Jeff Shaffer
@jeff-shaffer.bsky.social
Service Line Head @ Alvarez & Marsal | Grounded. Fast. Transparent. | Leading High-Stakes Transitions in Media, Sports & Tech
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shafferja/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shafferja/
This is always always when a media brand comes under new ownership. You want to make it your own, but you also don't want to alienate people by losing what made the brand unique.
ESPN will seek to preserve NFL Network's "very different voice" after taking ownership of league-owned channel, exec Magnus says: www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/11/espn...
ESPN looking to preserve NFL Network "voice" after acquisition
ESPN intends to maintain NFL Network's "very different voice" if its acquisition of the league-branded channel is approved.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This is always always when a media brand comes under new ownership. You want to make it your own, but you also don't want to alienate people by losing what made the brand unique.
Women's basketball has seen a surge of growth in recent years, with the WNBA now seeing a great deal of interest from sports media. So it's no surprise that they might be seeking an earlier season to compete with the NCAA and the anticipated “Project B”.
WNBA reportedly seeks earlier season, conflicting with NCAA, "Project B"
The WNBA is reportedly looking to move up the start of its season as part of its collective bargaining negotiations.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Women's basketball has seen a surge of growth in recent years, with the WNBA now seeing a great deal of interest from sports media. So it's no surprise that they might be seeking an earlier season to compete with the NCAA and the anticipated “Project B”.
CW calling out Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel rollout shows just how much metrics matter. If measurement isn’t transparent or reliable, it risks trust, strategy, and ad confidence, especially as streaming and hybrid viewing reshape how audiences are counted.
CW expresses "deep frustration" with Nielsen over "flawed" Big Data as pro wrestling viewership takes hit: www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/11/cw-f...
CW expresses "deep frustration" with Nielsen over "flawed" Big Data
The CW says it is frustrated with Nielsen over what it says is the "fundamentally flawed" Big Data + Panel metric.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:40 PM
CW calling out Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel rollout shows just how much metrics matter. If measurement isn’t transparent or reliable, it risks trust, strategy, and ad confidence, especially as streaming and hybrid viewing reshape how audiences are counted.
On #GivingTuesday, I’m grateful for A&M’s commitment to our communities. Our teams volunteer, lend expertise, and support causes from youth and education to veterans and crisis relief—showing up and making an impact every day.
December 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
On #GivingTuesday, I’m grateful for A&M’s commitment to our communities. Our teams volunteer, lend expertise, and support causes from youth and education to veterans and crisis relief—showing up and making an impact every day.
Heartbreaker at Kinnick. But watching the composure both on the field and in the locker room reminded me how much mental toughness matters in every high-pressure moment, not just in sports. Hats off to both teams for a gritty, hard-fought game! I am hardcore Iowa stayed until the bitter end!
Oregon escapes #Hawkeyes’ late upset bid www.ourquadcities.com/sports/hawke...
November 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Heartbreaker at Kinnick. But watching the composure both on the field and in the locker room reminded me how much mental toughness matters in every high-pressure moment, not just in sports. Hats off to both teams for a gritty, hard-fought game! I am hardcore Iowa stayed until the bitter end!
Today, sports is a $2.3T+ ecosystem. Smart investors align capital with rights cycles, monetize adjacencies, integrate tech, take a long view, and manage reputational risk: https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/thought-leadership/winning-strategies-5-moves-for-private-equity-to-unlock-value-in-sports
November 18, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Today, sports is a $2.3T+ ecosystem. Smart investors align capital with rights cycles, monetize adjacencies, integrate tech, take a long view, and manage reputational risk: https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/thought-leadership/winning-strategies-5-moves-for-private-equity-to-unlock-value-in-sports
Change is constant, but transformation is a choice. At A&M, we help leaders turn disruption into momentum, aligning execution with ambition and turning potential into performance through clarity, conviction, and collaboration.
November 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Change is constant, but transformation is a choice. At A&M, we help leaders turn disruption into momentum, aligning execution with ambition and turning potential into performance through clarity, conviction, and collaboration.
A hidden block for leaders: assuming “If I can do it, so can you.” Meeting people where they are—not expecting them to mirror your path—is what drives real growth and engagement.
https://hbr.org/2025/10/when-setting-the-standard-for-your-team-avoid-this-common-mistake
https://hbr.org/2025/10/when-setting-the-standard-for-your-team-avoid-this-common-mistake
November 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
A hidden block for leaders: assuming “If I can do it, so can you.” Meeting people where they are—not expecting them to mirror your path—is what drives real growth and engagement.
https://hbr.org/2025/10/when-setting-the-standard-for-your-team-avoid-this-common-mistake
https://hbr.org/2025/10/when-setting-the-standard-for-your-team-avoid-this-common-mistake
Innovation in sports isn’t just in the big leagues. Smaller leagues like PVF, MLV, and the Savannah Bananas are proving that flexible distribution, D2C apps, FAST channels, and fan-focused content can grow audiences and create long-term value without massive budgets.
The next sports media revolution won’t start at the top
Emerging sports leagues are reinventing how fans watch, engage and pay for live games, creating new opportunities to boost media rights value Heading to Blockbuster and renting a film used to be the highlight of the
insidersport.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Innovation in sports isn’t just in the big leagues. Smaller leagues like PVF, MLV, and the Savannah Bananas are proving that flexible distribution, D2C apps, FAST channels, and fan-focused content can grow audiences and create long-term value without massive budgets.
Different year, same heart. Iowa always finds a way to grind it out when it counts. Proud to be a Hawkeye! #GoHawks. Time to bring home Floyd!!
Former Penn State coach James Franklin on the #Hawkeyes: "They're consistent, not simple. Who they are this year is who they were last year and who they were before that.” He said that in 2021. We saw some 🤯 differences tonight, but the defense still came up big when it needed to. Iowa wins 25-24.
October 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Different year, same heart. Iowa always finds a way to grind it out when it counts. Proud to be a Hawkeye! #GoHawks. Time to bring home Floyd!!
Happy National Mentoring Day. I’ve had great mentors who made space for me to step up. My approach now: facts first, zero ego, and give people real reps when it counts. That’s how teams grow—by trusting capable people to rise when the pressure’s on.
October 27, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Happy National Mentoring Day. I’ve had great mentors who made space for me to step up. My approach now: facts first, zero ego, and give people real reps when it counts. That’s how teams grow—by trusting capable people to rise when the pressure’s on.
Technological change in media is relentless. Rising costs, complex operations, and evolving audience expectations challenge creators and distributors alike. At A&M, we help turn disruption into opportunity—optimizing tech, streamlining operations, and enhancing fan engagement.
October 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Technological change in media is relentless. Rising costs, complex operations, and evolving audience expectations challenge creators and distributors alike. At A&M, we help turn disruption into opportunity—optimizing tech, streamlining operations, and enhancing fan engagement.
The Media & Entertainment industry is booming—projected to reach $5.28T by 2032—but growth brings pressure. At A&M, we help PE-backed M&E companies optimize operations, deliver high-quality experiences, and unlock value for sustainable, long-term growth.
October 17, 2025 at 8:08 PM
The Media & Entertainment industry is booming—projected to reach $5.28T by 2032—but growth brings pressure. At A&M, we help PE-backed M&E companies optimize operations, deliver high-quality experiences, and unlock value for sustainable, long-term growth.
Spinning off a company can be costly if you duplicate services the parent handled. An SMO ensures Day 1 runs smoothly, finding efficiencies without disrupting content, talent, or audience experience. At A&M, we help M&E companies unlock value while preserving what makes them special.
October 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Spinning off a company can be costly if you duplicate services the parent handled. An SMO ensures Day 1 runs smoothly, finding efficiencies without disrupting content, talent, or audience experience. At A&M, we help M&E companies unlock value while preserving what makes them special.
I’ve learned the best decisions come from facts, not ego. Asking tough questions, listening to diverse perspectives, and following the data leads to clarity, stronger teams, and outcomes everyone can rally behind.
October 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I’ve learned the best decisions come from facts, not ego. Asking tough questions, listening to diverse perspectives, and following the data leads to clarity, stronger teams, and outcomes everyone can rally behind.
The Media & Entertainment sector is booming, but cost control without hurting quality is key. Optimizing tech—streamlining CRMs, ERPs, tools, and licenses—cuts costs, boosts productivity, and accelerates innovation. In M&E, smart tech is the real differentiating advantage.
October 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The Media & Entertainment sector is booming, but cost control without hurting quality is key. Optimizing tech—streamlining CRMs, ERPs, tools, and licenses—cuts costs, boosts productivity, and accelerates innovation. In M&E, smart tech is the real differentiating advantage.
Optimizing real estate in M&E is about strategy. Consolidate facilities, centralize services, and leverage nearshoring to cut costs, boost efficiency, and scale effectively: https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/thought-leadership/media-buzz-6-moves-to-add-value-for-private-equity
October 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Optimizing real estate in M&E is about strategy. Consolidate facilities, centralize services, and leverage nearshoring to cut costs, boost efficiency, and scale effectively: https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/thought-leadership/media-buzz-6-moves-to-add-value-for-private-equity
Leadership is as much about connection as it is execution. Empathy helps us meet people where they are, but teams also need clear guidance and speed. The challenge (and reward) is balancing that human connection with operational excellence. How do you strike that balance?
September 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Leadership is as much about connection as it is execution. Empathy helps us meet people where they are, but teams also need clear guidance and speed. The challenge (and reward) is balancing that human connection with operational excellence. How do you strike that balance?
Three weeks off-grid with Liz in Botswana, Zambia, Sabi Sands & Madagascar brought lessons home: clarity needs space, craft takes patience, and resetting isn’t indulgence—it’s how leaders return sharper for their teams. Grateful for the time and perspective.
September 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Three weeks off-grid with Liz in Botswana, Zambia, Sabi Sands & Madagascar brought lessons home: clarity needs space, craft takes patience, and resetting isn’t indulgence—it’s how leaders return sharper for their teams. Grateful for the time and perspective.
WBD has joined Disney in suing Sling TV/Dish Network over its "Day Pass" offerings, insisting it violates the terms of their carriage agreement. The situation highlights the growing friction between legacy distribution deals vs. on-demand offerings.
WBD joins Disney in suing Sling TV/Dish over short-term 'passes' - Sportcal
WBD claims that Sling has violated the terms of the pair's carriage agreement by foregoing monthly subscription fees.
www.sportcal.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:02 PM
WBD has joined Disney in suing Sling TV/Dish Network over its "Day Pass" offerings, insisting it violates the terms of their carriage agreement. The situation highlights the growing friction between legacy distribution deals vs. on-demand offerings.
The rapid growth within the Media & Entertainment means big opportunities for PE/VC firms, but to take advantage, they must focus on cost optimization. Optimizing operations can unlock substantial value while positioning companies for long-term growth.
September 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The rapid growth within the Media & Entertainment means big opportunities for PE/VC firms, but to take advantage, they must focus on cost optimization. Optimizing operations can unlock substantial value while positioning companies for long-term growth.
The Media & Entertainment sector is booming, but PE/VC firms face a key challenge: cutting costs without hurting content or engagement. But by streamlining operations, leaders can capture efficiencies while respecting creative teams and preserving content quality.
September 9, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The Media & Entertainment sector is booming, but PE/VC firms face a key challenge: cutting costs without hurting content or engagement. But by streamlining operations, leaders can capture efficiencies while respecting creative teams and preserving content quality.
The M&E industry is being reinvented. That's why I’m launching a 6-part series on how PE investors can unlock value—from operations to tech—to navigate disruption and seize new opportunities. Stay tuned!
September 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The M&E industry is being reinvented. That's why I’m launching a 6-part series on how PE investors can unlock value—from operations to tech—to navigate disruption and seize new opportunities. Stay tuned!
Paramount’s $1.1B/year UFC deal secures scarce, high-value content, positioning Paramount+ as a must-have for fans. In a market where major U.S. sports rights are locked up, this move shows the power of timing, scale, and investing in growth over cuts. #Sports #Media @cnbc.com
CNBC Sport: Paramount makes a big bet before the U.S. sports media doldrums
Paramount is paying more than double the $500 million ESPN has spent annually for UFC rights the last five years.
www.cnbc.com
August 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Paramount’s $1.1B/year UFC deal secures scarce, high-value content, positioning Paramount+ as a must-have for fans. In a market where major U.S. sports rights are locked up, this move shows the power of timing, scale, and investing in growth over cuts. #Sports #Media @cnbc.com
What makes #consulting impactful isn’t just IQ—it’s thoughtfulness and empathy. Great consultants see patterns, turn them into action, and walk alongside clients and teammates through change. Diversity of thought makes that possible. @bantbreen.bsky.social
August 18, 2025 at 4:33 PM
What makes #consulting impactful isn’t just IQ—it’s thoughtfulness and empathy. Great consultants see patterns, turn them into action, and walk alongside clients and teammates through change. Diversity of thought makes that possible. @bantbreen.bsky.social