The Varsity
Puck | Audacy
Puck Sports Correspondent John Ourand and a rotating cast of industry insiders take you deep inside the executive suites and owner boxes that run the entire sports business. You’ll hear interviews with everyone from players to network execs and everyone in between. The Varsity is an extension of John's private email for Puck by the same name. New episodes publish twice-weekly, every Wednesday and Sunday.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 4, 2024 • 32min
The DirecTV Gambit & Bundle Extinction Events
Jon Kelly, co-founder of Puck and a keen observer of media and sports, dives into the intense Disney-DirecTV showdown impacting NFL fans. He discusses the shifting sands of cable bundling, emphasizing how streaming options are reshaping viewer preferences. Jon also highlights Amazon’s evolving strategies for its Thursday Night Football broadcasts, focusing on subscriber retention. The talk further touches on the growing influence of private equity in NFL ownership and the implications for future team valuations and franchises.
Sep 1, 2024 • 48min
Jimmy Pitaro on the NBA Deal, Stephen A., Flagship, Venu, McAfee & ESPN’s Future
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro sits down with John in Bristol for an incredibly candid and detailed conversation about the state of his business and the industry. The duo delve into ESPN’s various broadcast negotiations with the top leagues, its streaming strategy, an evolving view on talent, and so 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
Aug 28, 2024 • 37min
Peyton Manning on NIL, Brady, ManningCast, Belichick & More
Welcome to the maiden voyage of The Varsity. On this debut episode, John chats with Peyton Manning about the origins of his post-football career, the rise of the ManningCast, the genesis of Omaha Productions, and so much more—Brady, Bill, Tennessee, NIL, Eli, etcetera. It’s really great! 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
Aug 13, 2024 • 3min
Introducing The Varsity with John Ourand
Welcome to “The Varsity,” your new favorite podcast about what’s really happening in the business of sports and the players who run it all. Join Puck sports media correspondent John Ourand and a rotating cast of industry experts for inside-the-room conversations about the money behind the major leagues, the biggest network executive dramas, media rights battles, and so 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
