Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers returns to Strictly Business to discuss a big month for her company, which is set to be wholly acquired this month by casino operator Penn Entertainment. She addresses her brand's foray into sports betting and the many different activations Barstool has going at Sunday's Super Bowl. 

Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers returns to Strictly Business to discuss a big month for her company, which is set to be wholly acquired this month by casino operator Penn Entertainment. She addresses her brand's foray into sports betting and the many different activations Barstool has going at Sunday's Super Bowl.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.

Strictly Business

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety's Strictly Business

Super Bowl Kicks Off Pivotal Time for Barstool Sports Head Coach Erika Ayers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f1c2d6d1-47b9-442b-a5a1-afa20113f7f3/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Marlow Stern unpacks LeBron James’ decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons and one championship title. The shakeup leaves one of the NBA’s most high-profile teams a little short on star power.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Marlow Stern unpacks <a href="https://variety.com/2026/sports/news/lebron-james-leaving-los-angeles-lakers-nba-luka-doncic-1236799506/">LeBron James&rsquo; decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons</a> and one championship title. The shakeup leaves one of the NBA&rsquo;s most high-profile teams a little short on star power.

Daily Variety -- So Long, LeBron! What the Lakers Shakeup Means for the NBA and for L.A.'s Sports Star Power

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6f0c6ff9-000c-4a68-b231-b47a0136fc99/transcript

On today’s episode, CNBC president KC Sullivan discusses the channel’s evolution following the Versant Media spinoff. The preeminent financial news network is transforming from a business rooted in linear cable to multiplatform digital. “We’re very much on offense,” Sullivan told Variety during last week’s Cannes Lions festival.

On today&rsquo;s episode, CNBC president KC Sullivan discusses <a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/comcast-versant-spinoff-january-close-1236599205/">the channel&rsquo;s evolution following the Versant Media spinoff.</a> The preeminent financial news network is transforming from a business rooted in linear cable to multiplatform digital. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re very much on offense,&rdquo; Sullivan told Variety during last week&rsquo;s Cannes Lions festival.

Daily Variety – CNBC Chief KC Sullivan on Transforming the Linear TV Business in a Global World: ‘We’re Very Much on Offense’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/58437543-6a01-4e19-b5fc-b479014f7628/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Jack Dunn breaks down a rough weekend for “Supergirl” and a big frame for “Toy Story 5” and “Michael.” And Todd Spangler explains why Comcast is hauling out the corporate meat cleaver to separate NBCUniversal and Sky from the core Comcast cable and tech assets.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Jack Dunn breaks down <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/supergirl-stumbles-box-office-opening-weekend-jackass-flops-toy-story-rules-1236797777/">a rough weekend for &ldquo;Supergirl&rdquo; and a big frame for &ldquo;Toy Story 5&rdquo; and &ldquo;Michael.&rdquo;</a> And Todd Spangler explains why Comcast is hauling out the corporate meat cleaver t<a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/comcast-split-nbcuniversal-cable-two-companies-1236798205/">o separate NBCUniversal and Sky from the core Comcast cable</a> and tech assets.

Daily Variety -- Box Office: ‘Supergirl’ Stumbles, ‘Toy Story 5’ Flexes and ‘Michael’ Hits a Milestone; Why Comcast is Splitting NBCUniversal and Sky From Cable

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bf239c99-67dd-428d-ad1d-b478012ad30c/transcript

Super Bowl Kicks Off Pivotal Time for Barstool Sports Head Coach Erika Ayers

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