platforms like YouTube and TikTok to skip the corporate development ladder and connect directly with younger audiences—and how broadcasters like ESPN are reinventing themselves to get a piece of the action.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ESPN Migration

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Beloved sportscaster Peter Schrager drops by the pod to chat about his decision to jump from NFL Network to ESPN and the evolving business of professional sports analysis. Then Peter and John weigh into what’s next for the NFL and ESPN in the streaming era and the impact that Netflix and Amazon will have on the media rights market in 2029.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Bettman: O Canada!

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman swings by The Varsity to gab about the league’s recent successes, including the Four Nations tournament and his $11 billion media rights deal with Roger’s Communications. Then Bettman wades into NHL’s international plans… and addresses how Trump’s trade war on Canada could impact the league’s economics. Plus: the future of hockey on ESPN, WBD, local TV, and more!

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marchand, Round 2!

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

In a special reunion episode, the legendary Andrew Marchand returns for a rollicking conversation about the NFL’s streaming strategy, from Amazon’s Thursday Night Football to Netflix’s Christmas Day triple header. Then, they debate whether ESPN will reacquire Sunday Night Baseball rights and the effectiveness of MLB's current media tactics. Finally, they touch on JJ Watt's move to CBS and the future of NFL broadcasting.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Danielson’s Final Analysis

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

CBS’s top college football analyst, Gary Danielson, joins John for a candid chat about his decision to retire after an incredible 36-season run in the booth. Gary revisits the highs, the hurdles, and the unforgettable calls—like the “Kick Six” and “Holy Toledo” games—that cemented his legacy. He also discusses why adaptability is so vital to college sports and breaks down the ripple effects of its rapidly shifting landscape.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Sports Streaming Battle Royale

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Julia Alexander joins John for a wide-ranging conversation on the high-stakes battle for sports streaming supremacy. She unpacks Peacock’s savvy regional sports play, ESPN’s multi-pronged strategy, and YouTube’s untapped advertising goldmine. Plus, she analyzes Netflix’s more experimental approach and why Apple TV+ is struggling to keep up.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Netflix Outpace YouTube?

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

MoffettNathanson’s Michael Nathanson and Robert Fishman join John for a deep dive into the world of streaming. They debate the brewing Netflix vs. YouTube streaming war, examine the fluctuating landscape of sports media rights, and explore what’s next for ESPN’s Flagship. Plus, they probe the broader implications of sports betting for the sports media industry.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do the Wright Thing

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright joins John for a candid chat about the evolution of his legendary career. He explains the moment he knew it was time to retire and discusses how the job changed over his 22 years helming Villanova, including two national championships. He also weighs into all the massive upheaval in college sports, the notorious transfer portal, and the murky future of the NCAA Tournament. Then, Jay dives into his transition into star CBS analyst.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TNT's Life After NBA

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Luis Silberwasser, the C.E.O. and chairman of TNT Sports, joins John for a rollicking discussion about the state of his company in the aftermath of losing its rights to the NBA. Luis goes deep on how those negotiations unfolded, and breaks down TNT’s shifted focus on digital expansion and engaging a younger audience. He also dishes on their unique relationship with March Madness, and how he feels about a potential expansion to the tourney.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LIV and Let Die

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch joins John for an in-depth breakdown of the chaos percolating professional golf. Eamon explains why the sport is facing a crisis of confidence and structure—and why the PGA Tour can’t just rely on its past glory anymore. He also dishes on the Tour's search for a C.E.O., calls out its history of arrogance and complacency, and takes a deep dive into the ever-controversial LIV Golf. Plus, could a PGA-LIV reunification ever happen?

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women’s Soccer’s Billion-Dollar Glow-Up

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman joins John for a deep dive into the league’s burgeoning popularity, following a record-breaking season in attendance and TV viewership. She highlights the power of storytelling in building cultural relevance before pulling back the curtain on the league’s massive media rights deals with ESPN, CBS, and Amazon Prime—a game-changing 40-fold increase in game sales. Jessica also weighs in on the impact of high-profile international transfers, like Naomi Girma’s $1.1 million move to Chelsea.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A New D.C. Sports Monopoly?

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Axios’s Sara Fischer rejoins John to dig into the rapid decline of R.S.N.s, and in particular, the unraveling of MASN—once the home of the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles. With the Nationals walking away from the network entirely, could this move pave the way for Ted Leonsis to buy the team and create a D.C. sports monopoly? Plus, the duo forecast the fallout of the MLB-ESPN uncoupling and dig into Fox’s forthcoming D.T.C. product expected to launch by the end of the year.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming to America: World Cup Edition

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Roger Bennett, founder of the Men in Blazers Media Network, joins John for an in-depth look at the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup in North America. He explores the challenges of building momentum and awareness leading up to the tournament, its potential to leave a lasting imprint on American soccer culture, and the significance of tentpole events in sports media.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The MLB-ESPN Breakup Song

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

The Athletic’s Evan Drellich joins John to weigh into the imminent ESPN-MLB divorce, and offer a behind-the-scenes snapshot of how owners are coming to grips with the split. Evan also explains why he doesn’t think this is truly the end of the ESPN-MLB relationship, previews baseball’s upcoming labor negotiations, discusses the financial fallout from the R.S.N. collapse, and hints at potential rule changes for this upcoming season.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big East Hoop Dreams

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman joins John for a deep dive into the present and future of college sports. She lays out the Big East’s strategy for thriving in a football-dominated landscape, probes the possibility of a Big East-ACC merger, and breaks down the conference’s approach to revenue sharing. Val also reflects on her groundbreaking role as the WNBA’s first commissioner and explains why the league’s meteoric growth is anything but surprising.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC Rights Fights, F1 Deal Heat & ESPN’s Media Moneyball

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

CNBC’s Alex Sherman joins John for a deep dive into how leagues can maximize profits from social media engagement in the streaming era. They also wade into the brewing media rights battles between traditional networks and streaming giants, with UFC and F1’s rights up for grabs, before Alex shares his personal insights on the overall state of sports media and the business behind the games.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grant Hill From the Owner's Box

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill joins John for a candid conversation about his pivot from the court to the sidelines, where’s he's become a standout broadcaster. Hill discusses his ownership stakes in various sports franchises, the health of the NBA, and the impact of their blockbuster media rights deal. He also reflects on leading Team USA to back-to-back gold medals and weighs in on ESPN’s evolving media strategy.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shams’ Art of the Scoop

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s Shams Charania, the consummate NBA insider and veritable scoop machine, joins John to probe some of the biggest business stories ahead of NBA All-Star Weekend: the impacts of sports betting, Maverick Carter’s attempt to jumpstart an NBA-adjacent international rival, and the league’s evolving trade dynamics. Plus, Shams explains the bizarre Luka-A.D. trade—and how he broke the story.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBC Sports in The Big Easy

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

NBC Sports president Rick Cordella joins John from Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans for an in-depth conversation on the business of the NFL and the evolving landscape of sports media, breaking down the NFL’s unparalleled ability to draw massive viewership and the complexities of media rights negotiations. Then he offers a preview at what’s in store for NBC’s NBA coverage and a look at next year’s Winter Olympics.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Goodell We Trust?

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. joins John for a wide-ranging conversation on the NFL’s booming business, where soaring ratings and sponsorship deals underscore the league’s financial dominance—highlighted by the Dallas Cowboys’ staggering $10 billion valuation. They also tackle some of the league’s prime concerns, including the perceived officiating problems, before discussing the power dynamics of owners like Jerry Jones and speculating on Roger Goodell’s future as commissioner.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hoop Talk With Stan Van!

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

TNT analyst and former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy joins John for a broad-spectrum chat about the overall health of the league. The duo address potential scheduling and rule changes, the realities of player empowerment, the influx of 3-point shooting, and much more. Plus, Stan shares his insights on the turbulence in college basketball, and offers his take on how to mitigate the instability surrounding college basketball sparked by N.I.L. and the transfer portal.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL’s Streaming Playbook

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Fox Sports and NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager joins John for an in-depth look at the business trends shaping the NFL as the Super Bowl approaches. They explore the league’s media opportunities, the growing influence of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon, and what it all means for traditional broadcasters. Then they debunk the idea of “Chiefs fatigue,” before Peter explains why relying on TV ratings to measure the NFL’s popularity is an archaic concept.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Netflix’s UFC Gamble & ESPN’s Streaming Calculus

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Michael Nathanson rejoins John to dissect the most pressing sports media topics of 2025: Netflix’s potential bid for UFC rights, the challenge of building a sustainable PPV business model, the viability of ESPN’s streaming strategy (and Fox Sports’ need to develop one), and so much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

College Football's Billion-Dollar Gold Mine

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

NBC Sports’ college football insider Nicole Auerbach reunites with John for an all-encompassing deep dive on the new-and-improved 12-team CFP. Nicole discusses the biggest successes like increased fan engagement throughout the regular season; shortcomings like the problematic seeding issue; potential tweaks like further expanding the field to 14 teams; and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN's Staying Power & NFL's Global Gridiron

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

ESPN studio host Laura Rutledge joins John for an exuberant wide-ranging conversation about the future of the sports media business. Having recently signed an extension with ESPN, Laura discusses what drove her decision to stay put, before diving into the challenges of cord-cutting, the potential impact of streaming services like Netflix and YouTube TV, the CFP’s expansion, the NFL going abroad, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iger’s Fubo Curveball & The TikTok Endgame

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Axios’s Sara Fischer joins John for a wide-ranging conversation covering the latest trends transforming the sports media landscape: the striking Disney-Fubo merger, DirecTV’s new $70/month sports package, the potential ripple effects of a TikTok ban on sports media, and the murky future of R.S.N.s in major markets like Chicago and New York.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Golf Revolution Will Be Televised!

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

C.E.O. of TMRW Sports Mike McCarley sits down with John to dish about the launch of TGL, the semi-virtual, made-for-TV indoor golf series co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory Mcllroy. After nearly a million viewers tuned in for its ESPN debut, McCarley opens up about the league’s innovative format, his strategic partnership with Disney, how TGL is shaking up the traditional golf world, and whether the out-of-the-box concept could be replicated for other sports.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hubo? Fulu? Inside a Shock Streaming Mashup

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Puck’s legal expert Eriq Gardner joins John to break down the year’s first huge M&A earthquake: Disney cutting a deal to merge its Hulu + Live TV with Fubo. What does the combination mean for ESPN’s own planned streaming service, Flagship? And what’s next for Venu Sports? Then Eriq and John turn to how a combined Hulu + Fubo product might actually work…

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Billion-Dollar Business of the College Football Playoff

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Rich Clark, executive director of CFP, joins John for a candid conversation about this year’s College Football Playoff and the state of college sports in the NIL era. They discuss the early successes of the inaugural 12-team format, CFP going head-to-head with the NFL, potential changes we could see down the line, the New Orleans act of terrorism that caused the Sugar Bowl to be delayed, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing: Office Ladies 6.0

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 08:01:00 -0000

The Office co-stars and best friends, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, are doing the ultimate Office-lovers podcast for you. Each week Jenna and Angela will dive deeper into The Office giving you access to even more behind the scene details, interviews and lots of stories that only two best friends who were there, can tell you.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PGA of Arabia

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Golf personalities Joe House and Nathan Hubbard join John for a candid convo about the state of professional golf. While House is cautiously optimistic about the sport’s future and emphasizes the compelling nature of upcoming majors, Hubbard is more critical and highlights golf’s need for better product-market fit. They also discuss the impact of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour’s investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and the upcoming launch of TGL.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SVP!

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

ESPN A-List sportscaster and fellow Maryland Terrapin Scott Van Pelt joins John for a rollicking conversation about the state of the sports media industry. He shares his thoughts on colleagues Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee, whether he wants a role in the network’s NBA programming, his love for postgame coverage, how he’s reinvented late night SportsCenter, what makes someone a needle-mover, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2024 Wrapped: Sports Media Edition

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Jon Kelly and Dylan Byers join John to chew over the biggest sports media stories of 2024: the forfeiture of WBD’s NBA rights, Comcast’s SpinCo, Stephen A. Smith’s history in the making, Netflix’s deal with the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tao of Talent Management

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Constance Schwartz-Morini, the C.E.O. and co-founder of SMAC Entertainment, sits down with John to share her journey as a trailblazer in talent management, providing an inside look at the ins and outs of running a talent firm and managing a roster of high-profile clients including Deion Sanders, Michael Strahan, and Erin Andrews. She also sheds light on her bold decision to leave a promising career at the NFL—where she started as an assistant—to carve out her own path as an entrepreneur.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Belichick Whisperer

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

ESPN senior writer and “Belichick whisperer” Seth Wickersham joins John to give an inside look at Belichick’s surprising decision to jump to the college ranks and become UNC’s next head coach. Seth dissects the appeal of this position, whether Belichick will be able to emulate his NFL success, and his desire to build a legacy beyond football. Then he dives into the evolution of the “Patriot Way” and offers his take on Brady’s broadcasting learning curve.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ESPN Fantasy Draft

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

NBC sports commentator and fantasy football guru Matthew Berry joins John to discuss the new economics of on-air talent, from Stephen A. to Mike Clay; who’s actually moving the needle for the sports media business; and the grinfucker of the week.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen A. Breaks the Bank & World Cup Media Limbo

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Ben Strauss reunites with John to delve into a litany of hot topics stimulating the world of sports media: Stephen A. Smith’s soon-to-be historic contract, B1G’s college football noon kickoffs, ESPN’s MNF Simpsons alt-cast, the surprising non-bidders for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No NFL, No Glory

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

In a special live recording of The Varsity at the University of Massachusetts, former CBS Sports chairman and president Sean McManus sits down with John for a candid conversation about the ins and outs of sports media and his decades-long run as a media exec. The duo dive into how Sean got introduced to the biz, his crusade to bring the NFL back to CBS, why networks without the NFL can’t thrive, the ascension of women’s sports, and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marchand!

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

After popular demand, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand joins the pod to discuss McAfee, Manning, Inside the NBA, the Pitaro star strategy, the best Marchand jokes, and so much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Live Sports Streaming Playbook

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Michael Nathanson, the co-founder and top analyst at MoffettNathanson, joins John for a rollicking exploration of the challenges facing legacy media now that streaming is king. Then they dive into how sports leagues and college conferences can survive, and thrive, in the post-TV era.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Merger Mania & The Celtics L.B.O.

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Bill Cohan joins John to assess the fate of Comcast’s Spinco, the potential involvement of private equity, and the snowball effect it could have on the industry writ large. Then Bill previews some potential M&A activity in the media space before recounting the surprising backstory to Wyc Grousbeck’s leveraged buyout of the Boston Celtics.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ESPN-TNT Crossover

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Former Turner Network prez David Levy joins John for a rollicking discussion of Comcast’s bombshell decision to spin off its cable channels, Amazon’s opportunities to dominate the R.S.N. market, the brilliance of Netflix’s Tyson-Paul fight, the ripple effects of the TNT-ESPN deal, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Netflix’s Fight Night & Zaz’s NBA Play

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 15:59:51 -0000

John is joined by Axios media star Sara Fischer for a look behind the headlines captivating the sports world: The glitch-ridden Tyson-Paul bout, TNT’s partnership with ESPN, WBD’s settlement with the NBA, how Trump 2.0 will impact local sports, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Getting Up With Greeny

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

John is joined by one of ESPN’s brightest stars, Mike “Greeny” Greenberg. In a wide-ranging conversation about the evolving media landscape, the duo dive into Greeny’s remarkable 28-year (and counting) career at the network, the market for on-air talent and how it’s changed over the years, how his morning show Get Up became a cornerstone of ESPN’s morning programming, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Growing Pains

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

John is joined by NBC Sports’ Mike Florio, creator of ProFootballTalk, to contemplate the biggest dramas facing the NFL today: the debate surrounding whether (and how) to add an additional game to the schedule, the push to expand its international footprint, the league’s surprising difficulty selling NFL media, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump Merger Mania

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

LightShed super-analyst Rich Greenfield joins John to discuss what Trump’s reelection means for the sports media business and the M&A landscape. Then they debate how the business will look in 10 years, whether platforms like YouTube and Spotify could get into sports, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Woke Fox Sports & Locker Room Politics

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Fan favorite Ben Strauss return to discuss why he believes that Fox Sports—not ESPN—reigns supreme as the "woke” sports network. Then the duo dive into Fox Sports’ unique live-sports media strategy and wade into the rising drama surrounding beat reporters’ locker room access.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NASCAR's Next Gear

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

John is joined by NASCAR President Steve Phelps for an in-depth discussion about how America's favorite homegrown motorsport plans to rev up its reach—without alienating the die-hard fans who fuel its legacy.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amazon’s Crap Shoot & MLB’s Fall Classic Magic

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John rings up Dylan Byers for a temperature check on the stability-starved media industry. They discuss why major streamers like Amazon are reticent to dabble in live news, the current trend of on-air talent salaries, why the Yankees-Dodgers World Series is good for MLB’s “health,” and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Smoltz's Double Play

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John Ourand rings up baseball Hall of Famer turned analyst John Smoltz for a broad-spectrum conversation about broadcasting and Smoltz’s ascension to becoming Fox Sports’ top World Series analyst. Then the duo preview the World Series and get into the riveting narratives stemming from the Yankees-Dodgers/Judge-Ohtani matchup.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

College Sports’ Big Money Era

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John sits down with NBC Sports’ lead college football insider, Nicole Auerbach, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of the college sports business. They explore the impact of N.I.L., the dynamics of the transfer portal, the shifting tides of conference realignment, the potential role of private equity, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manfred’s MLB Magic

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

As the World Series looms, MLB commish Rob Manfred joins John to discuss the league’s landmark 2024 season, its outreach to younger fans, new (and future) rule changes, and the enhanced in-game experience—all contributing to the league’s highest attendance in seven years. Then they weigh into the media rights landscape and Manfred’s grand plans.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack Nicklaus’ N.I.L Nightmare

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Legal expert Eriq Gardner joins John to discuss the bizarre saga of Jack Nicklaus’ lawsuit against Nicklaus Companies, in which the retired golfer is fighting to reclaim the rights to his own name, image, and likeness. Eriq offers some very frank advice to athletes looking to capitalize on their N.I.L. Then the duo dig into the looming DirecTV-Dish merger, and whether Venu Sports will ever see the light.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside Woj’s ESPN Exit

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John sits down with Matt Kramer, co-head of CAA Sports’ media group and Adrian Wojnarowski’s agent, for an inside look at how Woj’s surprise retirement unfolded. Kramer also discusses the changing landscape for on-air talent, and what media networks are actually prioritizing these days when hiring.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The MLB-ESPN Showdown & Shams’ Side Step

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John is joined by WaPo sports media reporter Ben Strauss for a wide-ranging conversation on ESPN’s looming media rights negotiation with MLB, how ESPN scooped up Shams after the departure of Woj, and the WNBA’s Caitlin-centric coverage.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OK, Boomer

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John is joined by the broadcasting GOAT and 45-year ESPN veteran Chris “Boomer” Berman for a candid conversation about his rise through ESPN’s ranks, how the sports network is navigating a shapeshifting media landscape, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apple’s MLS Gambit & Bezos’ Sports Fantasy

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John is joined by Business Insider’s Peter Kafka for a wide-ranging discussion about the major streamers: Apple TV’s deal with the MLS, Amazon’s NBA and NFL packages, the likelihood FOX Sports gets acquired, and much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Bettman on the NHL’s Media Moves

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

On today’s episode, John Ourand is joined by the dean of professional sports, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, for a deep-dive discussion about the NHL’s media strategy as opening night approaches on Friday. Bettman candidly speaks about the league’s global imprint, ESPN’s excellent job promoting the game, their 7-year deals with WBD, and much more. With new media negotiations on the horizon, Bettman expresses his optimism about where the league is headed.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tao of Woj & More Zaz Woes

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Dylan Byers joins John to discuss the aftermath of Woj’s abrupt exit from ESPN and what that means for the future of ESPN’s programming strategy. Then the duo examine the magnitude of the problems facing W.B.D. and forecast what’s next for sports media at large.

To celebrate Puck’s third anniversary, we’re offering readers a limited-time, 20 percent discount on an annual subscription. Claim yours here: https://www.puck.news/johnourand.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Snoop, Léon & An Olympics Postmortem

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John sits down with NBC’s top two Olympics TV producers, Molly Solomon and Amy Rosenfeld, for a candid talk about what went into bringing the Paris Olympics to the U.S. and whether L.A. 2028 can beat the hype. Then the duo discuss why they decided to give so much airtime to Snoop, how international stars like Léon Marchand factored into the ratings, and their own roles as women producers in a male-dominated field.

By the way, to celebrate Puck’s third anniversary, we’re offering readers a limited-time, 20 percent discount off an annual subscription. Claim yours here: https://www.puck.news/johnourand.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charter Martyrs, Zaz’s News Cycle & RSNapalooza

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Axios media reporter Sara Fischer joins John to discuss all the feels on the sports media beat—Disney vs. DirecTV, Zaz’s Charter deal, ESPN Flagship hypotheticals, and much, much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Disney Deal, Zaz’s MFN & Lax God Paul Rabil

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

John sits down with Paul Rabil, the lacrosse G.O.A.T., and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League for a candid chat about his journey as a player and the genesis of the PLL. Paul extemporizes candidly about his pro career, the white space in the market, the fundraising hurdles and the early challenges of standing up the league. Then the duo discuss the opportunity ahead for niche and niche-ish sports in the current media ecosystem.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN Economics & Brady’s Big Fumble

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 07:42:37 -0000

With the NFL season kicking off, The Washington Post's Ben Strauss joins John to discuss Jimmy Pitaro’s plan to turn ESPN into a veritable streaming juggernaut, the incredible ascendance of Pat McAfee, and the confounding economics of live sports in the post TV era. Then they trade notes on Tom Brady’s underwhelming debut as a Fox Sports talking head.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The WNBA’s Cathy Engelbert on Caitlin & the $200M Deal

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

WNBA Cathy Engelbert is called up to The Varsity to discuss the league’s digital transformation, her league’s new media deal, this new generation of star power and her relationship with Adam Silver.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The DirecTV Gambit & Bundle Extinction Events

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Puck co-founder Jon Kelly joins The Varsity for a spirited conversation about the Disney-DirecTV grudge match, Disney's channel-shedding journey, and Amazon's great expectations for its third season of Thursday Night Football.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Pitaro on the NBA Deal, Stephen A., Flagship, Venu, McAfee & ESPN’s Future

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro sits down with John in Bristol for an incredibly candid and detailed conversation about the state of his business and the industry. The duo delve into ESPN’s various broadcast negotiations with the top leagues, its streaming strategy, an evolving view on talent, and so much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peyton Manning on NIL, Brady, ManningCast, Belichick & More

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the maiden voyage of The Varsity. On this debut episode, John chats with Peyton Manning about the origins of his post-football career, the rise of the ManningCast, the genesis of Omaha Productions, and so much more—Brady, Bill, Tennessee, NIL, Eli, etcetera. It’s really great!

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing The Varsity with John Ourand

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:58:00 -0000

Welcome to “The Varsity,” your new favorite podcast about what’s really happening in the business of sports and the players who run it all. Join Puck sports media correspondent John Ourand and a rotating cast of industry experts for inside-the-room conversations about the money behind the major leagues, the biggest network executive dramas, media rights battles, and so much more.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices