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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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