The Sports Media Podcast

The year is 2025. Who will be the biggest players – and biggest losers – in sports media? One of the country’s top analysts, MoffettNathanson’s Michael Nathanson, joins Andrew Marchand and John Ourand to talk about the changes they expect to see in the business over the next three years.Topics include the coming battle for NBA rights and why they are so important to Warner Bros. Discovery; the case against streaming; and what will happen to sports teams' local media rights. Nathanson talks about the strength of the cable bundle and what networks could do to hurt it. And the trio gives their analysis on the differing sports strategies of Amazon versus Apple, who could buy Fox and when will ESPN offer its main channel direct-to-consumer.Mentioned on this week’s podcast: Adam Silver, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, LeBron James, Pat McAfee, Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley, Eric Shanks, Aaron Judge, John Sterling, Suzyn Waldman, Chris Ripley, Walter White, John Skipper, David Zaslav, Tripp Mickle, Chris Mason, David Levy, Acie Wyatt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hours before taping this pod, John Ourand broke the news that ESPN would not be carrying Big Ten football in 2023; Fox, CBS and NBC would share those rights. Andrew Marchand broke the news that CBS and NBC each would pay $350 million per year for their packages. On this pod, the two discussed everything you need to know about the deals, including what it means for the networks, what it means for Big Tech and what it means for college conferences. NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” host Jason McCourty joins as The Big Get and talks about how he got his broadcasting break at the NFL Broadcasting Bootcamp and where he wants to take his on-air career. McCourty, who won a Super Bowl with the Patriots, also gives his best Tom Brady and Bill Belichick stories.Mentioned this week: Brett Yormark, Jeff Bezos, Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kelly Sheffield, Larry Jones, Mark Silverman, George Kliavkoff, Michael Nathanson, John Skipper, Chris Mason, Pat McAfee, Peyton Manning, Daryl Johnston, Joe Davis, Tom Brady, Greg Olsen, Mark Sanchez, Ray Rice, Brian Leonard, Greg Schiano, Devin McCourty, Melissa McCourty, Michelle Powell, Drew Brees, LeBron James, Stephon Gilmore, J.C Jackson, Gisele Bündchen, Bill Belichick, Brian Belichick, Steve Belichick, John Glennon, Jamie Erdahl, Kyle Brandt, Peter Schrager, Rich Rodriguez, Pat White, Steve Slaton, Noel Devine, Darius Reynaud, Nick Faldo, Jim Nantz, Trevor Immelman, Acie Wyatt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand discuss why TNT's Charles Barkley said no to LIV. They examine the issues surrounding Comcast and Peacock. They go deeper into how the Champions League rights deal looks as if it may come down to the incumbent CBS/Paramount+ vs. Amazon. They also talk about how if they were TV and streaming programmers they would be doubling down on women's sports because the viewers are there. Those earning mentions include Chris Russo, Mike Francesa, Bill Morrow, Brian Roberts, Greg Norman, John Sterling and Aaron Judge. Editor's note: This week's podcast was recorded before the passing of Vin Scully. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Charles Barkley’s dalliance with the LIV Golf tour and the NFL’s launch of its NFL+ streaming service are two of the big topics discussed by Andrew Marchand and John Ourand this week. The two also talk about the NFL’s Sunday Ticket negotiations, the NFL announcers that bring the most intrigue and MLB’s mid-season report card. Legendary sports media producer and executive David Hill is this week’s Big Get. He talks about LIV Golf’s productions and why Formula 1 has become popular in the U.S. Hill also discusses his 22 year career at Fox Sports where he earned a reputation as one of the business’ most innovative producers, overseeing production of Super Bowls, World Series, Stanley Cup Finals and BCS Championships. Mentioned on this week’s pod: Charles Barkley, Donald Trump, Rod Studd, Mark Silverman, Larry Jones, Jason Benetti, Karl Ravech, Boog Sciambi, Joe Davis, Joe Buck, Adam Amin, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Nick Khan, Bruce Springsteen, Dan Patrick, Tony Romo, Troy Aikman, Mark Cuban, Michael Wilbon, Bryant Gumbel, Greg Gumbel, Ahmad Rashad, Joe Biden, Jim Dolan, Greg Norman, Roger Goodell, Brian Rolapp, Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kevin Burkharst, Greg Olsen, Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Tom Brady, Bob Costas, Jim Kaat, Will Staeger, James Watson, David Feherty, John Madden, Arlo White, Chase Carey, Ross Brawn, Bernie Ecclestone, James Gay-Reese, Stefano Domenicali, Tim McCarver, Murray Walker, Richie Benaud, Sean McDonough, Will McDonough, Jimmy Johnson, Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, Rudy Martzke, Stan Honey, Paul Tagliabue, Eric Shanks, Barry Hearn, Annie Hill, Sydney McLaughlin, Leigh Diffey, Lindsey Adler, Aroldis Chapman, Anthony Santander Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand discuss how Apple or Amazon can create a new distribution model for the NFL with the Sunday Ticket deal, which could be global. The two discuss what is next for the Big Ten and its TV rights, ESPN+'s monthly pay hike and what it means, David Feherthy's move to LIV Golf, the issues with the Derek Jeter doc and Tom Brady. And they end the show with the: "How many followers on Twitter does this person have?" game.Others mentioned include Charles Barkley, Gary McCord, Brian Rolaap, Chris Berman, Chris Burke, Kyle Peterson, Karl Ravech, Kiley McDaniel, Mark Evans. Casey Close, Doug Gottleib. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sports media’s two biggest rights deals that are available at the moment – one for the Big Ten and the other for the UEFA Champions League – are the first two topics on this week’s podcast. Andrew Marchand and John Ourand provide updates on what viewers can expect once these deals get signed. The two also look at Matthew Berry’s decision to leave ESPN after a 15-year run. Marchand and Ourand talk about where he’s headed and why it makes sense. They also look at who will replace Berry as the face of ESPN’s fantasy sports business. Other topics include a new on-air role at ESPN for Robert Griffin III and the latest on the NFL’s Sunday Ticket negotiations. Mentioned this week: Danny Sillman, Robert Griffin III, Randy Moss, David Jacoby, Ja Morant, Eric Rydholm, Ben Strauss, Adam Schefter, Armando Benitez, Chris Mason, Acie Wyatt, Abe Madkour, Mark Sanchez, Matthew Berry, Field Yates, Stephania Bell, Mike Clay, Pete Sampras, Roger Goodell, Brian Rolapp, Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic, Chris Fowler, John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Renaud Lichtenstein, Bud Collins, Dick Enberg. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand give their insights on what is happening behind the scenes as the billions of dollars in TV money has changed the landscape of college football with USC and UCLA moving to the Big Ten. They explain how the Big Ten and SEC expansions are big successes for leaders of Fox Sports (Eric Shanks) and ESPN (Jimmy Pitaro), while also delving into who else may be involved, including Amazon and Apple. In the rest of the pod, Marchand and Ourand wonder why MLB didn't have other Yankees and others playing on July 4, have an update on where the MLS negotiations stand with ESPN and Fox, as well as the end of NBC's Olympic Channel. They also revisit some of last week's guest host, David Levy's opinions. Plus, a tribute to Hank Goldberg.Mentioned on this week’s pod: Brian Windhorst, David Levy, Jack Swarbrick, Eric Shanks, Jimmy Pitaro, Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, Jacob deGrom. Max Scherzer, Chris Sale, Manny Machado, Adley Rutschman, Austin Hays, Aaron Judge, Rob Manfred, Nick Saban, Tripp Mickle, Tim Cook, John Skipper, Eddy Cue, David Zaslav, Don Garber, Adam Gold, Hank Goldberg, Jeremy Schaap, Hy Goldberg, Edwin Pope, Dan Le Batard. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Turner Broadcasting boss David Levy fills in as a guest host for Andrew Marchand, who is on vacation this week. Levy and John Ourand go in-depth on a variety of topics, including Formula 1’s new deal with ESPN that’s worth $75-90 million per year; what to expect when the NBA’s media rights are available in three years; and a review – and preview – of LIV Golf’s launch. The two also discuss MLS’s Apple deal, Apple’s sports strategy vs Amazon’s, ESPN’s direct-to-consumer plans and where to find the best sports media investments these days.Levy is chairman of Genius Sports, senior advisor of the Raine Group and founder and CEO of the sports investing and consultancy company Back Nine Ventures.Those mentioned on this pod include: Chris Mason, Amanda Levy, Brett Levy, Niki Levy, Eric Shanks, Adam Silver, Jay Marine, Don Garber, Jay Monahan, David Hill, Rory McIroy, Justin Thomas, LeBron James, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Jake Paul, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Adley Rutschman, Kevin Brown, Jim Palmer, Gary Thorne Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand go deep about the future of sports media in light of the Apple-MLS deal, as both have extensively researched and reported on the subject. At minimum, it will have an impact on what happens with the NBA in 2025 and could be a landmark move that one day down the road has serious implications for all the major sports leagues. Plus, Ryan Fitzpatrick joins the pod fresh off the announcement that he has officially joined Amazon as a studio analyst for Thursday NIght Football this fall. Fitzpatrick goes in depth into his career, why Amazon is next and how he and his wife manage their seven children. Those mentioned in the pod include: Adam Silver, Mike Bass, Chris Ripley, Jerry Reinsdorf, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Mark Apter, Seinfeld, Chris Mason, Gary Bettman, Aaron Judge, Ryan Glasspiegel, Richard Sherman, Tony Gonzalez, Charissa Thompson, Jimmy Pitaro, Steve Bornstein, Timmy Chang, Nathaniel Hackett, Liza Barber, Tony Romo, Jim Nantz, Terry McLaurin, Carson Wentz, Drew Brees, Mark Sanchez, Daryl Johnston, Jon Vilma, Joel Klatt, Brock Huard, Bob Costas, Rudy Martkze, Marv Albert, Jerry Johnson, Sean McDonough, Joe Buck, Jack Buck, Mike Francesa, Chris Russo, Wally Pipp, Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Acie Wyatt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

News of Apple’s all-encompassing Major League Soccer deal broke just before Andrew Marchand and John Ourand taped this week’s podcast. The two go in-depth on deal terms and what Apple’s involvement means for the rest of the business. Marchand and Ourand also analyze what Luis Silberwasser’s surprise appointment as chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports means for the sports media business and what changes to expect at Turner Sports. Chris Solomon, host of the golf podcast No Laying Up, joins this week as The Big Get. Speaking from the US Open, Solomon talked about the future of LIV Golf and the PGA Tour and what to expect from both. As always, the two pick who’s up (Peyton Manning and Don Garber) and who’s down (Bob Chapek and Jay Monahan), as well as the Call of the Week from Mike Breen.Mentions this week: Rory McIroy, Greg Norman, Don Garber, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Pat McAfee, Dan Le Batard, Tom Brady, Bob Chapek, Jay Monahan, Jim Nantz, Michael Jordan, Taylor Twellman, Chris LaPlaca, David Zaslav, Chris Mason, Lenny Daniels, Jimmy Pitaro, Jeff Zucker, David Levy, Karen Brodkin, Hillary Mandel, Sean McDonough, Al Michaels, Joe Buck, Jack Buck, Dick Enberg, Curt Gowdy, Dick Stockton, Charissa Thompson, Kay Adams, Nate Burleson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Richard Sherman, Tony Gonzalez, Marshawn Lynch, Kirk Herbstreit, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Charles Schwartzel, Phil Mickelson, Mark Cuban, Elon Musk, Talor Gooch, Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Mohammad bin Salman, Jordan Poole, Mike Breen, Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Eddy Cue. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.