John Skipper

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.

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

John Skipper, former ESPN president and current DAZN executive chairman, reminisces about their time at ESPN with Bill Simmons. They delve into the creation of '30 for 30' and the triumphs of ESPN Magazine, exploring the challenges of transitioning from print to digital media. Skipper shares insights on navigating media evolution and the impactful partnerships that shaped ESPN's growth. Their humor shines through as they discuss pronouncing DAZN, while reflections on workplace dynamics and broadcasting rights reveal the intricate landscape of sports media.