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The Varsity

Puck | Audacy
NFL
ESPN
Streaming Services
NBA
Netflix
NIL
College Sports
Major League Baseball
NASCAR
World Cup
MLB
Disney
Media Rights
NBC
Sports Media
Women's Sports
Fox Sports
Amazon
NCAA
Major League Soccer

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 weeklyEpisodes217Founded2 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Longtime Sports Illustrated columnist Jimmy Traina joins the pod to discuss why he left the publication after 20-plus years and what to expect from his move to Underscore Media. Jimmy and John also highlight some of the sports media trends they’re mo... more

Mark Ein, a veteran investor with stakes in the Commanders, Orioles, and Leeds United, joins John to trace his path from World Team Tennis owner to NFL minority owner. Ein breaks down why franchise valuations keep shattering records (hint: AI wealth)... more

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, who broke last week’s big news about the LA Lakers, joins John to walk through how the $12.5 billion deal came together practically overnight. The two dig into the NBA’s exploding franchise valuations, what kind of owner Iger... more

John sits down with Guggenheim's Mike Morris to unpack the NFL's media rights maze and outline some worst case scenarios for the Sunday Ticket lawsuit. The pair dig into why the cable bundle still prints money, Netflix's math on Sunday football, and ... more

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Recent Guests

Gideon Cohen
Talent agent, senior executive at Athletes First
Athletes First
Episode: Netflix’s NFL Booth & CBS’s Romo Conundrum
Annie Costabile
WNBA reporter for The Athletic with a background in sports business
The Athletic
Episode: Can the WNBA Survive Its Own Success?
JT Batson
President/CEO of US Soccer (Secretary General)
US Soccer Federation
Episode: Has the U.S. Finally Fallen in Love with Soccer?
Eriq Gardner
Puck sports-law columnist who writes The Varsity private email
Puck
Episode: Caught Stealing… The View?
Michael Ratner
CEO of Fanatics Studios
Fanatics
Episode: Fanatically Speaking
Lance Fensterman
CEO of Fanatics Events
Fanatics
Episode: Fanatically Speaking
Uzma Dowler
Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Global Corporate Partnerships at MLB
MLB
Episode: Fanatically Speaking
Steven Cahall
Wells Fargo Securities media analyst
Wells Fargo Securities
Episode: Can Linear TV Actually Afford More NFL?
Christian Genetski
President and CEO of FanDuel
FanDuel
Episode: FanDuel’s Next Gamble

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 108 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 States21 days 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 States3 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 States8 months 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 Statesa year 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.

A ’26 NFL Off-Field Season Preview
Q: What's the status and potential impact of Tony Romo's situation on broadcasting talent?
Romo's arrest and leave of absence create immediate uncertainty around the number one announcing team; networks may pivot to other star names like JJ Watt or Troy Aikman, depending on contracts and market reception, with implications for Week 1 and beyond.
A ’26 NFL Off-Field Season Preview
Q: What could be the most disruptive development this season in terms of media rights?
The ongoing Sunday Ticket litigation and potential shifts in how games are packaged could cause major upheaval, including possible regionalized or restructured broadcasting approaches depending on the court ruling and network responses.
A ’26 NFL Off-Field Season Preview
Q: In terms of off-the-field topics, what do you prioritize right now?
Florio explains that there is always a new off-field issue each week, with big ones like the Sunday Ticket case taking center stage, while many smaller items drift in and out of focus until a decisive development occurs.
Is the A.I. Arms Race Coming for Sports?
Q: What are the likely concessions or pathways for Paramount if the deal is challenged?
Concessions have already occurred in Europe (UIP) and the discussion centers on whether the American side can be solved through divestitures or by reframing the deal, though selling a studio is not feasible; the overall argument is that the deal could be feasible if the court decides in their favor and reduces antitrust concerns.
Is the A.I. Arms Race Coming for Sports?
Q: What's your timetable on this?
The timeline hinges on the court case; arguments will unfold, and they hope the judge can resolve things before the potential 2027 date, with clear milestones around when the court reaches a decision.

Audience Metrics

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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. SI Media With Jimmy Traina
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 217 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. Gideon Cohen
2. Annie Costabile
3. JT Batson
4. Eriq Gardner
5. Michael Ratner
6. Lance Fensterman
7. Uzma Dowler
8. Steven Cahall

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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