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| Dan Le Batard and John Skipper |
John Skipper and Dan Le Batard are seeking $10–$15 million in initial financing for their new venture Meadowlark Media, sources tell Front Office Sports.
Rather than one primary backer, the duo prefer a number of investors. They desire creative and financial freedom for their “creative-centric” content factory for story-tellers.
“Skipper would rather have 10 investors chipping in a million dollars apiece — than one investor giving him $10 million,” said a source.
Some of the cash for Meadowlark will come from a pending deal for Le Batard’s radio show and podcast. Possible suitors for his shows include Spotify, SiriusXM and iHeartRadio, said sources.
But the new outlet won’t be a consumer company; instead, they envision an independent business-to-business outfit that will sell premium sports and entertainment content to third parties.
That content could range from TV, radio, and streaming sports shows to podcasts, scripted entertainment, reality programs and sports documentaries.
Meadowlark’s products could find destinations everywhere from sports TV giants like ESPN and NBC/Comcast to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max.
With solid financing, Skipper and Le Batard can recruit A-list talent in front of and behind the camera.
Among the preferred talent on their wish list: Pablo Torre and Bomani Jones, who are still under contract at ESPN; and Kate Fagan, the former ESPN writer and host.
There are also plenty of ex-ESPN staff who previously worked for Skipper: Jason Whitlock — the first editor-in-chief of ESPN’s The Undefeated who recently left Outkick — Mike Golic Sr., Trey Wingo, Josina Anderson and Michelle Beadle.
Said a source: “Skipper wants to get his old ESPN band back together. These are the people who Skipper loves — and who love Skipper.”
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