Pablo Torre Finds Out The Sporting Class: Welcome to the Spinoff Era
Jun 13, 2025
David Samson, former President of the Miami Marlins, and John Skipper, former President of ESPN, dive into the turbulent waters of the sports business. They tackle the fallout from Warner Bros. Discovery's restructuring, pondering the future of Disney without ESPN. With sharp wit, they critique the influence of consultants in corporate decisions and scrutinize the complexities of credit scores. Their lively banter also highlights the evolving landscape of media mergers and the financial health of sports broadcasting in this chaotic era.
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WBD's Strategic Split Insight
- Warner Brothers Discovery is splitting into two companies to separate declining assets from growth prospects.
- The move reflects challenges from increased debt and rapid cord-cutting eroding earnings.
Consulting as Management Cover Insight
- Consulting firms often serve to provide cover for management to make tough decisions like layoffs.
- John Skipper called it a "grift" where consultants tell companies what they want to hear.
Avoiding Consultant Fees Anecdote
- David Samson shared a story about negotiating media rights deals without consultants to avoid paying fees.
- Consultants often ask for success percentages, which he rejected, preferring direct negotiation.