The Varsity

Latest Episodes:

Gary Bettman: O Canada! Apr 06, 2025

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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman swings by The Varsity to gab about the league’s recent successes, including the Four Nations tournament and his $11 billion media rights deal with Roger’s Communications. Then Bettman wades into NHL’s international plans… and addresses how Trump’s trade war on Canada could impact the league’s economics. Plus: the future of hockey on ESPN, WBD, local TV, and more!

Marchand, Round 2! Apr 02, 2025

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In a special reunion episode, the legendary Andrew Marchand returns for a rollicking conversation about the NFL’s streaming strategy, from Amazon’s Thursday Night Football to Netflix’s Christmas Day triple header. Then, they debate whether ESPN will reacquire Sunday Night Baseball rights and the effectiveness of MLB's current media tactics. Finally, they touch on JJ Watt's move to CBS and the future of NFL broadcasting.

Gary Danielson’s Final Analysis Mar 30, 2025

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CBS’s top college football analyst, Gary Danielson, joins John for a candid chat about his decision to retire after an incredible 36-season run in the booth. Gary revisits the highs, the hurdles, and the unforgettable calls—like the “Kick Six” and “Holy Toledo” games—that cemented his legacy. He also discusses why adaptability is so vital to college sports and breaks down the ripple effects of its rapidly shifting landscape.

The Sports Streaming Battle Royale Mar 26, 2025

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Julia Alexander joins John for a wide-ranging conversation on the high-stakes battle for sports streaming supremacy. She unpacks Peacock’s savvy regional sports play, ESPN’s multi-pronged strategy, and YouTube’s untapped advertising goldmine. Plus, she analyzes Netflix’s more experimental approach and why Apple TV+ is struggling to keep up.

Can Netflix Outpace YouTube? Mar 23, 2025

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MoffettNathanson’s Michael Nathanson and Robert Fishman join John for a deep dive into the world of streaming. They debate the brewing Netflix vs. YouTube streaming war, examine the fluctuating landscape of sports media rights, and explore what’s next for ESPN’s Flagship. Plus, they probe the broader implications of sports betting for the sports media industry.

Do the Wright Thing Mar 19, 2025

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Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright joins John for a candid chat about the evolution of his legendary career. He explains the moment he knew it was time to retire and discusses how the job changed over his 22 years helming Villanova, including two national championships. He also weighs into all the massive upheaval in college sports, the notorious transfer portal, and the murky future of the NCAA Tournament. Then, Jay dives into his transition into star CBS analyst.

TNT's Life After NBA Mar 16, 2025

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Luis Silberwasser, the C.E.O. and chairman of TNT Sports, joins John for a rollicking discussion about the state of his company in the aftermath of losing its rights to the NBA. Luis goes deep on how those negotiations unfolded, and breaks down TNT’s shifted focus on digital expansion and engaging a younger audience. He also dishes on their unique relationship with March Madness, and how he feels about a potential expansion to the tourney.

LIV and Let Die Mar 12, 2025

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Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch joins John for an in-depth breakdown of the chaos percolating professional golf. Eamon explains why the sport is facing a crisis of confidence and structure—and why the PGA Tour can’t just rely on its past glory anymore. He also dishes on the Tour's search for a C.E.O., calls out its history of arrogance and complacency, and takes a deep dive into the ever-controversial LIV Golf. Plus, could a PGA-LIV reunification ever happen?

Women’s Soccer’s Billion-Dollar Glow-Up Mar 09, 2025

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NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman joins John for a deep dive into the league’s burgeoning popularity, following a record-breaking season in attendance and TV viewership. She highlights the power of storytelling in building cultural relevance before pulling back the curtain on the league’s massive media rights deals with ESPN, CBS, and Amazon Prime—a game-changing 40-fold increase in game sales. Jessica also weighs in on the impact of high-profile international transfers, like Naomi Girma’s $1.1 million move to Chelsea.

A New D.C. Sports Monopoly? Mar 05, 2025

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Axios’s Sara Fischer rejoins John to dig into the rapid decline of R.S.N.s, and in particular, the unraveling of MASN—once the home of the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles. With the Nationals walking away from the network entirely, could this move pave the way for Ted Leonsis to buy the team and create a D.C. sports monopoly? Plus, the duo forecast the fallout of the MLB-ESPN uncoupling and dig into Fox’s forthcoming D.T.C. product expected to launch by the end of the year.

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