John Skipper, the former president of ESPN and current CEO of Meadowlark Media, teams up with David Samson, host of "Nothing Personal" and sports business expert. They dive into the murky waters of sports streaming piracy, discussing its financial implications for major leagues and the cultural absurdities surrounding it. With humor, they explore the evolving landscape of media consumption, the ethical dilemmas of free content access, and personal anecdotes that illustrate the stark realities of online piracy in the sports world.

John Skipper, former President of ESPN and now CEO of Meadowlark Media, shares his insights on the booming sports landscape. The conversation delves into the commercialization of sports, examining how branding and sponsorship shape contemporary culture. They discuss the intersection of sports and celebrity, the evolving role of women in sports, and the influence of technology on fan engagement. Additionally, Skipper highlights the impact of wealthy owners and the complex dynamics between athletes and their teams amidst this sports surge.

In this engaging discussion, David Samson, the former president of the Miami Marlins, and John Skipper, former ESPN president, dive into the future of live sports TV. They tackle the rise of streaming bundles and whether a singular platform could reign supreme. Consumers face challenges with fragmented subscriptions, and amusing anecdotes add levity to the nuances of sports broadcasting. They'll also explore how traditional media giants are adapting to fierce competition from newcomers like Netflix and Amazon, all while reminiscing about the evolving sports landscape.

John Skipper, CEO of Meadowlark Media, and David Samson, former president of the Miami Marlins, dive into the recent landmark deal where 'Inside the NBA' transitions to ESPN. They trace the intricate negotiations back to a 2005 trade involving a cartoon rabbit. The discussion also touches on Stephen A. Smith's ongoing contract talks and the controversies surrounding the new 12-team College Football Playoff, highlighting the messy interplay of sports politics and media rights.

Former head of ESPN John Skipper has produced an ambitious new project. Now he has to figure out how to get it in front of you: SportsExplains the World is a series of films featuring well-known personalities (like Curt Schilling) and people you’ve never heard of (like a group of skater girls in Ethiopia). What it doesn’t have, yet, is a deal to get them on a TV screen near you — a condition that may or may not say a lot about the streaming industry in 2023. Skipper and executive producer Smriti Keshari recently sat down with Vox’s PeterKafka at the Tribeca Film Festival to talk about the work of figuring out what streamers want, why an a la carte ESPN would be a bad deal for consumers and why nothing will ever live up to The Last Dance.Featuring: John Skipper (@johnskipper), Cofounder and CEO of Meadowlark MediaSmriti Keshari (@keshari), filmmaker and Executive Producer of Sports Explains the WorldHost: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at RecodeMore to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more to get their take on today's media landscape.About Recode by Vox: Recode by Vox helps you understand how tech is changing the world — and changing us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices