Athletes have better access to their fanbases than ever before, either through social media or websites like the Players’ Tribune that showcase an athlete’s writing, editing, and/or video skills through first-person pieces.
Now, the players union for the most popular sport in this country wants to get in on the action, as the NFL Players Association on Monday announced that it’s launching a new media company called Athlete Content & Entertainment (ACE Media) that will produce original content by those employed by the league.
Said the NFLPA in a statement: “With consumer demand for exclusive, high-quality sports-related content at an all-time high, ACE Media will begin by leveraging the NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) exclusive group player rights and access to more than 1,800 active players to produce compelling sports-lifestyle content focused on athletes, whom fans would otherwise know solely through their statistics and game highlights.”
Well, that’s not entirely true since NFL players have produced their own content for the Players’ Tribune, the Cauldron, Bleacher Report, and even here at the Daily Dot. But NFL fans can expect plenty of more NFL reading and video material that emanate from the fingertips of those who play. ACE Media also has future plans for scripted and unscripted TV series and audio programming.
“As professional athletes, we have a huge opportunity to offer unbelievable levels of access and authenticity to the fans that support us,” Seahawks All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman said in a statement. “With the launch of ACE Media, we now have a way to seize that opportunity by creating content that no one else can, showing sides of ourselves that you won’t see anywhere else. We’re excited about the content we plan to help create, and we’re excited by the future of this company.”
Broncos All-Pro linebacker Von Miller echoed via stateman: “We’re all about being perfectionists on the field, but there is so much more to each of us when we are off of it. We’re multidimensional, with interesting ideas, pursuits and backgrounds. ACE Media will really be able to lift that curtain and bring some of those stories and ideas to life. Players have been asking for an outlet like this, and we’re excited to create some really cool content that will speak to multiple audiences in our personal voices.”
Already, ACE Media has formed partnerships with BET Networks, Bleacher Report, the Players’ Tribune, and 120 Sports, and the company says, assuming the NFL players make this a successful enterprise, it could expand to include those who play baseball, basketball, soccer, and hockey.
Photo via Matt McGee/Flickr (CC BY ND 2.0)