Audrey Richardson | The Washington Post | Getty Images
Fanatics Studios will create, produce and distribute content at the intersection of sports and culture, the company said in a press release. This includes feature films, documentaries, scripted and unscripted content, live events and digital series.
OBB Media founder and CEO Michael Ratner will serve as CEO of the company.
“I am incredibly excited about the launch of Fanatics Studios and adding a major content and media company to our growing sports platform that also supports all of our existing businesses,” Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin said in a statement.
Rubin acquired e-commerce site Fanatics in 2011 and has built the company into a cross-industry juggernaut. Fanatics has expanded its reach among sports fans through collectibles, sports betting, live shopping and events.
Fanatics now employs more than 22,000 people and is valued at more than $30 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter. The company expects $13 billion turnover in 2026.
Fanatics estimates the new content studio will post nine-figure revenues in its first year of operation, making it a meaningful part of the company, the person said.
The company already has a series of projects, including serving as a content partner for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a flag football tournament taking place in Saudi Arabia and a multi-part documentary about seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Fanatics Studios will also do projects with ESPN, WWE and Major League Baseball, the company said.
“Together, we will continue our mission to relentlessly improve the fan experience by creating content that brings fans closer than ever to the teams, players, sports, cultural moments and events they love in a way never before,” said Rubin.
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