Key Takeaways
- Fanatics, a sports merchandising giant, is launching a new studio called Fanatics Studios to produce films, documentaries, live events, and digital series tied to sports and culture.
- The studio will create, finance, produce, and distribute projects independently, including feature films, documentaries, unscripted originals, live event specials, and premium digital series.
- Initial projects include the official Olympic film for the LA28 Games, a multipart documentary following Tom Brady, and a partnership with ESPN to produce the 2026 ESPY Awards.
- Fanatics Studios will partner with WWE, MLB, and Fox Sports, among others, to create content that brings fans closer to the action.
- The studio aims to redefine the intersection of sports and pop culture in the global entertainment landscape.
Introduction to Fanatics Studios
Fanatics, the sports merchandising giant best known for jerseys and collectibles, is moving deeper into entertainment by launching a studio that will produce films, documentaries, live events, and digital series tied to sports and culture. The company announced the launch of Fanatics Studios, a new content arm with initial projects that are set to excite fans and bring them closer to the action. With this move, Fanatics is adding a major content arm to its growing sports platform, which already includes apparel, collectibles, betting, and live events like Fanatics Fest.
The Vision Behind Fanatics Studios
The vision behind Fanatics Studios is to create content that brings fans closer to the teams, players, sports, cultural moments, and events that they love. According to Fanatics founder Michael Rubin, the company is committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience by creating content that has never been done before. Rubin will partner with Michael Ratner, CEO of OBB Media, to lead the new studio. Ratner will serve as CEO of Fanatics Studios while continuing to run OBB’s other businesses. The partnership aims to redefine what is possible at the intersection of sports and pop culture, which is at the heart of the global entertainment landscape.
Initial Projects and Partnerships
Fanatics Studios has already announced several initial projects, including the official Olympic film for the LA28 Games, a multipart documentary following seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, and a partnership with ESPN to produce the 2026 ESPY Awards. The studio will also oversee Olympic-related projects highlighting athletes, culture, and defining moments of the Games. Other partnerships will include WWE, MLB, and Fox Sports, among others. One of the studio’s early projects is "One More Drive," a documentary series tracking Brady as he prepares for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic and explores a potential run at Team USA as flag football makes its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The Future of Fanatics Studios
The launch of Fanatics Studios marks a significant expansion of Fanatics’ sports platform, which is already a major player in the industry. With its new content arm, the company is poised to become an even more dominant force in the world of sports and entertainment. According to Rubin, the studio will continue to push the mission of enhancing the fan experience by creating content that brings fans closer to the action. With its initial projects and partnerships, Fanatics Studios is off to a strong start, and fans can expect to see more exciting content in the future. The studio will hold a launch event in Los Angeles to celebrate its debut and showcase its upcoming projects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the launch of Fanatics Studios is a significant development in the world of sports and entertainment. With its focus on creating content that brings fans closer to the action, the studio is poised to redefine the intersection of sports and pop culture. With its initial projects and partnerships, Fanatics Studios is off to a strong start, and fans can expect to see more exciting content in the future. As the sports and entertainment landscapes continue to evolve, Fanatics Studios is well-positioned to be a major player in the industry, and its impact will be felt for years to come.