John Ourand • April 22, 2024

Silver’s Spoons

As it turns out, the NBA did a whole lot more negotiating with ESPN and WBD during their exclusive rights window, which expires tonight, and now they appear closer than ever to a deal. As the clock strikes 12, the heat is on NBCU, Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube.

John Ourand • April 18, 2024

ESPN’s Norby Replacement Rodeo

Shockingly, given its traditional insularity and promote-from-within culture, ESPN is looking externally to replace Norby Williamson. And I’ve got names that should be on the list…

John Ourand • April 16, 2024

Of Mice and R.S.N.s

Another setback looms for Diamond Sports as it heads into its latest bankruptcy court hearing: DirecTV and Comcast are going full-blown “cliff path.”

John Ourand • April 12, 2024

As I Lay Diamond

News and notes on the most famous bankruptcy restructuring in the history of regional sports networks.

John Ourand • April 9, 2024

Norby or Not to Be

Inside the drama surrounding the Bristol defenestration.

John Ourand • April 4, 2024

The NFL Paramount Deal Sweetener

David Ellison may be most interested in Paramount’s Hollywood studio, and I.P. that he views as underutilized. But he also sees value in the broadcast network, thanks mainly to that NFL deal.

John Ourand • April 2, 2024

Give Me Liberty

Nearly a decade after transforming F1 into a juggernaut, John Malone’s Liberty Media is looking to employ the same makeover on its newest multibillion-dollar portfolio toy, MotoGP.

John Ourand • March 28, 2024

The Adam Project

Decoding the clandestine NBA rights auction.

John Ourand • March 25, 2024

Preschlack in the Sky with Diamond

After rescuing Diamond Sports Group from bankruptcy, C.E.O. David Preschlack now faces the unenviable task of cutting deals with various cable providers and leagues to satisfy the courts that this thing is a going concern. Here, for the first time, he chatted candidly about his burden.

Eriq Gardner • March 25, 2024

The Man Who Broke the NCAA

Mega litigator Jeffrey Kessler opens up about smashing the college sports cartel, the reality of “pay for play,” and the $10 billion antitrust case that could change everything.

John Ourand • March 21, 2024

Ken Griffin and the $7.5 Billion Dolphins Deal That Wasn’t

Griffin’s bid for a minority stake in the team, which was foiled by a thwarted path to control, nevertheless creates a new high-water mark for the NFL and its “membership” of billionaires.

John Ourand • March 19, 2024

The Season of Pitaro Magical Thinking

News and notes on the topics percolating around arena corporate suites as March Madness beckons: the groundswell of support, no matter how fantastical, for Pitaro as the Iger succession process begins, and Pete Distad steps into Spulu.

John Ourand • March 15, 2024

College Football’s Final Fantasy

A group of 20-odd executives have banded together to unofficially explore the further migration of college football into a more professionalized and exploitable realm. It’s the latest micro-escalation in what increasingly seems like a foregone conclusion.

Julia Alexander • March 12, 2024

Netflix’s Live Sports Vulcan Chess

Rival executives have characterized the streamer’s recent live events as a sign of desperation—or simply P.R. stunts to jumpstart its ad revenue efforts. But this critique underestimates the Sarandos strategy and its ultimate ambition.

John Ourand • March 12, 2024

Goodell Vibrations

Is the NFL commissioner angling to add an 18th game to the schedule? And will the league’s media partners, which aren’t exactly sitting on mountains of cash, put up a fight?