When fans think of athletes, they usually think of championships and packed stadiums. In recent years, however, many professional athletes have expanded their careers beyond the field and into the film and television industry.
From documentaries to animated films, athletes are increasingly stepping into production roles within entertainment. Notable figures such as Peyton Manning with Omaha Productions, Steph Curry with Unanimous Media and Kobe Bryant with Granity Studios all have made significant moves in Hollywood.
Their success raises a new question: Why are athletes who are thriving in professional sports choosing to branch out into the entertainment industry?
Some viewers believe the unpredictable nature of sports careers encourage athletes to explore other opportunities. PV senior Aayan Grewal said longevity plays a role.
“I think they are trying to stay relevant after they retire,” Grewal said. “Sports don’t last forever.”
Professional sports careers are often short and carry significant risks because of injuries and physical demands.. As a result, many athletes are creating production companies that allow them to build careers beyond competition. Their platforms also allow them to tell stories that matter to them.
In many cases, those projects have proven successful both critically and commercially.
Bryant won the Academy Award for best animated short film in 2018 for “Dear Basketball.” The six-minute animated film, based on a poem Bryant wrote announcing his retirement, reflected on his lifelong relationship with basketball and resonated with audiences worldwide.
Manning’s Omaha Productions has produced sports-centered programming such as ManningCast, which features Manning alongside his brother Eli Manning. The company has also produced Peyton’s Places, an unscripted series exploring the history of the NFL, as well as the Netflix shows Quarterback and Receiver.
Meanwhile, Curry’s company Unanimous Media recently released the animated film GOAT, which has already drawn major attention at the box office.
The film tells the story of an underdog goat competing in a fictional sport called Roarball. The cast includes actors Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union and David Harbour. Within its first 10 days of release, the movie earned more than $100 million globally.
PV seniors Amal Kidangayil and Sumedh Rajurkar said they plan to watch the film in theaters.
“I saw the trailer in January, and the movie looked really fun and definitely worth checking out,” Kidangayil said.
From documentaries to television series and feature films, athletes are becoming increasingly involved in entertainment. Rajurkar believes this trend will only continue.
“I think athlete-produced movies are here to stay,” Rajurkar said. “One day they might even dominate the industry.”
As more athletes invest in storytelling and media production, their influence in Hollywood appears likely to grow—proving that success off the field can sometimes rival achievements on it.
