A former U.S. President and two sports legends, LeBron James and Peyton Manning, are making headlines as they explore the world of entertainment. James, known for his prowess on the basketball court, and Manning, a former NFL quarterback with two Super Bowl wins to his name, are in talks to join forces through their respective production companies: SpringHill Company and Omaha Productions.
But that’s not all. The involvement of Higher Ground Productions, the production company founded by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, as well as the NBA, is generating even more buzz. While details are still emerging, it’s expected that the show will find its home on the Netflix platform.
Omaha Productions, under the leadership of Peyton Manning, has been making waves in the world of sports-related entertainment since its establishment in 2020. They are the creative minds behind the Emmy-award winning “Monday Night Football With Peyton and Eli,” a program that provides entertaining commentary during ESPN games, and the ESPN+ “Places” series featuring Manning and other elite athletes. Omaha has also secured a presence on various networks, including ABC, A+E Networks, and NBCUniversal. In a significant milestone this year, Omaha received a $410 million valuation following a strategic investment from Peter Chernin’s North Road Company.
LeBron James, who is heading into his 21st season as a star of the Los Angeles Lakers, co-founded SpringHill with his longtime friend Maverick Carter back in 2008. The company boasts an impressive portfolio, including the Space Jam sequel, “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” the Netflix movie “Hustle” starring Adam Sandler, and the engaging talk show “The Shop,” which airs on YouTube. SpringHill was valued at around $725 million in its last funding round in 2021.
Streaming platforms have found tremendous success with sports-oriented content, and Netflix is no exception. The Formula 1 racing series “Drive to Survive” is heading into its sixth season, and “Break Point” provides a glimpse into the lives of professional tennis players. Netflix’s “Quarterback,” modeled after Omaha’s work, has consistently ranked in the top 10 lists for several weeks this year.
As for Omaha’s “Quarterback,” the producers, along with NFL Films and Netflix, are yet to unveil the cast for the second season, even as the current NFL season approaches its seventh week. Interestingly, there are discussions about including players from other positions, such as wide receivers, which is sure to add an exciting twist to the show.
While streaming giants like Amazon and YouTube have secured deals to broadcast live sports events, Netflix has chosen a different path. With a staggering subscriber base of 247 million, making it the world’s largest streaming service, Netflix primarily focuses on producing sports-themed content. The results have been remarkable, with certain leagues witnessing an increase in viewership after the release of related Netflix shows. For instance, “Full Swing,” a series about professional golfers, drove 63% of its viewers to tune in to PGA Tour coverage. Astonishingly, 11% of these viewers had not watched any golf for six months prior to the show, as per data from the PGA Tour and Nielsen.
Netflix’s commitment to sports-related programming continues with the upcoming “The Netflix Cup.” This live golf tournament will feature athletes from Netflix’s very own “Drive to Survive” and “Full Swing.” As Netflix continues to expand its sports content offerings, we can expect even more captivating shows and events that bridge the gap between sports and entertainment.
LeBron James and Peyton Manning’s venture into the entertainment world, backed by their successful production companies and Netflix’s global reach, is bound to create an exciting fusion of sports and entertainment that fans around the world eagerly await. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling collaboration.
(Source: Jessica Toonkel | Isabella Simonetti | WSJ | Joseph Zucker | Bleacher Report | Alex Weprin | Hollywood Reporter)
