Puck Sports Correspondent John Ourand and a rotating cast of industry insiders take you deep inside the executive suites and owner boxes that run the entire sports business. You’ll hear interviews with everyone from players to network execs and everyone in between. The Varsity is an extension of John's private email for Puck by the same name. New episodes publish twice-weekly, every Wednesday and Sunday.
…
continue reading
Gilbert Arenas is one of the most dynamic characters the NBA has ever seen. Agent Zero holds nothing back, puts all cards on the table and of course, has zero chill. Along with co-host Josiah Johnson, the No Chill Podcast is a healthy dose of all things Gilbert, his stories, his ideas and his unique perspective, while joined by athletes, actors and comedians.
…
continue reading
Curating all the streaming media industry news of the week that matters most, in 30 minutes. Unvarnished, unscripted and providing you with the data and analysis you need, without any hype. The pulse of the streaming media industry.
…
continue reading
“Some think it, we say it.” That’s the straight-talk ethos of “Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. & Hatch,” the new podcast from former NFL wide receivers and longtime friends Terrell Owens and Matthew Hatchette. Each episode, the outspoken pair talk about — and hilariously bust balls about — everything from football and other sports, to entertainment and fashion, often joined by celebrity guests. With an undeniable chemistry and a commitment to real talk and actual differences of opinion, they ...
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 121: Comcast and DirecTV Launch $70 Sports Packages, Peacock and Disney Earnings, Parler Buys Select Edgio Assets
40:36
40:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:36This week, we detail the launch of competing $70 sports streaming packages from Comcast’s Xfinity and DirecTV and FOX's plans to launch a DTC streaming service. We also cover the latest earnings from Comcast, Disney and Alphabet, with Disney+ losing 700,000 subscribers, Peacock's DTC business losing $436M, and YouTube seeing advertising revenue of …
…
continue reading
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 L…
…
continue reading
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 stor…
…
continue reading
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 prob…
…
continue reading
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 offer…
…
continue reading
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 “Chi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Netflix’s UFC Gamble & ESPN’s Streaming Calculus
58:16
58:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:16Michael 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 v…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
College Football's Billion-Dollar Gold Mine
42:04
42:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:04NBC 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 te…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 120: Super Bowl and NFL Streaming News from Amazon and FOX; Limelight's Network Goes Dark
28:34
28:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:34This week, we discuss all the latest NFL streaming news, including Amazon's exclusive NFL Wild Card playoff game, which reached an all-time high of 24.6M viewers, details from FOX on their 1080p upscaled 4k HDR stream and their plans to make the stream available on Tubi. We also detail the network shutdown of Limelight Networks as part of Edgio's b…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
ESPN's Staying Power & NFL's Global Gridiron
48:01
48:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:01ESPN 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 YouTub…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Iger’s Fubo Curveball & The TikTok Endgame
34:18
34:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:18Axios’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 lear…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 119: Disney and Fubo Deal; Netflix's WWE Debut; Peacock Viewership Data; CES TV News
50:22
50:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:22This week, I discuss the Disney and Fubo deal, what it means for subscribers and the impact of Venu Sports no longer launching in the market. I detail the deal terms and what's being misreported, separating facts from guesses. I also discuss viewership numbers from Netflix's debut of WWE’s Monday Night Raw, final global viewership numbers for Netfl…
…
continue reading
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 sh…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Hubo? Fulu? Inside a Shock Streaming Mashup
33:27
33:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:27Puck’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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Billion-Dollar Business of the College Football Playoff
42:40
42:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:40Rich 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 t…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading
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 L…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 118: Special Podcast; Netflix's NFL Christmas Gameday Recap
51:32
51:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:32For this special podcast episode, we review Netflix's streaming of the NFL games on Christmas, detailing some tech details related to the stream quality, latency, player functionality, reported user feedback, and viewership statistics for the U.S. market. We compare the 27 million peak viewers in the U.S. stat to previous NFL games across broadcast…
…
continue reading
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 Spo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 117: Vendor Layoffs; YouTube TV Price Increase; WBD Separates Linear from Streaming
42:25
42:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:25This week, we detail the news of more layoffs by streaming vendors and what it means for the industry going into the new year as everyone looks to be more operationally efficient in their spending. We also cover the latest price increase by YouTube TV, pushing the service to $82.99 a month, FIFA's broadcast deal with DAZN, and Amazon's latest TNF v…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
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 lig…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 116: Akamai Acquires Contracts From Edgio's Bankruptcy Auction: Roundup Of OTT and Broadcast News
31:03
31:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:03This week, we detail Akamai's successful $125 million bid for customer contracts from Edgio's security and content delivery businesses as part of Edgio's bankruptcy auction. We discuss Akamai's projected $89-$111 million in revenue over the next five quarters from the contracts and what the deal means for the broader CDN market. We also debunk some…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading
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-po…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Stephen A. Breaks the Bank & World Cup Media Limbo
40:39
40:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:39Ben 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 practic…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 115: The Numbers and Details Behind Bending Spoons Plans to Acquire Brightcove
36:34
36:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:34In regulatory filings, more details have emerged in Bending Spoons plans to acquire Brightcove, including some terms for employees who stay on with the new company, the number of aggregate shares of company common stock tied to RSU awards, the exact number of Brightcove employees, a disclosure of a "material weakness in internal control over financ…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 114: Unraveling The Misinformation from Netflix's Boxing Event; All the Latest Broadcast, TV and Content News
1:02:12
1:02:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:12This week, we detail all the misinformation after Netflix's live boxing event, the danger of not checking sources, and who you trust for news. We discuss the current state of Netflix's business and how the company is playing the long game - chess over checkers. We also highlight the latest content news from JioCinema, MLB, Sling TV, Disney, Amazon,…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading
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 pra…
…
continue reading
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.c…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading
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 li…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 113: Earnings Recap from Paramount, Tubi, Vizio, Vimeo, Brightcove, Akamai, Fastly, Cloudflare
1:01:28
1:01:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:28This week, we detail all the important numbers from Q3 earnings tied to profitability, capex spending, MAUs and subscriber additions tied to streaming services from Paramount, Tubi, AMC Networks and Vizio, along with infrastructure players Vimeo, Brightcove, Akamai, Fastly and Cloudflare. We also discuss the latest content news from UFC, The Tennis…
…
continue reading
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: …
…
continue reading
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:…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 112: Q3 Earnings Recap: Roku, Fubo, Comcast, Amazon, Alphabet, Sky, Harmonic, Verizon, Charter, Microsoft and Meta
37:45
37:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:45This week, I recap all the streaming subscriber and pay TV numbers from Q3 earnings and profit and loss financials from Roku, Fubo, Peacock, YouTube, Sky, Verizon and others. I also highlight cloud services revenue from Amazon, Microsoft and Google, with AWS hitting a record $100 billion in revenue for the past 12 months. I discuss why Instagram lo…
…
continue reading
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.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 111: Exploring Netflix's Q3 Success; The Latest Sports and RSN News, and The Impact of AI on Podcasts
1:05:10
1:05:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:10This week, we discuss the key takeaways from Netflix's earnings tied to its upcoming first-party ad tech platform, subscriber gains in the quarter, and its latest reported engagement metric of two hours a day per paid membership. We also cover the latest news from the messy world of RSNs, including the new report that Peacock will begin offering NB…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Amazon’s Crap Shoot & MLB’s Fall Classic Magic
40:51
40:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:51John 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 pr…
…
continue reading
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 li…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 110: DirecTV's FAST Service; Apple TV+ Coming To Amazon Prime Channels; JW Player and Connatix Merger
44:05
44:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:05This week, we discuss DirecTV’s plan to launch a FAST platform and how it might benefit its brand even as it joins a crowded market of FAST services. We also highlight why it’s smart for Apple to make Apple TV+ content available to as many viewers as possible via its deal with Prime Video, which will go live as a Prime Video channel later this mont…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading