John Ourand

John Ourand, author of the Varsity Newsletter and host of the Varsity Podcast, joins Peter Hamby to unpick ESPN’s big announcements. They dive into ESPN's game-changing NFL broadcast deal and the upcoming direct-to-consumer service aimed at simplifying sports viewing. The conversation highlights the complexities of integrating various sports content and touches on the delicate balance between partnerships and journalistic integrity. With a mix of humor and insight, they also chat about the dynamics of media coverage in the sports world.

John Ourand, a sports correspondent with Puck News, delves into the NBA's incredible new $76 billion media rights deal despite declining viewership. He tackles the paradox of rising revenue in a fragmented media landscape, contrasting it with the NFL's stable influence. Ourand discusses the complexities of sports contracts in the age of cord-cutting and highlights the growing prominence of the WNBA and other women's sports, emphasizing the need for new broadcasting agreements to harness their surging popularity.

Sports business journalist and Puck contributor John Ourand joins host Matt Belloni to discuss the new all-in-one sports streaming platform, its impact on linear cable, stakeholder implications, and revenue potential. They also make Super Bowl predictions and discuss betting options.

John Ourand, host of The Varsity and a sports media expert, joins Peter Hamby to discuss the shifting landscape of sports broadcasting. They uncover Paramount's $7.7 billion investment in UFC rights and ESPN's innovative super app aimed at attracting younger audiences. Ourand emphasizes how traditional media is fighting back against tech giants while retaining larger audiences. The conversation also highlights the cultural significance of the UFC's rise and the challenge of integrating modern social interactions into sports viewing.

John Ourand, a seasoned sports business reporter at Puck, dives into the critical interplay between sports and television. He examines how shrinking TV audiences impact sports broadcasting and local networks. The conversation touches on college sports changes with NIL deals reshaping player dynamics. Ourand also explores the challenges facing regional sports networks and the shift from traditional TV to streaming platforms. He discusses sports gambling's growing influence, highlighting how these trends affect the future of sports viewership.

John Ourand, a seasoned journalist covering the sports business, joins to discuss the NFL's impressive Super Bowl ratings, even with a lackluster game. He analyzes ESPN's potential acquisition of NFL's media assets and why they're pursuing more traditional assets despite declining values. The conversation also touches on the allure of celebrity culture, evident in Tom Brady's extravagant watch, and highlights evolving viewing habits and strategies in the competitive landscape of sports media.

Insights on sports media landscape changes, NBA media rights predictions, decline of legacy media outlets, ideas to enhance NBA All-Star weekend, innovative antennas for fan experience at venues, challenges in motivating star athletes, evolving audience engagement strategies, tech giants' role in sports media rights, and impact of 5G in sports

John Ourand, an expert on sports broadcasting rights and author of Puck's Varsity newsletter, joins guest host Julia Alexander to dive into the implications of Warner Bros. Discovery's corporate split. They discuss the drop in NBA Finals ratings and its potential link to viewer fatigue. The conversation also highlights the NBA's struggle to nurture new stars following the retirements of legends like LeBron James. With rights negotiations changing, they explore how these shifts affect both traditional and emerging broadcasting platforms.

John Ourand, a leader in broadcasting, teams up with media commentator Matt Belloni to dissect pressing industry issues. They explore the staggering $9.1 billion write-down at Warner Bros. Discovery and what it means for the future of traditional TV. The duo dives into Paramount's struggle with NFL broadcasting rights and the implications of shifting sports content to streaming. They also discuss the financial maneuvers of cable giants as they adapt to the evolving landscape and the rising costs of sports programming.

John Ourand, a seasoned media expert, joins to explore Apple's ambitious $150 million bid for F1’s U.S. media rights. They delve into how this bid signals Apple's growing stake in live sports and contrast it with ESPN’s decision to step back amid financial constraints. The conversation further analyzes the evolving sports broadcasting landscape, particularly the changing viewer habits driven by streaming services. Insights into the future of sports viewership and the challenges faced by traditional broadcasters make for a gripping discussion.