The Varsity Yahoo’s Big Sports Play
Aug 20, 2025
Ryan Spoon, president of Yahoo Media Group, discusses the launch of the Yahoo Sports Network and the strategic shift toward ad-supported content across various platforms. He shares insights on Yahoo's partnerships and innovative collaborations aimed at enhancing user engagement. Spoon highlights the evolution of fantasy sports, with new game formats set to attract a wider audience. He also talks about YahooSports.tv's purpose in delivering diverse original content to keep fans engaged as the sports media landscape continues to change.
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Comprehensive, Partner-First Content Strategy
- Yahoo's strategy is to provide comprehensive, smart sports content across formats and partners.
- They combine in-house shows with partner content to build scale and variety for fans.
Fill Gaps By Partnering Vertically
- Yahoo deliberately aggregates partner publishers to fill vertical gaps like soccer and motorsport.
- The company customizes partnerships sport-by-sport to build robust offerings quickly.
Grow Engagement With New Game Formats
- Focus on getting fans to try new game formats rather than forcing them to switch platforms.
- Introduce features and formats that entice users to play an additional league or sport on Yahoo.