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Fresh off his first Pro Bowl selection and a huge four-year, $94 million extension with the Raiders, Maxx Crosby is now trying to prove he’s an elite player in the podcast game.
Blue Wire is launching “REAXX,” a new weekly comedy podcast where the defensive end and co-host Roqui Theus give their best takes on general internet and football clips with the help of celebrity and athlete guests.
The podcast network first announced the show in June, along with one from fellow Raider Darren Waller — who will also be one of the first guests on “REAXX.”
“REAXX” will be new territory for Blue Wire: the network’s first YouTube-first show. The show’s format lends itself best to a visual format — rather than the audio-forward traditional podcasts.
“It is definitely a more visual audience experience, so YouTube is the perfect platform,” Crosby told Front Office Sports via email. “It allows the audience to experience the content the same way we are.”
“During development with Maxx, it became clear that this was the right chance to bring the show to life,” Blue Wire CEO Kevin Jones wrote in an email to FOS.
The medium also provides the benefit of easy transition of content into bite-sized pieces for social media; the company will easily be able to throw its branding on content that will go out to Crosby’s considerable social following.
“REAXX” could set a precedent for Blue Wire: Jones notes that YouTube is quickly becoming a more sought-after destination for podcasts, so his company is trying to be nimble.
“We’re committed to acting as a network that helps creators thrive and grow, and that means we have to be open to new opportunities,” he says. “As long as listeners and audience are there, we’ll be there.”
Blue Wire hopes to keep its momentum going after securing a $2.5 million investment in July.
- The company had raised $9M in venture capital funding prior to that latest investment.
- Jones previously told FOS that he expects the company’s revenue to double from $4.9M in 2021, to $10M in 2022.
- Last year, Blue Wire opened a 1,700-square-foot studio at Wynn Las Vegas.
As for Crosby, he’s hoping that this is just the beginning for his burgeoning media career.
“My focus during the season is being the best player, parent and partner I can be, but I am fully committed to building a strong presence in the media space,” he says. “It’s something I think I can do really well in down the road.
“This show allows me to show a little bit of a different side of Maxx Crosby that most people might not expect.”
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