Dynamic digital publication Puck is set to shake up the sports sphere, tapping veteran journalist John Ourand as head of a new sports venture. This move marks the first foray into a lucrative and vast sports industry market by media entities, poised to cater to leagues and athletes' business needs.
Olander joins Puck after a 18-year stint with the Sports Business Journal, widely recognized as one of the industry's leading journalists who bridges the gap between sports and finance reporting.
In an internal communication to team members, SBJ's Publisher and Editor John Madkour expressed shock over Ourand's departure but was quick to echo John's excitement about his new hockey opportunity.
Ourand, commenting on his decision to leave SBJ, lauded the opportunity as "a fantastic chance." He went on to express his admiration for fellow sports journalists such as Matt Belloni, Bill Cohan, and others, looking forward to collaborating with them.
Puck, primarily fueled by subscription and advertising revenues, sees opportunities galore in the sports sector. John Kelly, Puck's co-founding editor, noted, "The sports industry is a $5 trillion market ranging from leagues and agencies all the way to media deals and marketing services."
Olander, at the heart of sports media transformation, provides crucial reports and analyses essential for comprehending industry shifts, business flows, and market-dominating trends. Kelly expressed his appreciation, stating, "I've always admired John, and now, it's an honor to consider him my partner."
Puck's reputation, built through a steady stream of exclusive reports and breaking stories, has attracted the interest of industry heavyweights who often engage with its journalism with enthusiasm. Despite having fewer than 50 employees, Puck's journalism has been a resounding success, regularly breaking news before mainstream newspapers.
When Puck debuts in 2021, Kelly envisions it as a platform offering the freedom of Substack with the resources of an established news outlet, aiming to fill the void within the sports journalism landscape.
Puck's journalists, often boasting strong personal brands, are partners in the company and gain income from subscriptions and other business ventures such as live events. Although Puck has not disclosed subscription figures, it secured $13 million in a Series B funding round this summer, boosting its value beyond $70 million, as per an informed source.
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Puck's venture into the sports sector marks a significant opportunity, embracing the skills of veteran sports journalist John Ourand. Puck intends to disrupt sports news and analysis, offering a unique blend of sports and business insights.
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Incorporating Enrichment Insights:
- Industry Expertise: John Ourand, sport industry veteran with two decades of experience at Sports Business Journal, brings invaluable expertise to Puck, covering a spectrum of sports-related topics like leagues, players, agencies, media deals, egos, and more.
- Insider Access: As an insider, Ourand unlocks privileged access to private conversations and confidential information from boardrooms and corridors, ensuring comprehensive insights.
- Data-Driven Analysis: Ourand's journalism complements data-driven insights from experts like Parrot Analytics, offering a balanced and informed perspective on the sports media landscape.
- Multifaceted Coverage: Puck's comprehensive daily digest, weekly compendium, and podcasts ensure a broad and inclusive coverage of sports, politics, finance, and other power corridors, making it a compelling source for industry insiders and fans alike.
- Professional-Grade Reporting: John Ourand's reporting is acclaimed for its meticulous comprehensiveness, providing readers with a detailed and trustworthy understanding of the sports industry.
By blending Ourand's expertise with data-driven analysis and multifaceted coverage, Puck aims to revolutionize sports journalism, offering readers unparalleled insights into the heart of the industry.
