Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Skipper, Le Batard Look to Raise Millions

  • Rather than one primary backer, the duo prefer a number of investors.
  • Meadowlark will be a business-to-business outfit that will sell premium sports and entertainment content to third parties.
John Skipper
Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

John Skipper and Dan Le Batard are seeking $10-$15 million in initial financing for their new sports content venture Meadowlark Media. 

“Skipper would rather have 10 investors chipping in a million dollars apiece — than one investor giving him $10 million,” a source told Front Office Sports. A range of investors offers more opportunity for the creative and financial freedom the duo desires.

Despite Skipper’s current role as Executive Chairman of DAZN, Meadowlark will not operate as part of the global sports streaming service. DAZN parent Access Industries will support Meadowlark while Skipper and Le Batard seek outside investors, however. DAZN could also invest in Meadowlark.

  • Some of the cash for Meadowlark will come from a pending deal for Le Batard’s radio show and podcast. 
  • Possible suitors for his shows include Spotify, SiriusXM and iHeartRadio, sources said.

The new venture won’t be a consumer company — content won’t be posted on a platform called Meadowlark. Instead, it will be a business-to-business outfit that sells premium sports and entertainment content to third parties, potentially including streaming services or TV networks.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Trump to Attend Final Day of Patriot Games, Airing on ESPN App

The Freedom 250–backed event is taking place just outside of Cleveland.
Exclusive

Clay Travis to Launch New Sports Media Outfit Before Football Season

The new company is expected to include video content from his radio show.
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck arrive at the Disney Upfront 2022 event in New York City, New York, U.S., May 17, 2022. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado

Aikman, Buck Head Into High-Stakes ESPN Negotiations

ESPN hopes to retain the duo past the network’s first Super Bowl.
FILE PHOTO: Disney+ logo is seen in this illustration taken August 5, 2025.

Disney Sells Out of Super Bowl LXI Ad Inventory

ESPN parent company Disney exhausted its inventory on an earlier schedule.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

FIFA’s Infantino Under Fire, ESPN’s New 20-Team CFP Play, Bills Fans on New $2.2B Stadium

0:00

Featured Today

Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Tom's Watch Bar
July 17, 2026

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Nov 15, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart interact after a game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
First at FOS
August 11, 2026

SEC Netflix Series Not Returning for Second Season This Year

The show chronicled 10 SEC football teams during the 2024 season.
The Volume
Exclusive
August 11, 2026

David Ross, Anthony Rizzo Rebranding Volume Podcast

The revamped show will cover all of MLB, not just the Cubs.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
August 11, 2026

Huge Hall of Fame Game Ratings Point to Another Big Year for NFL

The latest NFL viewership suggests big things to come for the league.
Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The NFL Network logo on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
August 10, 2026

NFL Network Blackout Ends As Comcast, Disney Reach Deal

The agreement ended a blackout lasting more than three months.
Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Panther and now announcer Greg Olsen during pregame warm ups between the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Opinion
August 10, 2026

Greg Olsen Has the Most to Gain in NFL TV’s Talent Shuffle

CBS, Amazon, and ESPN could all have No. 1 jobs to fill.
August 7, 2026

How WNBA Teams Are Responding to the League’s Latest Culture War

The league issued a new media policy this year.