The Executive Charged With Executing Netflix's Sports Ambitions

Episode 655 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Gabe Spitzer, Vice President Global Live Sports and Entertainment for Netflix. Spitzer has oversight for the company’s global live sports strategy including managing the rights negotiations and partnerships with leagues such as NFL, MLB, WWE and FIFA for the Women’s World Cup. In this podcast we discuss Netflix airing the NFL's league’s first-ever regular season game in Australia on Sept. 10 (Rams- 49ers); what viewers can expect from the Australia game; why Netflix expanded to five NFL games in 2026; how Spitzer approaches on-air talent hires; why Noah Eagle and Luke Kuechly were the choices for the NFL game coverage; the Women’s World Cup being the most ambitious thing Netflix has undertaken; where Netflix is right now regarding WWC preparations; the on-air talent needed to fill for the Women's World Cup; the company's interest in the upcoming men's World Cup set to be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain; when discussions with FIFA might come; where the market is right now for sports documentaries; why Netflix is heavy into partnerships with sports podcasts; how he judges success with the WWE partnership; using WWE talent for traditional sports broadcasts; whether viewers should be scared of a streamer getting a Super Bowl and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.