Image Source: Jessica Golden
Key Takeaways:
- Fanatics launches Fanatics Studios, a media and entertainment studio, as a joint venture with OBB Media
- The studio will create, produce, and distribute content at the intersection of sports and culture, including feature films, documentaries, and live events
- Fanatics Studios expects to record nine-figure revenue in its first year of operation and has a slate of projects, including a content partnership for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
- The company aims to enhance the fan experience by creating content that brings fans closer to their favorite teams, players, and sports
Introduction to Fanatics Studios
Fanatics, the sports merchandising giant, has announced the launch of Fanatics Studios, a media and entertainment studio established as a joint venture with OBB Media. According to the company, Fanatics Studios will "create, produce and distribute content at the intersection of sports and culture," including feature films, documentaries, scripted and unscripted content, live events, and digital series. This move marks a significant expansion of Fanatics’ reach into the world of sports and entertainment, and is expected to have a major impact on the industry.
The Vision Behind Fanatics Studios
As Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin stated, "I’m incredibly excited about launching Fanatics Studios and adding an important content and media business to our growing sports platform that also supports all of our existing businesses." Rubin’s vision for Fanatics Studios is to create content that brings fans closer to the teams, players, sports, cultural moments, and events that they love. As he noted, "Together, we are going to continue pushing our mission of relentlessly enhancing the fan experience by creating content that brings fans closer than ever to the teams, players, sports, cultural moments and events that they love in a way that’s never been done before." With this goal in mind, Fanatics Studios is poised to become a major player in the world of sports and entertainment.
The Partnership with OBB Media
The partnership between Fanatics and OBB Media is a key component of the launch of Fanatics Studios. OBB Media founder and CEO Michael Ratner will serve as CEO of the company, bringing his expertise and experience in the entertainment industry to the table. As Ratner and Rubin work together to build Fanatics Studios, they will be able to leverage the resources and expertise of both companies to create high-quality content that resonates with fans. With OBB Media’s track record of producing engaging and innovative content, the partnership is expected to yield exciting results.
The Business Side of Fanatics Studios
From a business perspective, the launch of Fanatics Studios is a significant move for the company. Fanatics estimates that the new content studio will record nine-figure revenue in its first year of operation, making it a meaningful part of the business. As a person familiar with the matter noted, Fanatics now employs more than 22,000 people and is valued at more than $30 billion. The company expects $13 billion in revenue in 2026, and the addition of Fanatics Studios is expected to contribute to this growth. With a slate of projects already in the works, including a content partnership for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a flag football tournament taking place in Saudi Arabia, and a multipart documentary on seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, Fanatics Studios is poised to make a major impact on the sports and entertainment industry.
Upcoming Projects and Partnerships
Fanatics Studios has a number of exciting projects and partnerships in the works, including collaborations with ESPN, WWE, and Major League Baseball. As the company continues to build its slate of content, fans can expect to see a wide range of innovative and engaging projects that bring them closer to the sports and teams they love. Whether it’s through feature films, documentaries, or live events, Fanatics Studios is committed to creating content that resonates with fans and enhances their experience. As Rubin noted, "We are going to continue pushing our mission of relentlessly enhancing the fan experience by creating content that brings fans closer than ever to the teams, players, sports, cultural moments and events that they love in a way that’s never been done before." With this goal in mind, the future of Fanatics Studios looks bright.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/13/fanatics-sports-media-entertainment-studio.html