John Skipper

John Skipper, former president of ESPN, and David Samson, ex-MLB executive, dive into the tensions between Disney and Google over ESPN’s availability. They explore the complexities of carriage disputes and the potential fallout of losing Monday Night Football. Insights on subscriber behavior and negotiation tactics unfold, while they debate whether a bespoke bundle could save the day. With a $20 subscriber credit and strategic positioning at stake, they ponder who has the upper hand in this high-stakes media showdown.

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.

David Samson, former president of the Miami Marlins, and John Skipper, ex-president of ESPN, dive deep into the murky waters of sports and gambling. They explore why millionaires might risk it all on bets and how teams navigate gambling scandals. The duo discusses the psychological aspects of wealthy athletes gambling and the implications of legalized sports betting for integrity and detection. They even touch on the WNBA's labor disputes and the historical mystery of the Montreal Expos' downfall. A must-listen for sports enthusiasts!

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

Join John Skipper, former president of ESPN and expert in sports media, alongside David Samson, former MLB executive and sports business commentator, as they dive into the tangled web of sports business. They discuss whether Warner Bros. initiated a hostile takeover and the implications of the FIFA bribery case. Skipper shares insights from his courtroom testimony while Samson reveals the growing influence of institutional investors. They even invent a new cocktail amidst their lively banter about the shifting landscape of sports rights and consolidation.