The Varsity

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

Dylan Byers joins John to dig into the NFL’s streaming playbook, starting with Friday’s YouTube debut. They discuss how the NFL, NBA, and other leagues are walking a tightrope between expanding their digital footprint and keeping legacy partners appeased. They also explore the so-called democratization of sports and news media, the outsized role of live rights, why ESPN’s shiny new app still needs some polishing—and much 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

Jon Kelly joins John to map the many fault lines in today’s sports media circus, from cable's slow bleed to the sports rights land grab by streamers like Netflix and Amazon. They also dig into YouTube’s NFL experiment in Brazil and why MLB’s golden age may be gone for good. 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

NBC’s veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico joins John to yap about the upcoming NFL season that’s already brimming with soap opera-esque storylines—most recently the Cowboys shipping Micah Parsons off to Green Bay. Mike and John get into the ripple effects of the blockbuster deal, the NFL’s sustained brand dominance, Tirico’s next act leading NBC’s play-by-play NBA coverage, and much 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

NBC’s Mike Florio returns to the pod for a wide-ranging NFL season preview, tackling the biggest off-the-field questions facing the league: the NFL's in-house justice system, the league’s potential 10% ownership stake in ESPN and its impact on coverage, the NFLPA's leadership issues, the potential expansion to 18 games, and much, much 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