USA Sports president Matt Hong explains how Versant is playing a “different game.” It already has major relationships with the PGA, Premier League, NASCAR, WWE & more. But it has designs to reconfigure its business, while maintaining a 50 percent stake in broadcasting.
In a fascinating 47-minute discussion, Hong, who rose in the media world at AOL and TNT Sports, is the guest on “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand.”
The interview was part of the “Off The Record with Andrew Marchand presented by WSC Sports” series.
RUNDOWN …
Where is sports going?
Explaining what Versant is trying to accomplish
The percentage of live sports and news on Versant tells a story
Why no NFL or NBA for Versant
What works for Versant
Understanding Golf Now and Fandango businesses
The goal is change the model
Why MLB & NHL could be something USA Sports pursues
How the NFL getting more could be good for USA Sports
Why Versant will be more ROI driven than others
The reasons NBC and Versant split up the sports rights the way they did when the new company was formed
The three buckets of USA Sports and NBC
Why Versant can be more nimble
Hong’s Mark Lazarus connection
Why golf is the perfect business for Versant
How Versant is on the front foot with AI
How Versant could partner with NBC and others
How M&A is part of what they do
What is Versant’s digital strategy
How did Hong rise through media
Why the AI age may be similar to the digital age
The mandate to do something different after NBC spinoff
The advice from Jeremy Legg
How David Levy, Lenny Daniels and Jeff Behnke helped Hong
What is Charles Barkley like
TNT Sports and wanting to get the NFL back
How the CBS and TNT Sports worked so hard for the NCAA deal
Hong was ready to leave the sports television business and then Hong received a call from Mark Lazarus
It was too good to pass up; especially with the team Lazarus had put together with people like Anandi Kini and David Pietrycha
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