John Ourand
@ourand.bsky.social
📤 2788
📥 79
📝 365
Sports Correspondent, Puck
The NFL's negotiations for new media deals starts...now.
puck.news/how-david-el...
loading . . .
Will David Ellison Remake the NFL Market?
When David Ellison plunked down $7.7 billion for UFC rights last fall, he may have inadvertently started another feeding frenzy. If he’d pay that much for MMA, what would he be willing to pay for the ...
https://puck.news/how-david-ellison-could-reset-the-market-for-nfl-rights/
1 day ago
0
0
0
First up for the NFL's rights renewals: Paramount.
puck.news/how-david-el...
loading . . .
Will David Ellison Remake the NFL Market?
When David Ellison plunked down $7.7 billion for UFC rights last fall, he may have inadvertently started another feeding frenzy. If he’d pay that much for MMA, what would he be willing to pay for the ...
https://puck.news/how-david-ellison-could-reset-the-market-for-nfl-rights/
2 days ago
0
0
0
New pod: Everything you need to know about the NFL's upcoming media rights negotiations, with Guggenheim's Mike Morris.
open.spotify.com/episode/5AQ6...
loading . . .
Can ParaBros Keep the NFL?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5AQ6W3ZYiFR1IqH4Du63ka
3 days ago
0
1
1
New pod: Guggenheim's Michael Morris breaks down the NFL's upcoming media deals from a Wall St. perspective.
open.spotify.com/episode/5AQ6...
loading . . .
Can ParaBros Keep the NFL?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5AQ6W3ZYiFR1IqH4Du63ka
4 days ago
0
0
0
In a football world, the Big 12 has made basketball a large focus to stay competitive with its Power Four peers. Now that the undervaluing of college basketball is a fashionable talking point, maybe he was onto something.
puck.news/is-college-b...
loading . . .
Brett Yormark’s Hoop Dreams
In a football world, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has made basketball a large focus of his efforts to keep his conference competitive with its Power Four peers. Now that the undervaluing of colle...
https://puck.news/is-college-basketball-undervalued/
5 days ago
0
0
0
reposted by
John Ourand
New pod: We're almost 100 days out from the start of the Fifa World Cup, so who better to bring to The Varsity than
@meninblazers.bsky.social
's
@rogbennett.bsky.social
?
open.spotify.com/show/29gVYfR...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/show/29gVYfRVXFLkrIJFfoojSK
6 days ago
0
2
1
New pod: We're almost 100 days out from the start of the Fifa World Cup, so who better to bring to The Varsity than
@meninblazers.bsky.social
's
@rogbennett.bsky.social
?
open.spotify.com/show/29gVYfR...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/show/29gVYfRVXFLkrIJFfoojSK
6 days ago
0
2
1
Top sports execs from the Cowboys, Cavaliers, Inter Miami, Timberwolves, Clippers (and more!) will be called to testify as the U.S. government opens its trial against Live Nation on Monday, per
@eriqgardner.bsky.social
. The latest news in The Varsity:
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
Sports and the Live Nation Trial & TKO’s Sky Writing
Feb 26, 2026 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity. Today, we turn our main event over to Bill Cohan, who, earlier this week in Dry Powder, analyzed why Netflix had to stand down in the wake of Para...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/sports-and-the-live-nation-trial-tkos-sky-writing/
9 days ago
0
0
0
TKO’s Zuffa Boxing is on the precipice of a media rights deal with Sky Sports for the U.K. market. The latest news in The Varsity:
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
Sports and the Live Nation Trial & TKO’s Sky Writing
Feb 26, 2026 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity. Today, we turn our main event over to Bill Cohan, who, earlier this week in Dry Powder, analyzed why Netflix had to stand down in the wake of Para...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/sports-and-the-live-nation-trial-tkos-sky-writing/
9 days ago
0
0
0
New pod:
@andrewmarchand.bsky.social
returns to gab about MLB media rights, ESPN's Sunday night strategy and NBC's Olympic performance.
open.spotify.com/episode/4Tv0...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Tv09xRLquI20s7rFtFeCW
10 days ago
0
1
0
New pod: Jay Bilas offers a spirited defense for the state of college basketball.
open.spotify.com/episode/3RL9...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RL9qSk5nasotKwFZTEtYz
13 days ago
0
0
0
The Varsity * New MLBPA head ready for a lockout. * Monumental Sports Net lays off five staffers. * NASCAR chief Steve O'Donnell: "Could we introduce midweek races and shorten the season? All of that is on the table."
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
NFL Price Predictions, MLB Lockout Odds & Jordan’s NASCAR Hot Streak
Feb 19, 2026 John Ourand Welcome to The Varsity. I’m still in D.C., but I have my eyes on Washington State, where the Super Bowl–champion Seattle Seahawks are officially for sale and expected to fetch...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/nfl-price-predictions-mlb-lockout-odds-jordans-nascar-hot-streak/
15 days ago
1
0
0
New pod:
@cbrennansports.bsky.social
on the biggest storylines coming out of the Winter Olympics.
open.spotify.com/episode/783d...
loading . . .
Olympics Politics & LA28’s Epstein Problem
https://open.spotify.com/episode/783dNe4It8iGVz0UFBcDjt
17 days ago
1
1
0
New pod: NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell on steering the motorsport’s high-stakes future.
open.spotify.com/episode/59cg...
loading . . .
NASCAR’s Roadmap to Victory Lane
https://open.spotify.com/episode/59cgTR5teWHMpYDDDVywzk
20 days ago
0
0
0
The Varsity * NFL will start its season on a Wednesday this year, either in Melbourne or Seattle. * Disney opens its Super Bowl ad sales pitch to the entire market on Monday. *
@benjstrauss.bsky.social
on what it was like to be WaPo reporter at this year's Super Bowl.
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
The NBA Star Crisis, ESPN’s Super Bowl LXI Ad Blitz & A Wasserman Defector
Feb 12, 2026 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity. I’m in Los Angeles, where the NBA All-Star Game festivities are about to enter full swing. The league is hitting its annual break with a ton of fi...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/the-nba-star-crisis-espns-super-bowl-lxi-ad-blitz-a-wasserman-defector/
22 days ago
1
1
0
New pod: former WaPo reporter
@benjstrauss.bsky.social
on paper’s mass layoffs...plus all the sports media news you can use.
open.spotify.com/episode/4pvE...
loading . . .
NFL’s New TV Order
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4pvEcNrk92Jg1MzkmPGqiF
24 days ago
0
2
2
The Varsity * Super Bowl ratings coming Tuesday afternoon. Here's why I predicted a slight drop. * We could be beginning the Great Rebundling. * The NFL should start new CBA negotiations once the NFLPA settles on a new executive director, per
@profootballtalk.bsky.social
.
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
Goodell’s Box Mates, Super Bowl Ratings Odds & The NFL’s Global Impediments
Feb 9, 2026 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity. I’m John Ourand, still in Santa Clara following a feel-good Super Bowl week for the country’s biggest sports league—one that’s about to get even bi...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/goodells-box-mates-super-bowl-ratings-odds-the-nfls-global-impediments/
25 days ago
1
0
0
reposted by
John Ourand
René Bugner
25 days ago
"The NFL is going to auction off a package of four international games that the league took back from NFL Network." Later in the podcast, John made Mike Florio cry. (That was a heartwarming moment. Thank you, Mike and John!) đź’š
add a skeleton here at some point
0
3
1
New pod: Mike Florio (
@profootballtalk.bsky.social
) on the biggest issues facing the NFL.
open.spotify.com/episode/07rF...
loading . . .
Any Given Sunday With Mike Florio
https://open.spotify.com/episode/07rFiFILuVY5GLOYegZgnZ
27 days ago
0
0
1
reposted by
John Ourand
New pod: Top NFL exec Jeff Miller on the league’s ESPN deal, the use of A.I. in player health and safety and why the Rooney Rule fell flat this hiring cycle.
open.spotify.com/episode/6Cun...
loading . . .
Super Bowl LX Soliloquies
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6CunCeuGtb6E7g1xIh1AE5
about 1 month ago
0
1
1
New pod: Top NFL exec Jeff Miller on the league’s ESPN deal, the use of A.I. in player health and safety and why the Rooney Rule fell flat this hiring cycle.
open.spotify.com/episode/6Cun...
loading . . .
Super Bowl LX Soliloquies
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6CunCeuGtb6E7g1xIh1AE5
about 1 month ago
0
1
1
reposted by
John Ourand
* Is ESPN is worth nearly 3x Paramount Skydance? * Amazon outspending other streamers on global sports rights. * Are the Cowboys valued at $20B? * Topics at Goodell presser: Rooney Rule, Epstein files. * Adam Schein to host YouTube show for New York Post/California Post.
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
R.I.P. Main Street, Jerry Jones Succession & ESPN’s $30B Question
Feb 2, 2026 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity, live from San Francisco at the start of Super Bowl week. The NFL is obviously in a great place right now—you saw those Netflix numbers—but that doe...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/rip-main-street-jerry-jones-succession-espns-30b-question/
about 1 month ago
1
1
3
* Is ESPN is worth nearly 3x Paramount Skydance? * Amazon outspending other streamers on global sports rights. * Are the Cowboys valued at $20B? * Topics at Goodell presser: Rooney Rule, Epstein files. * Adam Schein to host YouTube show for New York Post/California Post.
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
R.I.P. Main Street, Jerry Jones Succession & ESPN’s $30B Question
Feb 2, 2026 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity, live from San Francisco at the start of Super Bowl week. The NFL is obviously in a great place right now—you saw those Netflix numbers—but that doe...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/rip-main-street-jerry-jones-succession-espns-30b-question/
about 1 month ago
1
1
3
Main Street Sports’ wind-down this spring will cap the slow-motion decline of a certain type of local sports deal. As the market resets, is there any future for the regional sports model?
puck.news/inside-the-s...
loading . . .
Requiem for an R.S.N. Dream
Main Street Sports’s wind-down this spring will cap the slow-motion decline of a certain type of local sports deal. As teams look to their respective leagues for safety, and the market resets, is ther...
https://puck.news/inside-the-slow-motion-collapse-of-main-street-sports/
about 1 month ago
0
1
1
New pod: A Super Bowl preview with the great
@dvnjr.bsky.social
. Topics include: Belichick, Kraft and the Hall of Fame; the NFL’s push to 18 games; NFLPA politics; Jerry Jones’ succession plans; and, of course, the Washington Post.
open.spotify.com/episode/2QWE...
loading . . .
Belichick’s H.O.F. Snub & Jerry Jones Succession Questions
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2QWEPm9zdxxa0AQTEqDUVe
about 1 month ago
0
4
3
The Varsity * WaPo analysis: "This never ends well." * Peacock shows signs of life. * Poll: online sportsbooks have a 40% unfavorable rating. * Why doesn't TikTok do more live sports? * 45% of people who got Netflix for NFL games in 2024 still subscribed a year later.
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
The Belichick Snub, Main Street’s Manic Monday & Netflix’s Merry Christmas
Jan 29, 2026 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity, from our nation’s still-icy capital. The next time you hear from me, I’ll be on-site at the country’s biggest sports business trade show: Super Bo...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/the-belichick-snub-main-streets-manic-monday-netflixs-merry-christmas/
about 1 month ago
0
0
0
Embattled Main Street Sports owns local rights to 29 teams across three leagues, but it’s running out of money and options in its quest to stay afloat. Despite whispers of a mystery investor, a Monday deadline looms. Teams and leagues are ready to flee.
puck.news/will-anyone-...
loading . . .
Exile From Main Street
The embattled R.S.N. Main Street Sports owns local rights to 29 teams across three leagues, but it’s running out of money and options in its quest to stay afloat. Despite whispers of a mystery investo...
https://puck.news/will-anyone-buy-main-street-sports/
about 1 month ago
0
1
0
New pod:
@axios.com
's
@sarafischer.bsky.social
on the biggest media biz storylines: * Washington Post * WBD–Netflix * TikTok * Peacock
open.spotify.com/episode/2jOE...
loading . . .
The WaPo Reckoning & TikTok’s Next Act
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jOEAdvAzrrrpo5nCfwbBe
about 1 month ago
0
1
0
WaPo cuts, which could affect up to 300 employees, are the culmination of a two-year effort by CEO Will Lewis to transform the paper. Lewis will focus on a few core coverage areas—national security, politics, etcetera—and not sports. My story with
@dylanbyers.bsky.social
:
puck.news/why-the-wash...
loading . . .
The WaPo Extinction Event
The Washington Post cuts, which could affect as many as 300 employees in total, according to sources, are the culmination of a two-year effort by C.E.O. Will Lewis to fundamentally transform the paper...
https://puck.news/why-the-washington-post-is-killing-its-sports-desk/
about 1 month ago
0
0
2
New pod: The perils of sports betting, with Washington Post contributor
@dannyfunt.bsky.social
. Danny's book, "Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling," published last week.
open.spotify.com/episode/7g3Q...
loading . . .
When Sports Media Marries the Sportsbook
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7g3QrLWL4h1sCxTKOVdDh0
about 1 month ago
1
0
0
Assessing a full slate of football-related cases approaching their day in court. * Duke v Darian Mensah * The NFL Sunday Ticket class action anti-trust case * Brian Flores’s potential Supreme Court case * Jon Gruden v the NFL and * Heather McPhee’s lawsuit against the NFLPA
puck.news/nfl-supreme-...
loading . . .
The People v. Darian Mensah
Assessing Brian Flores’s unresolved discrimination case and a full slate of other football-related lawsuits approaching their day in court with Eriq Gardner, Puck’s resident legal expert.
https://puck.news/nfl-supreme-court-watch-sunday-ticket-brian-flores-cases-loom/
about 1 month ago
0
2
0
New pod:
@andrewmarchand.bsky.social
returns to outline the state of sports media as the NFL, MLB and World Cup come to market with their rights.
open.spotify.com/episode/5O79...
loading . . .
Marchand on the NFL’s Media Chessboard
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5O79MP21ySNaSAiBscJW8n
about 2 months ago
0
1
0
New pod:
@theathletic.com
's
@evandrellich.bsky.social
on what MLB's offseason tells us about the sport's coming labor battle.
open.spotify.com/episode/02yA...
loading . . .
MLB’s Dodger Economics
https://open.spotify.com/episode/02yAu9bQZt7NqOwSGuSXBj
about 2 months ago
0
1
1
The ESPY Awards are moving back to New York and will be held the day before Fanatics Fest starts this July...setting up sports version of Fashion Week in Gotham.
puck.news/how-fanatics...
loading . . .
The ESPYs White Party
ESPN is moving the ESPYs, its moribund 33-year-old awards franchise, to New York, sandwiched between MLB’s All-Star Game and Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Fest. It’s a savvy play.
https://puck.news/how-fanatics-studios-is-revamping-the-espys/
about 2 months ago
0
1
0
New pod: OBB Media's Michael Ratner breaks down Fanatics Studios—his new joint venture with Michael Rubin’s Fanatics—and offers his read on the future of sports media.
open.spotify.com/episode/2xr5...
loading . . .
Inside Ratner and Rubin’s Fanatics Content Factory
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xr5o1rAr2bs9xkeQafLGB
about 2 months ago
0
0
0
reposted by
John Ourand
New pod: NCAA president Charlie Baker on the top issues facing college sports: the chaos of the transfer portal, the accelerated professionalization of college athletics, and why Congress may need to step in to impose uniform eligibility rules.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
loading . . .
Inside the NCAA’s Moneyball Era
Podcast Episode · The Varsity · 01/11/2026 · 47m
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-ncaas-moneyball-era/id1762692129?i=1000744661050
about 2 months ago
1
1
2
New pod: NCAA president Charlie Baker on the top issues facing college sports: the chaos of the transfer portal, the accelerated professionalization of college athletics, and why Congress may need to step in to impose uniform eligibility rules.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
loading . . .
Inside the NCAA’s Moneyball Era
Podcast Episode · The Varsity · 01/11/2026 · 47m
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-ncaas-moneyball-era/id1762692129?i=1000744661050
about 2 months ago
1
1
2
New pod: NBCU's top ad sales exec Mark Marshall on NBC selling out all advertising already for the Winter Olympics, the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star Game. Some 30-second Super Bowl spots eclipsed $10 million for the first time. Listen here:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
loading . . .
Inside NBC’s Sports-Ad Olympics
Podcast Episode · The Varsity · 01/07/2026 · 47m
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-nbcs-sports-ad-olympics/id1762692129?i=1000744094184
about 2 months ago
0
0
0
Sources tell me that Mark Silverman is stepping down as Fox Sports President and COO after an eight-year run. He's going to remain on as a consultant.
2 months ago
1
1
1
reposted by
John Ourand
New pod: The
@nytimes.com
's Ken Belson on how private equity and big money have turned youth athletics into a sprawling $40 billion ecosystem.
open.spotify.com/episode/6SIB...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SIBPDHtDTi0PmmBPT5GvI
2 months ago
0
2
1
New pod: The
@nytimes.com
's Ken Belson on how private equity and big money have turned youth athletics into a sprawling $40 billion ecosystem.
open.spotify.com/episode/6SIB...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SIBPDHtDTi0PmmBPT5GvI
2 months ago
0
2
1
Pod: MoffettNathanson’s Michael Nathanson previews the biggest sports media storylines for 2026. Can the bundle really make a comeback?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=keSC...
loading . . .
YouTube’s Sports Takeover & More ’26 Predictions
YouTube video by NESN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keSC6aa0BA0
2 months ago
0
1
0
New pod: MoffettNathanson founder and analyst Michael Nathanson previews the biggest sports media storylines for 2026. Can the bundle really make a comeback?
open.spotify.com/episode/7rMe...
loading . . .
YouTube’s Sports Takeover & More ’26 Predictions
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7rMeOm92CZt4WJ6KJQvDKS
2 months ago
0
1
0
reposted by
John Ourand
New pod:
@andrewmarchand.bsky.social
joins to bestow a slew of end-of-year awards.
open.spotify.com/episode/1w8C...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1w8Cc3zw7eMsaR2QrUG3JD
2 months ago
0
0
1
New pod:
@andrewmarchand.bsky.social
joins to bestow a slew of end-of-year awards.
open.spotify.com/episode/1w8C...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1w8Cc3zw7eMsaR2QrUG3JD
2 months ago
0
0
1
New pod: NBC's
@nauerbach.com
on the state of college football from the CFP and the end of the ND-USC rivalry to Big Ten-SEC infighting and the financial strain on athletic departments.
open.spotify.com/episode/7LLm...
loading . . .
The CFP Expansion That Wasn’t
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LLmDSs4bMMurCNDowVUxz
2 months ago
0
0
0
Pod: Top Netflix exec describes the streamer's sports strategy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD19...
loading . . .
Netflix's VP of Sports Talks Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua + Their Anti-ESPN Thesis || The Varsity Pod
YouTube video by NESN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD19s20fVFQ
2 months ago
0
1
0
The Varsity * The reasons USC-Notre Dame is on hold. * Guggenheim is bullish on Fox. * NBA and Fiba will start talks on NBA Europe next month. * Paramount and Netflix November ratings soar. * WBD deal flow: Allen & Co/JPMorgan Chase get $85M each. Evercore’s fee is $55M.
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
USC’s Irish Exit, Fox’s New Friends & Why Netflix Was Really in Miami
Dec 22, 2025 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity. I’m John Ourand, back in D.C. for Christmas week. Here’s to a great holiday season for all of Varsity nation! On account of the holiday, this will...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/uscs-irish-exit-foxs-new-friends-why-netflix-was-really-in-miami/
2 months ago
1
0
0
New pod: Netflix's Gabe Spitzer on the streamer's sports strategy.
open.spotify.com/episode/5HZF...
loading . . .
Spotify – Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HZF3leakW5oDYnLGGhTSU
3 months ago
0
0
0
The Varsity * ESPN renews Heisman rights. * NFL sent mediacos RFPs for Australian game. * The Bowls are good business for TV. * It’s fair to question YouTube's interest in live sports. * Netflix’s podcast strategy seems a little more iffy than YouTube’s Oscars bet.
puck.news/newsletter_c...
loading . . .
The Next LeBron, ESPN’s Heisman Deal & The NFL Down Under
Dec 18, 2025 John Ourand Welcome back to The Varsity. I’m John Ourand, in Miami to see Netflix’s eventizing in real time. Tomorrow, the streamer will produce the Jake Paul–Anthony Joshua fight from th...
https://puck.news/newsletter_content/the-next-lebron-espns-heisman-deal-the-nfl-down-under/
3 months ago
1
1
0
Load more
feeds!
log in