Podcast · 140 episodes
The Varsity
by Puck | Audacy · English
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.
Latest episodes
Golf’s Rolapp RevolutionThe PGA Tour’s post-LIV reset and what comes next—schedule structure (A/B tours and relegation), media-rights strategy, and other major golf issues like equipment regulation and creator/sponsor…30 Sep 2026 · 44 min
The NFL’s Ratings Slump & PGA Tour’s New SwingSports media and ratings—NFL viewership trends and streaming (Netflix), CBS’s NFL broadcast booth changes (Jim Nance/J.J. Watt; possible Tony Romo absence), and upcoming NFL/booth contract offseason.27 Sep 2026 · 44 min
Ted’s Monumental AdventureTed Leonsis (Monumental Sports & Entertainment) discusses his NHL chair appointment, the business of sports valuations, and how Capital One Arena’s $1B, three-year renovation is reshaping fan…23 Sep 2026 · 47 min
All episodes
Golf’s Rolapp RevolutionThe PGA Tour’s post-LIV reset and what comes next—schedule structure (A/B tours and relegation), media-rights strategy, and other major golf issues like equipment regulation and creator/sponsor…30 Sep 2026 · 44 min · 13 chapters
The NFL’s Ratings Slump & PGA Tour’s New SwingSports media and ratings—NFL viewership trends and streaming (Netflix), CBS’s NFL broadcast booth changes (Jim Nance/J.J. Watt; possible Tony Romo absence), and upcoming NFL/booth contract offseason.27 Sep 2026 · 44 min · 16 chapters
Ted’s Monumental AdventureTed Leonsis (Monumental Sports & Entertainment) discusses his NHL chair appointment, the business of sports valuations, and how Capital One Arena’s $1B, three-year renovation is reshaping fan…23 Sep 2026 · 47 min · 12 chapters
Kevin Burkhardt's Art of "Not Showing How Smart You Are"Kevin Burkhardt discusses the “art” of broadcasting—how to be prepared without sounding robotic, adapt to live game realities, and build on-air chemistry—plus his career path from local radio to Fox…20 Sep 2026 · 44 min · 12 chapters
TV’s New GatekeepersSports media “new gatekeepers” in the streaming era—why TV networks and leagues increasingly rely on aggregators (especially Roku) and how that changes cord-cutting, packaging, and sports-rights…16 Sep 2026 · 43 min · 18 chapters
Peter Schrager’s Big DayPeter Schrager’s new ESPN daily show “Big Day with Peter Schrager,” plus NFL business strategy and league priorities (international and flag football), and how ESPN can blend nostalgia with modern…13 Sep 2026 · 44 min · 17 chapters
Nick Khan's Plan to Let the Boxers BoxNick Khan (WWE president, TKO board member) discusses “fixing boxing” through Zuffa Boxing’s strategy: fewer, better fights (“best fight the best”), consistent scheduling, and stronger…9 Sep 2026 · 44 min · 20 chapters
Jim Gray’s History LessonsJim Gray’s “History Lessons” covers how sports journalism has changed, plus behind-the-scenes stories from major interviews (Mike Tyson ear-biting, Pete Rose’s return, LeBron James’ “The Decision”),…6 Sep 2026 · 43 min · 14 chapters
Can Washington Actually Fix College Sports?Whether Washington can “fix” college sports, plus related pro-sports business themes (NFL media/streaming, franchise valuations, and NFL global/flag-football expansion).2 Sep 2026 · 44 min · 16 chapters
The NFL’s Broadcasting Shake-UpThe NFL’s broadcasting shake-up, focusing on Pro Bowl changes, NFL announcer/analyst contract churn, and how media-rights and streaming deals will reshape coverage.30 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 20 chapters
NASCAR’s $7.7 Billion BetNASCAR’s media-rights and playoff “Chase” changes, and how Brian Herbst’s 2023 $7.7B deal is playing out amid major media-industry upheaval (Comcast/NBCU spinoff to Versant, Paramount buying WBD, Fox…26 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 15 chapters
Life After SIJimmy Traina discusses “Life after SI,” explaining why he left Sports Illustrated and what his new New York-focused venture, Underscore Media, will look like.23 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 16 chapters
Inside D.C.'s Sports Ownership BoomInside D.C.’s sports ownership boom, focusing on Mark Ein’s path from owning the Washington Castles (World Team Tennis) to investing in major franchises (Washington Commanders, Baltimore Orioles,…19 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 13 chapters
How Iger Got the LakersESPN’s Ramona Shelburne discusses the $12.5B sale of the Los Angeles Lakers by Mark Walter to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, how it happened, what it signals for pro-sports valuations, and related LA…16 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 15 chapters
Cable Bundles of JoyNFL media rights and whether major partners (especially Fox) will reopen deals early, plus “red/beige flags” for the NFL’s future amid cord-cutting and streaming.12 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 20 chapters
A ’26 NFL Off-Field Season Preview2026 NFL off-field season preview focused on sports media rights and broadcasting, especially the Sunday Ticket antitrust case; Tony Romo’s CBS status after an arrest; NFL network/ESPN business…9 Aug 2026 · 42 min · 14 chapters
Netflix’s NFL Booth & CBS’s Romo ConundrumThe business of sports media and talent—how cord-cutting and cost cutting squeeze “middle class” on-air jobs, why digital-first formats matter, and how new media players (Netflix/Amazon/prediction…5 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 16 chapters
Can the WNBA Survive Its Own Success?The WNBA’s rapid business growth (TV ratings, attendance, sponsorships, investor interest) contrasted with ongoing internal conflict and public controversies, focusing on commissioner Kathy…2 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 19 chapters
Is the A.I. Arms Race Coming for Sports?Sports media and rights amid an “AI arms race,” plus the business/legal outlook for Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery merger and how that affects sports bidding and streaming economics.29 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 17 chapters
What ESPN’s Layoffs Really SignalESPN layoffs and what they signal about sports media economics, especially NFL rights and ESPN’s cable-to-digital transition; also how ESPN handled high-profile on-air firings and what NFL Network…26 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 11 chapters
Has the U.S. Finally Fallen in Love with Soccer?U.S. Soccer’s post-World Cup momentum and how to convert it into a five-year “American soccer movement,” including youth access, cost reduction, and the importance of MLS 3.0 leadership and pro…22 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 20 chapters
Can MLB Surpass the NBA?MLB’s momentum vs NBA, MLB All-Star Week/derby format changes, and the looming 2027 labor lockout plus 2028 media-rights preview.19 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 13 chapters
Presenting: Fantasy Football TodayFantasy Football Today Express previewing off-season storylines across NFC divisions, with draft implications (ADP, start/sit, waiver/trade angles mentioned generally).17 Jul 2026 · 12 min · 3 chapters
Caught Stealing… The View?Sports media and legal battles—(1) the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger facing state AG challenges in the US and possible UK intervention, (2) FIFA World Cup ticket resale lawsuits and FIFA’s…15 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 12 chapters