Genius Sports, NBA star Chris Paul’s Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment and Connor Schell’s Words + Pictures are joining forces for a new sports media company to develop content built on the perspectives of athletes and creators.
The first slate from the as-yet-unnamed JV is expected to arrive in Q4.
The new firm will leverage Genius Sports’ data and technology, Words + Pictures’ content chops, and Paul’s stature among athletes and fans. Paul (12-time NBA All-Star, four-time All-NBA First Team selection, and two-time Olympic gold medalist) will host its first programming, while the venture builds a broader network of athlete and creator relationships.
Schell, Paul’s creative partner and founder and CEO of Words + Pictures, will lead premium production and storytelling for the new company. His credits include The Last Dance and ESPN’s 30 for 30. Sponsorship and integration opportunities will be available to brands, with Genius Sports serving as the exclusive commercialization partner for the venture.
“The future of sports media belongs to the people who can bring fans closer to the game,” said Paul. “Athletes understand the details, decisions and moments that fans don’t always get to see. By partnering with Genius Sports, we can combine that perspective with incredible data and technology to educate fans and tell stories in entirely new ways.”
“Fans increasingly want to hear directly from the athletes who know the game best,” said Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports. “Chris brings a unique perspective, tremendous relationships across sports and a genuine curiosity about how technology can help tell better stories. By combining that with Genius Sports’ data, AI, technology and media reach, we have an opportunity to build a differentiated sports media company and a powerful new platform for brands.”
“Chris has always had an incredible ability to see the game differently,” said Schell. “Combining that perspective with Genius Sports’ data and technology gives us a powerful foundation for creating sports programming that feels fresh, insightful and entertaining.”
