The Varsity

Netflix’s Anti-ESPN Thesis

Dec 21, 2025 · 44 min · 64.5 MB
0:00-44:45

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Netflix vice president of sports Gabe Spitzer joins John for a deep dive into the streamer’s event-first sports strategy—from the Jake Paul–Anthony Joshua fight to NFL games on Christmas Day. Spitzer explains why Netflix is chasing tentpoles, not volume, and how selective rights plays like the Women’s World Cup and MLB fit into a broader global sports push. They also dig into Netflix’s approach to sports docs, podcasts, and the company’s ambitions to be a truly global sports destination.

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