SPORTS
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.
Eriq Gardner
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May 18, 2026
Real Court Drama
The French Open is underway, but the real action this week may be in a New York courtroom 3,500 miles away, where an upstart players union is making noise about the sport’s alleged anti-competitive, pay-suppressing practices.
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.
Eriq Gardner
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May 11, 2026
The Private Equity End Zone
The future of the N.I.L. gold rush may hinge on a looming federal court fight over whether the College Sports Commission can police what is increasingly becoming a leveraged media-rights marketplace.
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.
Eriq Gardner
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May 4, 2026
Is Insider Sports Betting a Federal Crime?
For the first time ever, the government has filed fraud charges over insider trading on a prediction market. Could athletes, coaches, and trainers be next?
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.
John Ourand
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April 28, 2026
The NFL’s September Surprise
A revelatory conversation with analyst Mike Morris about the myriad questions swirling around the NFL’s looming, blockbuster rights negotiations.
Eriq Gardner
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April 27, 2026
A $957 Million WWE Title Fight
The pro wrestling outfit is flying high thanks to a slew of new deals and WrestleMania’s recent ESPN debut. But an imminent trial will question whether Vince McMahon undersold the value of the company ahead of the TKO merger that made it all possible.
John Ourand
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April 23, 2026
Goodell’s Washington Ground Game
The feds have been breathing down the NFL’s neck all year, and a quartet of league executives made the pilgrimage to D.C. last week to plead their case.
NBC’s Miller Time
An exclusive conversation with NBC Sports’s Jon Miller about the network’s recent multibillion-dollar sports rights investments, the stunning durability of broadcast television, competing with trillion-dollar streaming giants, and plenty more.
John Ourand
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April 20, 2026
How Much Trouble Is the NFL In, Really?
The league’s recent push to sign new rights deals with its media partners and ongoing relationship with the streamers has opened it up to a wave of regulatory inquiry. But is any of the scrutiny more than just a headache?
John Ourand
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April 16, 2026
LIV & Let Die… Again
How much longer is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund willing to continue pumping billions into its quixotic bet on LIV Golf, as the Iran war dislocates sporting events like Formula One and Fanatics flag football?
Will Amazon Get the First Streaming Super Bowl?
It’s virtually inevitable that a streamer will land the exclusive rights to host the Super Bowl within the next decade. And Amazon Prime Video, which has already proven itself with ‘Thursday Night Football’ and sits atop a geyser of e-commerce money, would be the natural successor to a six-decade tradition.