About this episode

The episode discusses World Cup viewership, sports rights, Versant's acquisition, and features an interview with Matt Vasgersian about Netflix's Home Run Derby debut.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter reflect on the U.S. and Mexico exits from the FIFA World Cup, and how Fox and Telemundo will continue to deliver viewership numbers. Plus, the duo look at who might want rights to the next iterations of the tournament. Then, Karp and Carpenter address Versant’s recent acquisition of Full Swing. Plus, with MLB All-Star weekend around the bend, MMLB Network’s Matt Vasgersian, who will call the Home Run Derby, breaks down Netflix’s debut with the event and what he sees regarding MLB’s labor situation.

People in this episode

Hosts: Austin Karp, Josh Carpenter

Guest: Matt Vasgersian

Topics covered

• World Cup viewership
• sports rights
• Versant acquisition
• MLB All-Star weekend
• Netflix event debut
• labor situation in MLB

Keywords

• World Cup
• viewership numbers
• sports rights
• Versant
• Full Swing
• MLB All-Star
• Matt Vasgersian
• Netflix
• Home Run Derby
• labor situation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FIFA, Fox, Telemundo, Versant, Full Swing, MLB Network

Products: Home Run Derby, Netflix

More episodes of The Sports Media Podcast

• The World Cup rolls on, Versant adds another property, and Netflix takes a swing at the Home Run Derby · July 16, 2026 · 32 min
• Inside the World Cup's knockout stage; what's next for NBC/Comcast; Bonnie Bernstein joins the pod · July 1, 2026 · 32 min
• NASCAR looks classy in San Diego; College baseball on the rise; Fox’s Stu Holden talks World Cup · June 25, 2026 · 28 min
• World Cup viewership and hydration breaks; the NBA and NHL wrap up big; and what to make of UFC Freedom 250 · June 18, 2026 · 39 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Sports Media Podcast podcast page.