The Varsity cover art
Podcast · 140 episodes

The Varsity, page 2

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.

All episodes, page 2

Fanatically SpeakingSports Week in New York—Fanatics Fest (third year) and the revamped ESPYs, plus how Fanatics Studios and Fanatics Events are using “surround sound” content, brand partnerships, and fan access to…12 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 15 chapters
Can Linear TV Actually Afford More NFL?NFL media rights economics and what linear TV networks can “afford,” plus broader sports-media shifts (streaming vs broadcast) and two major media deals: Comcast’s NBCU/NBC/Peacock/Sky spin-off and…8 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 18 chapters
Wimbledon’s Grass is Always GreenerWimbledon and broader tennis business—Serena’s comeback spectacle, player protests over prize-money share, and why women’s tennis and tennis growth aren’t getting the same “women’s sports rocket…5 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 22 chapters
Fox Sports’ Golden BootThe Varsity podcast episode mixes (1) a gambling-scandal segment about NBA prop bets and (2) a long interview with Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks about the U.S.1 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 17 chapters
Soccer’s American DreamThe 2026 World Cup’s U.S. impact and what soccer’s next media and growth steps could be, including streaming-rights speculation for the 2030 World Cup and MLS’s future.28 Jun 2026 · 44 min · 12 chapters
FanDuel’s Next GambleFanDuel President Christian Genetski (spelled “Janetski” in transcript) discusses World Cup betting demand, sports-betting integrity scandals, and FanDuel Predicts (prediction markets) strategy amid…24 Jun 2026 · 44 min · 16 chapters
College Sports ConfidentialCollege sports governance and integrity amid federal legislation (Protect College Sports Act), conference power struggles (Big Ten vs SEC), and the Brendan Sorsby gambling/eligibility controversy.21 Jun 2026 · 44 min · 16 chapters
The James Dolan ParadoxHow the Knicks reached their first NBA title since 1973, framed as the “James Dolan Paradox” (hands-on owner vs. hands-off results), plus Knicks culture change and playoff atmosphere.17 Jun 2026 · 44 min · 15 chapters
UFC's White House Fright NightThe episode covers (1) UFC hosting an MMA event on the White House lawn and the resulting White House press-access controversy, (2) UFC’s broader live-events business momentum, (3) Formula One’s…14 Jun 2026 · 44 min · 14 chapters
YouTube’s NFL Discipline & NFL Partner MathNCAA gambling suspension vs court challenge, then a deep dive on NFL broadcast/streaming partner negotiations—especially YouTube vs Netflix—and what that means for cord-cutting and linear TV’s future.10 Jun 2026 · 44 min · 14 chapters
Full Court Press!Sports law and politics—why sports are central on Capitol Hill and in courts; likely changes in college athletics; and the NFL’s Sports Broadcasting Act and Sunday Ticket antitrust litigation.7 Jun 2026 · 47 min · 15 chapters
Burke Magnus’s ESPN Wish ListESPN content chief Burke Magnus discusses how ESPN is evolving its programming and distribution across TV, digital, and social; covers major sports partnerships and rights (NBA, NFL Network, MLB.tv);…3 Jun 2026 · 47 min · 19 chapters
Is the U.S. Ready for the World Cup?U.S. Soccer COO Dan Helfrich discusses the business and readiness behind the 2026 World Cup in North America, addressing roster excitement, how the organization handles negative headlines, fan…31 May 2026 · 47 min · 13 chapters
In Defense of Apple’s Crazy F1 MathSports media rights in a streaming-first era, with deep dives on UFC/Paramount and Apple’s F1 deal; also critiques MLB and discusses NFL and other upcoming rights.27 May 2026 · 47 min · 18 chapters
The Beautiful (iPhone) GameThe episode discusses sports media and production trends, starting with Apple’s stunt-like broadcast of an LA Galaxy vs.24 May 2026 · 47 min · 15 chapters
Super Bowl or BustSports advertising and “tentpole” events—how ad buying has evolved from linear TV to streaming, targeting, sponsorship enhancements, and AI optimization; why the Super Bowl remains uniquely valuable;…20 May 2026 · 47 min · 20 chapters
Any Given WednesdayThe episode mixes NFL schedule/streaming changes with a deep discussion of sports media’s “creator economy,” talent-led IP, and how success is measured across platforms (direct-to-audience vs…17 May 2026 · 47 min · 17 chapters
Pro Sports’ Private Equity PickleJason Stein, managing partner of SC Holdings, explains how he invests in sports/entertainment and why private equity in sports is still early.13 May 2026 · 47 min · 15 chapters
The Future of ESPNMedia industry in 2026, focusing on the “creator economy” vs big publishers, ESPN/Disney strategy (including whether ESPN could be spun off), and how NFL rights negotiations and federal scrutiny…10 May 2026 · 47 min · 19 chapters
Is the Next Great American Sports League… Lacrosse?State of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) as its eighth season begins, plus how Paul Rabel plans to grow viewership, media/storytelling, and the new Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL), with an eye toward…6 May 2026 · 47 min · 19 chapters
LIV to Die?Live Golf’s collapse after Saudi funding was pulled, and its impact on the PGA Tour’s business model and leadership.3 May 2026 · 47 min · 18 chapters
Introducing Family LoreThe origins of the Snurfer and how a Muskegon, Michigan family’s “family legend” claims helped spark early snowboarding culture, including the idea that a father’s backyard invention evolved into a…1 May 2026 · 11 min · 5 chapters
The NFL’s Media MonopolyThe NFL’s “media monopoly” and what it means for NFL media rights, streaming, broadcast partners, and regulation/antitrust; plus a segment on regulated sports betting vs prediction markets.29 Apr 2026 · 47 min · 21 chapters
Who Won NFL Draft Weekend?The NFL draft’s TV/media coverage and what it signals for NFL media rights amid Washington, D.C. scrutiny and streaming negotiations.26 Apr 2026 · 47 min · 18 chapters