The Varsity

Greg Wyshynski, ESPN NHL analyst and veteran hockey writer, joins John to dive into the latest NHL season. They discuss the league's labor peace and a new CBA set for next September. Greg highlights Conor McDavid’s team-friendly deal and contrasts it with Kaprizov’s record contract. He examines the implications of no-income-tax markets on team competitiveness and shares insights on potential expansions, including a promising franchise in Utah. Their chat also touches on the USA-Canada rivalry and the future of international competitions.

Cody Campbell, a billionaire Texas Tech booster and former college/NFL player, passionately advocates for reforms in college sports through his "Saving College Sports" campaign. He discusses the broken NCAA structure, arguing that current issues stem from outdated governance and media rights models. Cody proposes modernizing the Sports Broadcasting Act, which could potentially add $7 billion in new revenue. He emphasizes the importance of college athletics in building character and opportunities, while also advocating for a more equitable governing body for all sports.

Sara Fischer, a media reporter at Axios with deep expertise in sports and media business, joins to discuss ESPN’s recent partnerships with the NFL and MLB. She highlights the rapid success of ESPN and Fox’s DTC launches, both surpassing a million sign-ups in a short time. The conversation also dives into the ongoing distribution rivalry between NBC and YouTube TV, the implications of media-league equity deals, and the potential shake-up of NFL rights negotiations. Plus, find out why Bad Bunny was the chosen performer for the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Michael Nathanson, a veteran media analyst and founder of Moffitt Nathanson, shares insights into the ever-evolving world of sports media. He discusses David Ellison's aggressive spending at Paramount and why legacy media is clinging to live sports rights amidst cord-cutting. The conversation explores the NFL's potential early rights negotiations and innovative packaging strategies for streaming platforms. Nathanson also delves into the rising value of mid-tier sports and how YouTube is positioning itself as a major player in the TV landscape.

Simpsons fans —THE VAULT IS OPEN!  I’m Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson for 35+ years, and I’m finally taking you inside Springfield. Simpsons Declassified is your all-access pass to the world’s most iconic, animated  series.   Each week, we crack open wild predictions, eerie coincidences and fan conspiracies and stories  from 36 seasons (that’s 800+ episodes!) behind-the-scenes with writers, directors, the cast and  celebrity superfans, PLUS…Simpsons-themed games— play along and test your Springfield IQ.   Hear exclusive stories from our guests who were there! Perhaps some scenes that almost never  aired, the jokes that died, the ones that lived and the moments that still shock me at the mic.  Produced and showrun by Monica Gil-Rodriguez. From Audacy Podcasts and CRE84U  Entertainment. Follow now to get new episodes first — and drop your wildest Simpsons’ theory in a review for  a chance to be featured on our uniquely unique podcast, Simpsons Declassified. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dany Garcia, a businesswoman and co-owner of the UFL, shares her vision for the future of spring football. She dives into the importance of storytelling and creating compelling content to engage fans. With partnerships from Disney and Fox, Garcia emphasizes innovation and adapting to the media landscape. She also highlights the untapped potential of women's sports, particularly women's rugby, and discusses how AI can enhance strategic efforts. Her journey from finance to sports ownership showcases her passion for investing in dynamic projects.

Charlie Neiman, Amazon's head of sports partnerships, shares insights on the company's groundbreaking deal with Augusta National to stream the Masters. He discusses Amazon's strategies for acquiring top-tier sports rights, including the NFL and NBA. Charlie reveals the innovative use of AI in broadcasts, from predictive features to customized feeds that enhance viewer experience. Tune in for an inside look at how Amazon is reshaping the sports landscape with technology and creative storytelling!

Mark Shapiro, president of WME Group and TKO, dives into the thrilling world of media rights in sports. With a rich history in dealmaking, he discusses his groundbreaking UFC and WWE deals, shedding light on why these properties command top dollar. Shapiro analyzes streaming strategies, comparing Netflix and YouTube's roles in live sports. He also shares insights into boxing's resurgence, particularly the excitement around the monumental Canelo–Crawford showdown that drew 70,000 fans, signaling a bright future for the sport.

Former pro bowl quarterback Matt Ryan joins John to discuss his transition from the sidelines to CBS’s star football analyst, and the art of calling the game. Then he weighs in on the league’s hottest debates—from the potential 18-game expansion to fantasy football, sports betting, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pablo Torre, former ESPN mainstay turned podcast sleuth, joins John to unravel his latest investigations—into Bill Belichick, the NFLPA, and most recently, his bombshell report on the Clippers’ alleged salary cap circumvention. He also weighs in on the tightrope of balancing independence with partnerships like The New York Times and The Athletic—and his aspirations for his podcast’s future, including potential expansion to television. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices