Religion of Sports: Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2017, Religion of Sports is an award-winning media company headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Co-founded by NFL legends Tom Brady and Michael Strahan, along with filmmaker Gotham Chopra, the company is dedicated to exploring the profound impact of sports on society. Through a diverse range of content—including documentaries, podcasts, feature films, and social media narratives—Religion of Sports delves into the spirituality, science, and humanity that connect elite athletes and fans alike.

Key Strategic Focus

Religion of Sports specializes in producing high-quality, unscripted, documentary-style programming that highlights the deeper narratives within the sports world. The company's core objectives include:

Content Expansion: Developing new intellectual property and scaling its creator network to produce a broader array of content across various platforms.

Diversification: Venturing into scripted series, audio productions, and emerging formats like NFTs to engage audiences in innovative ways.

Global Reach: Establishing strategic partnerships to enhance its international presence and distribution channels.

Financials and Funding

Since its inception, Religion of Sports has successfully secured substantial funding to fuel its growth:

April 2018: Raised $3 million in a venture capital round co-led by Advancit Capital and Courtside Ventures.

June 2020: Secured $10 million to scale content production and build brand awareness.

June 2022: Completed a $50 million Series B funding round led by Shamrock Capital, with participation from Elysian Park Ventures and Cerro Capital. This capital is earmarked for expanding unscripted content, investing in audio and scripted series, and exploring new ventures such as athlete-focused NFTs.

Pipeline Development

Religion of Sports has an impressive portfolio of content, including:

"Tom vs. Time": An Emmy Award-winning series offering an intimate look at Tom Brady's training regimen and personal life.

"Greatness Code": A series featuring elite athletes like LeBron James and Alex Morgan, exploring pivotal moments in their careers.

"Man in the Arena": A documentary series chronicling Tom Brady's Super Bowl appearances.

"Simone vs. Herself": A series following gymnast Simone Biles' journey leading up to the Tokyo Olympics.

The company continues to develop new projects, including collaborations with Showtime, Netflix, and Skydance Sports, as well as a documentary produced by Chris Pratt featuring Olympic wrestler Helen Maroulis.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Religion of Sports leverages a robust technological infrastructure to produce and distribute its content. The company's tech stack includes:

Content Delivery Networks: Utilizing platforms like cdnjs to ensure efficient content distribution.

Database Management: Employing MySQL for data storage and management.

Email Marketing: Using Mailchimp for audience engagement and outreach.

JavaScript Libraries: Implementing tools like Lodash and Hammer.js to enhance web functionalities.

Leadership Team

Gotham Chopra: Co-founder and award-winning filmmaker, Chopra has directed and produced numerous acclaimed sports documentaries, including "Tom vs. Time" and "Greatness Code."

Tom Brady: Co-founder and NFL icon, Brady brings firsthand athlete experience and a deep understanding of sports culture to the company's storytelling approach.

Michael Strahan: Co-founder and former NFL player, Strahan contributes his extensive knowledge of the sports industry and media expertise.

Ameeth Sankaran: CEO, Sankaran oversees the company's strategic direction and business development, leveraging his background in strategy consulting and private equity.

Pietro Moro: COO/CFO, Moro manages the company's operations and financial planning, ensuring sustainable growth and efficiency.

Leadership Changes

In April 2023, Religion of Sports appointed Ben Whitla as its first Chief Marketing Officer. Whitla, formerly the head of brand and creative at Grubhub, brings extensive experience in brand development and marketing strategy to the company.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The sports media industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for authentic and compelling storytelling. The rise of streaming platforms has created opportunities for content creators to reach global audiences, while the integration of emerging technologies like NFTs and interactive media is reshaping audience engagement.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the sports media landscape include:

UNINTERRUPTED: Founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, this platform focuses on empowering athletes to share their stories directly with fans.

PlayersTV: A network dedicated to athlete-driven content, offering a platform for athletes to produce and distribute their own media.

Overtime: A media company targeting younger audiences with short-form content centered around high school and amateur athletes.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Religion of Sports has established several significant partnerships to enhance its content offerings and market reach:

Fox Sports Films: In July 2023, the company partnered with Fox Sports Films to co-produce new and original sports documentaries.

Autograph: Collaborated to release unique digital collectibles featuring athletes like Simone Biles, expanding into the NFT marketplace.

Operational Insights

Religion of Sports differentiates itself through its commitment to exploring the deeper narratives within sports, focusing on themes of human potential, resilience, and cultural impact. The company's ability to collaborate closely with elite athletes and produce high-quality, thought-provoking content positions it uniquely in the competitive sports media landscape.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, Religion of Sports aims to:

Expand Content Offerings: Develop new scripted and unscripted series, podcasts, and feature films that delve into diverse aspects of sports and culture.