Eric Shanks: Leadership, Live Sports, and the Future of FOX Sports · 0:00

In this episode of On Stage, Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive Producer of FOX Sports, joins Colin Cowherd, host of The Herd, for a candid conversation on leadership, media strategy, and the enduring power of live sports. Recorded on April 15, 2026, at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, the discussion comes at a remarkable moment for Shanks and FOX Sports. As highlighted in a recent Sports Business Journal profile, Shanks has overseen some of the most significant moments in modern sports media—from Super Bowls and World Cups to major rights acquisitions and the continued evolution of FOX's sports portfolio.  Throughout the conversation, Shanks reflects on:  - Leading Through Big Moments: Lessons learned from managing some of the largest broadcasts and events in sports.   - The Value of Live Sports: Why premium live content remains one of the most powerful assets in media.   - Media's Next Chapter: How audience behavior, streaming, and technology are reshaping the business.   - Building Winning Teams: His leadership philosophy and approach to developing talent and culture inside FOX Sports.   - The Future of Sports Storytelling: How broadcasters can continue to engage fans in an increasingly fragmented media environment.   It’s an engaging discussion with one of the most influential executives in sports media, offering perspective on leadership, innovation, and the future of the industry.  🔔Subscribe to SBJ on YouTube: https://bit.ly/41bbXaV 🔔Sign up for our FREE newsletter, SBJ 360. Get a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry—delivered to your inbox each weekday: https://bit.ly/4eCzx8C #fifa #worldcup #fox #nfl #sportsmedia #sports #collegefootball #nil #bigten 00:00 – Smarter Sports Coverage, Fans Know More & Broadcast Evolution 00:42 – Podcast Intro & Eric Shanks Interview Overview 01:35 – Planning the 2026 World Cup & Scale of Production 03:08 – Making the World Cup Feel Local to U.S. Fans 05:11 – Does U.S. Team Success Matter for Ratings? 06:11 – Why Eric Shanks Joined FOX Sports 07:14 – Teaching Fans vs Talking Down to Viewers 08:29 – Recruiting Zlatan & Building On-Air Talent 10:30 – Lessons from Past World Cups & Storytelling 11:57 – FOX Strategy: Live Sports vs Streaming Wars 13:40 – Why FOX Avoided Streaming Losses & Won 15:02 – The Future of Broadcast TV & Live Sports 18:00 – IndyCar Investment, Growth & Sports Renaissance 20:39 – Big Events Strategy & FOX as an Event Company 21:45 – Big Ten Expansion, NIL & College Sports Changes 23:58 – Transfer Portal Impact & Playoff Expansion Debate 26:14 – NFL Rights, FOX Identity & Long-Term Partnership 27:26 – World Baseball Classic Growth & Future Value 28:41 – Closing Thoughts on Live Sports & Media

June 15, 2026