The Varsity Netflix’s Anti-ESPN Thesis
Dec 21, 2025
Gabe Spitzer, Netflix's Vice President of Sports, talks about the streaming giant’s ambitious sports strategy. He reveals how Netflix prioritizes major events, like the Women’s World Cup and Christmas Day NFL games, to drive global engagement. Gabe explains the technical challenges faced during live streams and the importance of star-driven matches in boxing. He also teases upcoming sports documentaries and outlines plans for a video podcast initiative, showcasing how Netflix aims to become a top player in the sports landscape.
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Event-First Sports Strategy
- Netflix treats live sports as 'event-first' content that must create global watercooler moments.
- Gabe Spitzer says Netflix seeks tentpole events rather than high-volume seasonal packages.
From Netflix Cup To Major Fights
- Netflix launched small experiments like the Netflix Cup and used Chris Rock to test live functionality.
- Those early events led to bigger shows like Jake Paul–Mike Tyson and later NFL and MLB partnerships.
WWE Broke Internal Resistance
- WWE convinced Netflix internally because its library and global fanbase fit Netflix's long-term growth goals.
- The 10-plus year deal demonstrated how a global streamer can help scale a property's international reach.