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The Varsity

Puck | Audacy
NFL
ESPN
Streaming Services
Netflix
NBA
College Sports
NIL
World Cup
Major League Baseball
Media Rights
NASCAR
Disney
MLB
Women's Sports
NCAA
College Basketball
CBS Sports
College Football Playoff
NWSL
Super Bowl

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 ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes235Founded2 years ago
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Latest Episodes

In this special live recording from In the Arena, NCAA president Charlie Baker joins John to discuss the state and future of college athletics—which Baker describes as uncertain rather than chaotic, amid a swirl of court rulings, N.I.L., and revenue ... more

Wolfe Research’s Peter Supino joins John to discuss what comes next for Netflix’s sports strategy in the wake of Bela Bajaria’s abrupt exit. Peter explains why Netflix should partner with rivals like Peacock and pivot from one-off sports events to fu... more

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod to discuss Bela Bajaria’s exit from Netflix and whether her successor, former Disney and Fox executive Peter Rice, will lean more heavily into live sports. They also get into ESPN’s Super Bowl debut, sports rig... more

ESPN’s Jay Bilas joins John for a temperature check on the college sports landscape. Jay argues that the talent has never been better, and scrutinizes the NCAA for blaming the disorder it created while refusing to fix it—and hoping Congress will inst... more

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Recent Guests

Peter Supino
Wolfe Research analyst covering media and sports businesses
Wolfe Research
Episode: Should Netflix Buy NBCU?
Sara Fischer
Axios media correspondent and CNN media analyst.
Axios
Episode: Is Netflix About To Go Big On Sports?
Jay Bilas
ESPN college basketball analyst and former Duke basketball player
ESPN
Episode: Jay Bilas’s NCAA Gospel
Greg Wyshynski
Senior NHL writer, ESPN; former Puck Daddy founder
ESPN
Episode: Can the NHL Really Go Global?
Adam Silver
Commissioner of the NBA
National Basketball Association
Episode: What’s Next For Adam Silver’s NBA?
Connor Schell
Created the 30 for 30 series with Bill Simmons
Words and Pictures
Episode: The Passion of Saint Nick
Aaron Cohen
Chief Content Officer, Words and Pictures
Words and Pictures
Episode: The Passion of Saint Nick
Andy Johnson
Founder of Friday Golf
Friday Golf
Episode: Golf’s Rolapp Revolution
Andrew Marchand
Sports media reporter for The Athletic and host of his own podcast
The Athletic / andrewmarchand.com
Episode: The NFL’s Ratings Slump & PGA Tour’s New Swing

Host

John Ourand
Host of The Varsity, sports business journalist with deep ties to Puck and The Varsity; frequently negotiates and analyzes major media deals.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 112 ratings
  • Annie Constable

    Love the pod… but Annie was horrible.

    And not the cats.

    Audio mix had them talking over each other without hearing the other speaking.

    Says “yeah” like she’s 18yo. Batting 100⁉️

    100% vs Batting 1000.

    Obviously not versed in other sports just stays in her WNBA lane.

    Unfortunately, just didn’t add any insight to anything that I’ve already heard over the last three weeks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CGK in PDX
    United States3 months ago
  • Listen to most shows

    Most guests are great that soccer guy last week was insufferable. I enjoy Marchand they have great chemistry. His vocal fry voice is annoying, and the amount of background noise in last show made me turn it off. I enjoy the content being delivered on a Sunday morning.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Big Dan Howgate
    United States5 months ago
  • F McAfee

    This is not a slight on the show but more on this episodes content and opinions, mostly that McaHack is the future of sports entertainment. He and his antics represent everything that is WRONG with where sports is going. You DON’t give him more of a platform, you take him off it, because he has no journalistic integrity, his schtick is beyond cliche and he has the most grating voice I’ve ever heard. I don’t watch ESPN anymore because of this direction. Go BACK to the way it was We don’t want to ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    quikoni
    United Statesa year ago
  • Not Interested

    John we aren’t interested in hearing anti- Trump diatribes from your guests. CBS put their thumb on the scale with the KH interview

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SamimSissel
    United Statesa year ago
  • Eamon Lynch was great

    I recently enjoyed your podcast with Eamon Lynch. It gave me a better understanding of what is going on with the PGA tour and LIV golf right now. You do a great job as I have enjoyed your podcast going back to the first one. It is one of my favorite ones to listen to each week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mattmanfan
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates practical, real-world insights into rights and deals.
Guests are consistently high-caliber with deep industry access.
Feedback notes some shows have strong takes but occasionally polarizing opinions.
Chemistry between hosts and guests is a strong point for engaging interviews.
Listeners value the insider perspective and executive-level context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jay Bilas’s NCAA Gospel
Q: What happens to college sports? What are the next steps if this doesn't become law?
Bilas says the NCAA can continue lobbying for legislation or govern itself within existing law. He favors the NCAA getting its house in order and complying with laws such as the Sherman Antitrust Act and Title IX.
Jay Bilas’s NCAA Gospel
Q: If you were in charge of, I guess, the NCAA, what are changes that you would like to see made to the college game that you think would be realistic to implement?
Bilas would treat college sports as major professional sports, remove restrictions that are not needed for competition, retain rules of play and full-time student eligibility, and let schools pay athletes directly and negotiate multi-year contracts.
Is Netflix About To Go Big On Sports?
Q: If you're a league that has rights, does this move make you happy? Does it put up a red flag?
Fischer says leagues assess how much Netflix needs their rights and what it can pay. If Peter Rice's entertainment strategy improves subscriber growth and engagement, Netflix may need sports less; if it struggles, the company may lean further into live sports.
Is Netflix About To Go Big On Sports?
Q: What do you think her mark on Netflix is? If people look at the Bela Bajaria era, what is that going to signify?
Fischer says Netflix expanded localized programming under Bajaria while shifting away from a prestige-programming emphasis toward broader, mass-market entertainment. Bajaria also led Netflix's move into live programming and sports.
Should Netflix Buy NBCU?
Q: Under Bela, Netflix has the eventize, is the word we always use. How do you see that approach changing?
Supino expects Netflix to move over time from one-off sports events toward full-season rights, which can generate repeat visits and keep subscribers engaged year-round. He also says a broad sports portfolio may require acquisitions or partnerships.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Varsity

What is The Varsity about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, insider-focused look at the business of sports media and entertainment. Episodes consistently explore shifting rights economics, the rise of digital and influencer-driven content, and how traditional leagues, networks, and platforms navigate cord-cutting, streaming, and eventization. Interviews with top executives, agents, and industry observers uncover dealmaking tactics, talent strategy, and the evolving relationship between owners, athletes, and media partners. The show often highlights real-world implications for negotiations, branding, and content strategy, with practical takeaways for listeners ranging from agents and marketers to sponsors and platforms. Notable for its candid access to executive suites and a strong emphasis ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Varsity?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Varsity:

1. The Sports Media Podcast
2. Sports Media with Richard Deitsch
3. Traina Thoughts
4. The Grill Room
5. The Powers That Be: Daily

How many episodes of The Varsity are there?

The Varsity launched 2 years ago and published 235 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Varsity?

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What guests have appeared on The Varsity?

Recent guests on The Varsity include:

1. Peter Supino
2. Sara Fischer
3. Jay Bilas
4. Greg Wyshynski
5. Adam Silver
6. Connor Schell
7. Aaron Cohen
8. Andy Johnson

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