The Sports Media Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 84: ESPN layoffs and what they mean for the business Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

ESPN started a round of layoffs this week that included one employee of 43 years in PR executive Mike Soltys and another employee of 26 years in senior executive Russell Wolff. Hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand discuss how ESPN’s string of layoffs have affected the morale inside the company. They talk about the business decisions that led to this point, and what this means for the future of ESPN. Marchand and Ourand also discuss ESPN’s announcer signings (Marcus Spears and, potentially, Pat McAfee) and rights deals in light of the layoffs.

Outside of ESPN, Marchand and Ourand outline the changes that should be expected at NBC in the wake of Comcast’s sudden move to let go of Jeff Shell after he admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a coworker. The two hosts talk about what viewers should look for during the upcoming NFL Draft telecasts, and they walk through Adam Silver’s and Rob Manfred’s vision of how fan will be able to watch local sports over the next several years.

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

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Episode 83: Adam Silver on the NBA’s media future Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

In this week’s Marchand & Ourand Sports Media Podcast: Commissioner Adam Silver discusses the future of the league’s local and national media rights. The hosts use clips from Silver’s interview at the CAA World Congress of Sports to discuss how the NBA plans to approach the RSN problems and its coming national media rights deal. Marchand and Ourand also discuss the NBA’s plans around its in-season tournament and how it will play in the upcoming national media rights negotiations.

Elsewhere on the podcast, Marchand and Ourand discuss the upcoming ESPN layoffs and Marcus Spears new four-year, multi-million deal to stay at the network. The two also dive into the technical problems that affected Netflix and AppleTV+ over the weekend and the early returns on MLB’s rule changes. As always, the two offer their opinions about ‘Who’s Up’ and ‘Who’s Down’ in sports media this week.

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 82: Sunday Ticket Prices, Jim Nantz and Pac-12 Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

YouTube TV just released prices for its “NFL Sunday Ticket” package, which is the opening topic on this week’s podcast. Hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand discuss why the streaming company made its prices so high and what innovations consumers should expect. The two also dive into the Pac-12’s media rights negotiations, outlining the expected timetable to reach a deal and why The CW is not a likely destination for the college conference’s rights.

Marchand and Ourand take a deep dive into CBS and ESPN’s coverage of The Masters, including a review of Jim Nantz’s performance as lead announcer and the networks’ mid-round interviews with golfers that were competing in the tournament, including Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas. Ourand provides and update on Warner Bros. Discovery’s regional sports network strategy, and Marchand previews the NBA’s playoff storylines.

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 81: Jim Nantz and the explosion of women’s sports Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

In the aftermath of the LSU and UConn college basketball championships, hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand dive into the health of both sports as media properties. The two look at the storylines that helped the popularity of the NCAA Women’s College Basketball Tournament and discuss the social media controversy surrounding Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark - the two most popular players in the championship game. Marchand and Ourand bring up Jim Nantz’s final call as play-by-play announcer for the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament and review the tournament’s studio show.

Other topics for the pod include a preview of this weekend’s Masters golf tournament and a review of Endeavor’s deal to buy WWE. As always the hosts provide their picks for Who’s Up and Who’s Down for the week and go back to the women’s tournament for their Call of the Week..

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 80: WWE chief Nick Khan is the Big Get Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

WWE CEO Nick Khan joins the podcast days before Wrestlemania and talks about the tumultuous past 12 months when Vince McMahon left the company amid reports of sexual misconduct only to return after six months. Khan addresses the company’s plan to sell its media rights, Wrestlemania’s role in kicking off those talks, Pat McAfee’s role with the company and Roman Reigns Hollywood future.

Khan also offers his outlook on the sports media business, including the market for streaming services. He outlines the situation faced by the Pac-12 and NBA as they prepare to go to market with their media rights. Khan also talks about PGA Tour’s strategy against LIV Golf and ESPN’s strategy when it comes to streaming. The most influential talent agent before he joined WWE, Khan discusses the salary structure for sports media’s biggest stars and his role in changing the on-air salary structure at ESPN.

Marchand and Ourand preview MLB Season and NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four and discuss Twitter’s future role in sports media. The co-hosts begin the pod as they always do – presenting their picks for Who’s Up and Who’s Down in sports media for the week.

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 79: ESPN layoffs and The Big Get Rebecca Lobo Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

As ESPN employees gird for another round of layoffs that’s about to hit the company, podcast hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand look into what to expect and decisions Disney executives have made to get to this point. Sticking with ESPN, the hosts also talk about Troy Aikman’s role in the changes in the “Monday Night Football” production truck, where Derek Mobley and Steve Ackels will replace Jimmy Platt and Phil Dean as director and producer.

Other topics have Marchand and Ourand dissecting Pat McAfee’s choices as he decides where to take his career; predicting who will replace Ian Eagle on the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 and Elite Eight telecasts; and offer a tribute to Greg Gumbel, who is stepping away from play-by-play duties on the NFL next year while remaining a studio host for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The future of the Pac-12 media rights are another topic Marchand and Ourand discuss on this week’s pod.

SBJ’s Austin Karp joins the pod for another installment of Karp’s Korner where he discusses the TV viewership performance of the NCAA Tournament and LIV Golf. As always, the two offer their picks for who in sports media is up and who’s down for the week, and they roll out a Call of the Week.

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 78: Jim Nantz’s last dance and more RSN Armageddon Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

Jim Nantz’s final NCAA Tournament as lead announcer is the lead topic on this week’s podcast with Andrew Marchand and John Ourand also discuss Jay Wright’s first March Madness as a full-time announcer. Bob Iger said it was “inevitable” that ESPN would be offered as a direct-to-consumer service at some point, prompting Marchand and Ourand to continue their long-running debate on when that would be and how much it would cost.

This is the week that Diamond Sports Group, which owns the Bally Sports regional sports networks, is expected to file for bankruptcy protection. The hosts talk about what that development means for fans. Other topics include changes inside ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” production truck and the trend of NFL hosts that publicize questionable information. Marchand and Ourand also answer questions from their mailbag on the pricing of the MLS Season Pass package and how to tell when announcers are past their prime.

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 77: The future of ESPN and The Big Get Doris Burke Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

In the wake of ESPN’s executive reorg, pod hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand look into the future of ESPN, including a discussion of when ESPN will make its main channel available to cord cutters via streaming. The hosts also dissect MLB’s move to create a local media department and talk about what that means for the RSN business.

ESPN’s NBA analyst Doris Burke joins this week as The Big Get and discusses how she got into the announcing business, her big break and the announcers she listened to growing up. Burke talks in depth about her reactions to the time when the rapper Drake wore a Doris Burke shirt courtside at an NBA game in 2016.

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 76: RSN Armageddon – what does it mean for the future of sports Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:

Diamond Sports, which operates 19 regional sports networks, is headed into bankruptcy. Warner Bros. Discovery told teams that it is weeks away from shutting down its three AT&T SportsNet RSNs for good. Hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand discuss how the failing financial fortunes at the regional sports networks will affect how fans watch the games.

Marchand and Ourand also provide updates on the Pac-12 media rights situation and review Apple’s first weekend with MLS games. They also talk about the TV future of Charles Barkley and Frank Thomas. As always, the duo provide their picks for who in sports media is up – and who in sports media is down – for the week.

For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 75: Apple, the Pac-12 and the future of media rights Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

The Pac-12’s on-again and off-again negotiations for its next round of media rights take center stage on this week’s podcast, as hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand discuss which media companies are interested in doing a deal and which ones aren’t. Marchand reported that Apple has emerged as a potential landing spot for the Pac-12, leading the hosts to dissect Apple’s sports media strategy.

Other topics on this week’s pod include the NBA’s All-Star Game performance, MLB rule changes and the first weekend of the XFL. Marchand and Ourand talk about the TV production innovations they like most from the XFL and the USFL, which starts its second season in April. This episode has a Mailbag segment where the hosts answer questions from email and Twitter. Marchand and Ourand offer a tribute to longtime MLB broadcast Tim McCarver, who died Feb. 16.

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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