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John Ourand & Eriq Gardner
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Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (Thursday is an Inner Circle exclusive)
A professional-grade rundown on the business of sports from John Ourand, the industry’s preeminent journalist, covering the leagues, players, agencies, media deals, and the egos fueling it all. Plus, the latest intel from Eriq Gardner on the sports legal beat.
THE LATEST ARTICLES
John Ourand
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June 2, 2026
The Magnus Carta
ESPN’s indomitable content chief, Burke Magnus, on losing talent to the NBA sidelines, the heat around the NHL, and what he learns from the way his kids watch sports.
Sankey Is From Mars, Petitti Is From Venus
The commissioners of college sports’ two biggest conferences have thrown a stray shot or two at each other this spring over the College Football Playoff. But as just about everyone acknowledges, they both know they’ll have to be much more aligned to tackle the myriad issues they face.
John Ourand
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May 26, 2026
The Optimist’s Case for the UFC and F1 Megadeals
Wolfe Research analyst Peter Supino offers up his candid thoughts and surprising bull case for Paramount’s UFC deal and F1’s partnership with Apple—and why the mega-trend media universe keeps gravitating toward superstars.
Netflix’s 17 Seconds in Heaven
Obviously, the short-lived Rousey–Carano title fight wasn’t the ideal scenario for Netflix’s M.M.A. debut. But it also wasn’t a refutation of the streamer’s “eventized” sports content strategy.
John Ourand
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May 19, 2026
How Much Is Too Much for a Super Bowl Commercial?
Horizon Media’s Adam Schwartz on the amplifying value of a Super Bowl ad, MLB’s events strategy, and why the 30-second spot is still the backbone of television advertising.
Here’s Gianni…
The World Cup’s descent on North America has been greeted by the typical grab bag of micro-scandals and preemptive complaints. In their private group chats, though, top industry executives don’t really care—they’ve seen this film before, and they’re convinced they are about to make stacks of cash.
John Ourand
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May 12, 2026
Private Equity, Everywhere, All at Once
SC Holdings’ Jason Stein on the private-equity money gusher flooding the sports world, the commercialization of the NCAA, and why he (and LeBron and Draymond and K.D.) are still bullish on pickleball.
More Netflix-NFL Footsie & Deal Extensionitis
News and notes on the latest machinations surrounding the NFL’s highly coveted, obscenely expensive rights packages.
John Ourand
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May 5, 2026
The Lax Gospel of Paul
A candid conversation with Paul Rabil about how his buzzy 8-year-old Premier Lacrosse League is accelerating growth and preparing for LA28.
Soccer’s Next Don
With commissioner Don Garber’s quarter-century-plus tenure coming to an end next year (or sooner!), MLS has contracted executive headhunters to embark on a sprawling replacement search. A few well-known names have emerged as early targets—but with big-growth ambitions, they’d better get it right.