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The Varsity

Puck | Audacy
ESPN
NBC
NBA
NFL
Olympics
Tom Brady
WNBA
Sports Media
Lacrosse
Paris
Adrian Wojnarowski
Streaming Services
Cable Bundles
Premier Lacrosse League
Leadership Quality
Snoop Dogg
Directv
Warner Brothers Discovery
Youth Sports
Tokyo

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 weeklyEpisodes136Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSports NewsBusiness News

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Latest Episodes

NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry—also the founder of Fantasy Life—returns to the pod to chew over the biggest forces reshaping sports media, from A.I.’s slow commoditization of editorial talent to which major league is most likely to fall behind in the spor... more

Axios’s Sara Fischer rejoins the pod for a rundown of the sports world’s biggest shakeups—from the YouTube TV-Disney standoff and YouTube TV’s crafty deals with Fox and NBCUniversal to the NWSL’s growing pains and the looming Warner Bros. Discovery f... more

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman joins John to discuss the league’s boom times—from surging TV ratings and record-breaking crowds to the league’s ubiquitous media strategy and upcoming expansion into Boston, Denver, and Atlanta—and why the forthcomin... more

Steve Bornstein, the architect behind both ESPN’s golden age and the launch of NFL Network, joins John to remember the late, great Paul Tagliabue—the commissioner who helped turn football into a billion-dollar religion. Bornstein also offers a season... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Steve Bornstein
Former President of ESPN and NFL Media, key figure in NFL media rights negotiations.
NFL, ESPN
Episode: Steve Bornstein’s NFL Gospel
Hans Schroeder
The NFL's top media executive and a veteran in NFL media deals.
NFL
Episode: Hans Schroeder’s NFL Media Huddle
Julia Alexander
A colleague at Puck's media podcast, The Grill Room, knowledgeable about streaming business
Puck
Episode: Disney vs. YouTube & Nielsen’s New Math
Michael Rubin
Founder of Fanatics, known for transforming the sports merchandise industry.
Fanatics
Episode: Rubin’s Fanatics Formula
Josh Harris
Founder of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Commanders.
Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment
Episode: The Josh Harris Owner’s Manual
Ken Belson
Longtime sports business reporter for The New York Times and author of "Every Day is Sunday".
The New York Times
Episode: Is the NFL Unstoppable?
Greg Wyshynski
A sports journalist and NHL insider
Puck
Episode: NHL Rinkside Revelations
Cody Campbell
Billionaire behind the Save College Sports campaign and former NFL player.
Episode: Can a Billionaire Former NFL Player Fix College Sports?
Sara Fischer
A great media reporter from Axios with insights into ESPN's operations and the sports media landscape.
Axios
Episode: ESPN’s D.T.C. Blitz

Host

John Ourand
Host of The Varsity; Sports correspondent with a focus on delivering deep insights into the sports business.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 92 ratings
  • 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 States6 months 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 States8 months ago
  • Netflix

    Didn’t the first game start 2 hours late? 1pm start time pushed to just before 3pm?!

    Great pod.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    LBJ503
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good sports media podcast. I enjoyed John's prior podcast that he did with Andrew Marchand prior to joining Puck. Good long form interviews.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    EricNC
    a year ago
  • What a rolodex!

    Everybody who’s anybody in sports business seems to come on this podcast—commissioners, top media executives, well known personalities. And I can understand why. These are great interviews. Ourand started with Peyton Manning, and the guest quality hasn’t dropped one bit since.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sports Biz Fan
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners express concern over political biases in certain discussions, indicating mixed feedback on guest selections.
Hosts conduct thorough and engaging interviews with a diverse range of experts.
Great insight into sports business and media.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Steve Bornstein’s NFL Gospel
Q: When you think of Paul Tagliabue, what do you think of?
He was incredibly intelligent, eloquent, and humble, embodying qualities that one would want their children to have.
Steve Bornstein’s NFL Gospel
Q: How do you expect the NFL Network to change with its relationship with ESPN?
I hope it gets better, increasing resources to do more things, as singular networks face challenges in today's media environment.
Hans Schroeder’s NFL Media Huddle
Q: Why did you like the deal with ESPN?
It was a win-win that strengthens NFL Network and expands its distribution while keeping it available on NFL Plus.
Hans Schroeder’s NFL Media Huddle
Q: What have you learned from Netflix and from Thursday Night Football and YouTube this year?
There's nothing from a fan's perspective that feels different; it feels like a first-class NFL game.
Disney vs. YouTube & Nielsen’s New Math
Q: What are your predictions on the outcome of these negotiations?
Predictions indicate that a deal will be reached soon, as both sides need to address how significant Disney's content is to YouTube TV.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Varsity

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

This podcast features in-depth discussions on the intersections of sports, media, and business, with a strong emphasis on the transitions and challenges facing the industry. Topics frequently explored include the integration of streaming services in sports broadcasting, evolving viewer habits, and the impact of major league shifts in management and ownership. The format offers insights not only from sports journalists but also from executive insiders, providing a comprehensive view of the current sports landscape. Noteworthy guests range from sports columnists and network executives to industry analysts, showcasing diverse perspectives and substantial expertise. The two weekly episodes ensure timely discussions on emerging trends and signif... more

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How many listeners does The Varsity get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Varsity have?

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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 a year ago and published 136 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. Steve Bornstein
2. Hans Schroeder
3. Julia Alexander
4. Michael Rubin
5. Josh Harris
6. Ken Belson
7. Greg Wyshynski
8. Cody Campbell

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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