25 Athletes Who Own Movie Production Companies or Record Labels
1. LeBron James - SpringHill Entertainment
Co-founded with Maverick Carter, SpringHill is a powerhouse in film and TV production. It has delivered a diverse range of acclaimed content, including The Shop and Space Jam: A New Legacy, and was instrumental in the Oscar-winning short Two Distant Strangers. This company showcases James's profound influence beyond basketball, shaping narratives across various platforms and genres.
2. Kevin Durant - Thirty Five Ventures
Through his media and investment arm, Thirty Five Ventures, Kevin Durant has emerged as a significant force in entertainment. The company produces compelling documentaries like Basketball County: In the Water and scripted content such as Swagger. Durant's venture consistently explores themes related to sports, culture, and social justice, highlighting his commitment to impactful storytelling.
3. Stephen Curry - Unanimous Media
Stephen Curry's Unanimous Media focuses on creating inspiring and impactful stories across film, television, and digital platforms. Notable works include Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness and the Oscar-winning short The Queen of Basketball. Curry's company consistently tackles social issues and celebrates human achievement, reflecting his personal values and broad influence.
4. Peyton Manning - Omaha Productions
Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions has revolutionized sports broadcasting with its innovative "Places" series and the highly popular ManningCast. This company brings a unique, casual, and insightful approach to sports commentary and documentary storytelling. Their productions offer unparalleled access and behind-the-scenes looks into the world of professional sports.
5. Tom Brady - 199 Productions
Named after his draft pick number, Tom Brady's 199 Productions focuses on creating premium sports content. Notable works include Man in the Arena and The Dynasty. The company consistently explores the mental and physical demands of elite athleticism and chronicles legendary careers, reflecting Brady's own pursuit of excellence and storytelling passion.
6. Derek Jeter - The Players' Tribune
While primarily a digital media platform, Derek Jeter's The Players' Tribune extensively produces original video and audio content. It features stories written and told directly by athletes themselves, giving them an authentic voice in sharing their experiences and insights. This platform empowers athletes to control their own narratives.
7. Serena Williams - Serena Williams Media
Serena Williams' media company aims to tell powerful, inspiring stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Her notable work includes the intimate documentary Being Serena. Leveraging her own extraordinary journey and global platform, Williams highlights important narratives, showcasing her influence and commitment to impactful storytelling beyond the tennis court.
8. Russell Wilson - Why Not You Productions
Co-founded with his wife Ciara, Russell Wilson's Why Not You Productions focuses on creating inspiring and empowering content across film, television, and digital platforms. Their work aligns with their personal brand of positivity and impact, aiming to uplift and motivate audiences through compelling narratives and diverse storytelling.
9. Chris Paul - Ohh Dip!!! Productions / Paul Good Media
Chris Paul's production ventures are dedicated to telling authentic and impactful stories. Notable works include The Game Changers and The Day Sports Stood Still. His companies consistently highlight underrepresented narratives within sports and social justice, showcasing Paul's commitment to meaningful content and social change through media.
10. Dwyane Wade - Wade Productions
Dwyane Wade's company produces documentaries and other content that often delve into personal journeys, social issues, and the broader culture of sports and entertainment. Notable works include D. Wade: Life Unexpected. His productions offer intimate perspectives and explore the multifaceted lives of athletes beyond their public personas.
11. Shaquille O'Neal - Summertime Entertainment
Beyond his extensive media presence, Shaquille O'Neal has invested in and owned Summertime Entertainment, an animation studio. He also actively produces documentaries, including the Oscar-winning short The Queen of Basketball, and the Shaq documentary series. His ventures showcase his diverse interests in entertainment, from animation to compelling real-life stories.
12. Travis Kelce - 87 & Running
Named after his jersey number, Travis Kelce's production company, 87 & Running, has quickly made a significant mark. Its notable work includes the highly successful documentary Kelce, which provides an intimate, inside look into his family's football journey and personal life, showcasing his growing influence in media.
13. Patrick Mahomes - 2PM Productions
Patrick Mahomes' production company, 2PM Productions, formed in partnership with his agent, has swiftly become active in sports storytelling. It notably contributed to the acclaimed Netflix series Quarterback, offering an unprecedented look into the lives of NFL quarterbacks. Mahomes's venture highlights his expanding role in media.
14. Naomi Osaka - Hana Kuma
Co-founded with LeBron James and Maverick Carter's SpringHill, Naomi Osaka's Hana Kuma aims to produce culturally specific and impactful stories. Her notable work includes Mink!. This venture reflects her global perspective and commitment to diverse narratives, leveraging her international appeal to bring unique voices to the forefront of media.
15. Usain Bolt - 9.58 Entertainment
The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, has channeled his passion for music into his own record label, 9.58 Entertainment. The company focuses on developing and promoting artists in the reggae and dancehall genres, including his own music, leveraging his global brand to impact the music industry.
16. Damian Lillard - Front Page Music
Beyond his NBA career, Damian Lillard owns and operates his own record label, Front Page Music. Through this label, he releases his critically acclaimed rap music under his moniker, Dame D.O.L.L.A. This venture showcases Lillard's entrepreneurial spirit and artistic talent outside of basketball, establishing him as a dual threat.
17. Carmelo Anthony - Creative 7
Co-founded with his long-time business partner, Carmelo Anthony's Creative 7 focuses on creating compelling, diverse, and impactful content. Notable works include Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali and Godfather of Harlem. The company often explores social justice and historical narratives, reflecting Anthony's commitment to meaningful storytelling.
18. Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe - A Touch More
This power couple in sports launched their media company, A Touch More, to create narratives that transcend traditional sports storytelling. Their notable works include various documentary projects highlighting social issues and female athletes. The company focuses on intersectional issues, activism, and empowering diverse voices through media.
19. Michael Strahan - SMAC Entertainment
Co-founded with Constance Schwartz-Morini, SMAC Entertainment is a full-service talent management and production company. It actively produces a range of sports and unscripted television content, including documentaries. Strahan's company leverages his extensive network and media experience to develop compelling projects and manage talent effectively.
20. Draymond Green - Greenlight Media
Draymond Green's media venture, Greenlight Media, focuses on creating and distributing his own content. Its notable work includes The Draymond Green Show (podcast/video series). This platform allows Green to share his unfiltered insights and perspectives on basketball and broader cultural topics directly with fans, showcasing his unique voice.
21. Von Miller - Von Miller Studios
The Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller, has established his own production company, Von Miller Studios. The company aims to create engaging content that spans sports, entertainment, and other areas of interest. This venture showcases Miller's entrepreneurial ambitions and his desire to contribute to the media landscape beyond football.
22. Odell Beckham Jr. - The Collective
Odell Beckham Jr.'s venture, The Collective, is a multi-faceted content studio focusing on fashion, music, and film. He leverages his personal brand and network to create projects that reflect his unique style and interests beyond football, positioning himself as a creative force in entertainment.
23. Kyrie Irving - A11Even Media
Kyrie Irving's company, A11Even Media, was instrumental in bringing his popular "Uncle Drew" character from a commercial series to a full-length feature film. This demonstrates his creative vision and ability to develop entertainment properties, showcasing his talents beyond the basketball court.
24. Lewis Hamilton - Dawn Apollo Films
The seven-time F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton, launched his own production company, Dawn Apollo Films. A major project already in the works is an upcoming Formula 1-themed feature film (co-produced with Brad Pitt). This signals his serious entry into film production, extending his legacy beyond racing.
25. Tiger Woods - TGR Productions
Tiger Woods' production arm, TGR Productions, has been involved in documenting his own legendary career and other golf-related content. Its notable work includes the Tiger documentary series. This venture gives him a direct role in shaping the narratives surrounding one of the most iconic figures in sports.
