The Varsity

Can ParaBros Keep the NFL?

Guggenheim analyst Mike Morris joins John to discuss how a combined Paramount-WBD could impact future NFL media rights deals. Then they break down the true value of the league’s media contracts and how streamers like Netflix, Amazon and YouTube might eventually take even bigger pieces of the pie. Twenty nations and territories will compete in the World Baseball Classic with rosters featuring 78 MLB All-Stars, the most ever. Learn more at WorldBaseballClassic.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can MLS Win the World Cup?

Roger Bennett, founder of the soccer-centric media company Men in Blazers, joins John to assess soccer’s American ascent ahead of the World Cup in Atlanta. He explains how the sport has quietly climbed to become the third most popular sport in the country, outlines the challenges and upside facing MLS, and breaks down why youth investment will determine whether the league can seize its moment. He also forecasts a World Cup–fueled surge in stateside fandom, and shares his outlook for Team USA. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLB’s Netflix Era

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand returns to parse MLB’s media rights reshuffle and how the league will be packaged across its many platforms, from Netflix to NBC. Marchand and John also discuss ESPN’s MLB programming pivot, grade Peacock’s Legendary February, and predict who will be the winners and losers of the NFL’s looming rights renegotiations. Plus: Barry Bonds’ new gig with Netflix and his enduring case for a spot in Cooperstown. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jay Bilas’s College Basketball Bull Case

ESPN’s college basketball savant Jay Bilas joins John with a surprisingly optimistic diagnosis of the sport. He argues the on-court product has never been better, and makes a case that N.I.L. has only strengthened—not fractured—collegiate athletics. Plus, his thoughts on reform, his take on March Madness expansion, and why the game’s best days may still be ahead. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Olympics Politics & LA28’s Epstein Problem

Veteran sports columnist Christine Brennan joins John live from Milan to chew over the buzziest storylines emerging from the Winter Olympics. She discusses the unusually charged political atmosphere—including the notable booing of J.D. Vance at the opening ceremony, even as the U.S. team received significant applause—and why politics feels more front-and-center than usual among athletes. They also examine the controversy surrounding Casey Wasserman and whether his role leading the 2028 Los Angeles Games could be jeopardized after his name surfaced in the latest Epstein files. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices