The Varsity Steve Bornstein’s NFL Gospel
Nov 12, 2025
Steve Bornstein, a former president of ESPN and ABC Sports, shares his experiences shaping sports media and the NFL's rise. He reminisces about his collaboration with legendary commissioner Paul Tagliabue, highlighting their mutual respect and intellect. Bornstein discusses the challenges of the current sports media landscape, including streaming wars and AI's incursion. He also offers advice on career paths for graduates, champions women's volleyball, and emphasizes the need for broader access for fans in the evolving sports rights market.
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Why ESPN Is A Natural Home For NFL Network
- Bornstein believes the NFL Network idea predated him but he helped make it successful by giving confidence and execution skill.
- He sees ESPN taking over NFL Network as a nurturing move to provide scale and resources for growth.
A Humble Moment About A Jersey
- Bornstein shares a dinner story where Tagliabue said his biggest honor was having his Georgetown number retired alongside Patrick Ewing.
- The tale highlighted Tagliabue's humility and deadpan humor to Bornstein.
Protect And Monetize Live Sports IP
- Own intellectual property when appointment viewing is scarce because live sports remain uniquely valuable.
- If you control live sports IP now, it's a prime time to monetize and expand reach strategically.