NFL and Skydance Media Partner to expand Skydance Sports into the preeminent global sports content studio
Joint venture between legendary NFL storyteller and leading content company to produce sports media across broad spectrum of genres in scripted and unscripted programming
The NFL, NFL Films and Skydance Media today announced a partnership to create the premier global multi-sports production studio in the industry with Skydance Sports. The joint venture brings together one of the most decorated storytellers in sports television production history, and an award-winning media company with a proven track record and expertise in scripted film, TV, and interactive content. Via this exclusive partnership with the NFL, Skydance Sports and NFL Films will now team up to significantly expand multi-platform programming across sports in a broad range of formats for partners, fans, and viewers around the world.
Both the NFL, through its strategic investment arm 32 Equity, and Skydance Media are making substantial investments to launch this joint venture.
«This partnership truly matches two companies who are considered among the best at what they do,» said NFL Chief Media and Business Officer, Brian Rolapp. «Combining the unscripted expertise and storytelling of NFL Films with Skydance’s leadership position in TV, film, animation, and other areas will create the leading sports content studio in the world.»
“We could not be prouder to partner with the NFL to build Skydance Sports into the premiere global sports content studio. Being in business with the most prestigious and far-reaching brands in sport is an honor, and the opportunities for storytelling, consumer resonance and success are endless,” said David Ellison, CEO of Skydance Media. “With the power and expertise of the NFL, NFL Films and Skydance Media, Skydance Sports is poised to deliver some of the most compelling sports content of our generation.”
Skydance films include last summer’s box office record-breaking Top Gun: Maverick which earned nearly $1.5B and was the #1 film in Paramount’s 100+ year history. Skydance Sports initially launched earlier this year and just completed production on its first two projects for Amazon Prime Video: the soccer docuseries Good Rivals and an untitled Air Jordan film starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and directed by Affleck. Now, as the basis of this new venture, Skydance Sports will expand its reach and expertise as it harnesses the partnership to respond to the significant market demand for non-game sports content, both scripted and unscripted, that will lean into the strengths of both NFL Films and Skydance Media.
For 60 years, NFL Films has been recognized as an industry leader in sports storytelling, especially in unscripted programming such as the award-winning series Hard Knocks. With 136 Sports Emmy® Awards to its credit, NFL Films remains a gold standard in premium sports content, providing an elevated and connected viewer experience with unprecedented access to the sport of professional football. NFL Films will continue to produce its full slate of award-winning programming and will work within the partnership to develop and produce a new array of content.
«The team at NFL Films is incredibly excited by this partnership and the opportunity it presents to take the next step in our evolution,» said NFL Films Senior Executive, Ross Ketover. «Through this new venture, we will be able to expand our storytelling acumen into different areas of content by tapping into the expertise and creativity of a highly accomplished media company in Skydance.»
“When we set the vision of Skydance Sports a year ago, we aspired to create a pipeline for the very best sports storytelling,” said Skydance Media President & COO, Jesse Sisgold. “Partnering with the NFL and NFL Films gives us the power, privilege and expertise to do this at the highest level possible all while celebrating sports, teams, and athletes around the world.”
