Thursday, July 16, 2026

Fanatics Is Already in Apparel, Collectibles, Betting—Now It’s a Content Studio

The sports merchandising giant keeps pushing into new areas, now launching Fanatics Studios to produce video content.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Fanatics, which made its name and business in licensed sports merchandise before pushing into trading cards, betting, and prediction markets, is expanding the scope of its operations again.

This time it’s launching a content studio.

The company has struck a joint venture with Los Angeles–based entertainment studio OBB Media to create Fanatics Studios, which will develop, produce, and distribute a variety of video content, ranging from feature films and documentaries to live events and digital series. 

Before striking this deal for Fanatics Studios, OBB developed a variety of sports-related content, including the Cold As Balls sports interview series with Kevin Hart.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but OBB said it intends for Fanatics Studios to generate nine figures in revenue in its first year.

Fanatics Studios already has deals for upcoming projects with a number of known names:

  • ESPN: Fanatics Studios will coproduce the upcoming ESPYs award show, and also other content to air on ESPN, including a behind-the-scenes special on the company’s own Fanatics Fest.
  • MLB: A similarly multipronged deal includes plans for several original projects, including a docuseries on the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic.
  • WWE: Fanatics Studios will work with WWE on a variety of unscripted and digital shows, and will also develop a culinary series featuring WWE stars Jimmy and Jey Uso. Fanatics has collaborated on several shows already with WWE, and Front Office Sports reported last month that Fanatics has pitched Netflix on additional WWE shows.
  • Tom Brady: Developed along with Shadow Lion, the creative studio founded by the NFL icon and Fox broadcaster, Fanatics Studios will be involved in a docuseries on Brady’s foray into flag football, set to begin this spring at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in March in Saudi Arabia. 
  • LA28: Fanatics Studios will produce the official film for the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The pact between Fanatics and OBB, roughly a year in development, builds upon a prior relationship in which OBB has been a producer and the official content partner of Fanatics Fest, the company’s annual sports fan and collectibles festival in New York. 

Fanatics will work exclusively with OBB on all of its content efforts, while OBB will be exclusive to Fanatics for all of its sports-related projects. The new Fanatics Studios venture will leverage much of the existing infrastructure that OBB has, including studios and back-end technology, but the two companies are also in the midst of hiring additional personnel, including on-air talent. 

OBB’s portfolio and lengthy track record likely helped Fanatics garner the initial set of film projects—including with entities that have their own in-house production capabilities. 

“We feel like we have our pulse on the culture of sports and how to get virality,” OBB Media founder and CEO Michael D. Ratner told FOS. Ratner will also be the CEO of Fanatics Studios. 

“We know what fans are looking for,” Ratner said. “Yes, many of our partners have production capabilities, but I think there’s a bit of a ceiling on what they can do in this space. We can come in with additional energy and culture and work with them to really build up the fan experience.”

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for the
Tuned In Newsletter

Get the latest sports media scoops & insights straight to your inbox once a week.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Adam Friedland

How the World Cup Turned Adam Friedland Into a Sports Pundit

The comedian says he’ll continue to create sports content post–World Cup.
Former NFL Coache Jon Gruden have a laugh while attending an NFL training camp session ten at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Can Jon Gruden Reinvent Himself on Play-by-Play?

Gruden will reportedly call a Buccaneers’ preseason game next month.

MLB’s Stretch Run Will Be Defined By Labor, Stadiums, and Stars

The trade deadline and contending low-budget teams also loom large. 
Mar 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Team USA baseball hat during the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Two Years From LA28, MLB’s Olympic Plan Remains Unsettled

The league and union are still grappling with several logistical issues.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/16/26 – World Cup Final Set, Kawhi Probe, FanDuel VIP Scandal Deepens

0:00

Featured Today

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 2, 2026

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Kansas City Chiefs
July 1, 2026

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA- JULY 13: during the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Heather Barry / Netflix)
Opinion

Netflix Bounces Back With Home Run Derby Debut

After its panned coverage of Opening Night, Netflix focused on the field.
Apr 16, 2026; Fort Worth, TX, USA; A view of the ESPN logo before the semifinals for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics National Championships at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
July 13, 2026

ESPN Blames Human for Headline Error in AI Article

ESPN has been using AI to write certain game recaps since 2024.
John Smoltz acknowledges the crowd during the introduction of returning inductees at the National Baseball Hall of Fame's 2024 induction ceremony Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York.
July 14, 2026

John Smoltz: MLB All-Star Game Is ‘Absolutely’ Still the Best

The Hall of Fame pitcher will call the Midsummer Classic for Fox.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
July 13, 2026

12 States Sue to Block Paramount’s $110B WBD Deal

The plaintiff states point to widespread prospective harms.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
July 13, 2026

ESPN Ending Syndicated Version of ‘Good Morning Football’

‘GMFB: Overtime’ first launched in 2024.
June 25, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Christian Pulisic of the U.S. during the warm up before the match. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
July 13, 2026

Christian Pulisic World Cup Fiasco a Cautionary Tale for Marketers

Commercials featuring Pulisic have been a reminder of his World Cup showing.
July 12, 2026

Netflix Revamps MLB Home Run Derby

The streaming giant will have arguably its biggest baseball presence to date.