Religion of Sports

What Religion of Sports does

Religion of Sports is a Santa Monica-based sports media production studio founded in 2017 by filmmaker Gotham Chopra and NFL legends Tom Brady and Michael Strahan. The company produces premium documentary and docuseries content — including series, feature films, branded campaigns, and podcasts — focused on the human narratives of elite athletes. Its portfolio spans more than 25 titles including Man in the Arena (ESPN+), Simone Biles Rising (Netflix), Tom vs Time (Facebook), McGregor Forever (Netflix), Goliath (Showtime), Greatness Code (Apple TV+), and Alex vs ARod (HBO), supported by in-house sub-brands ROS Labs (creative studio) and GOAL POST (post-production). The studio has won five Sports Emmy Awards since launch and earned additional Emmy nominations for editing and cinematography.

The company's business model is B2B content licensing and production services. Revenue is generated through one-time content licensing fees from major streaming platforms (Netflix, Paramount+, ESPN+, HBO, Hulu, Apple TV+, Showtime, Amazon Prime Video, AMC, Roku), branded content partnerships with corporate sponsors (GEICO, GMC, Under Armour, Nike), social-first campaigns, and podcast production partnerships (PRX). Athlete-centric relationships are the core go-to-market motion: co-founders and elite athletes serve as executive producers, subjects, and brand ambassadors, attracting streaming distribution and brand sponsorship. Production is anchored in Los Angeles with a global footprint following the 2023 acquisition of UK-based studio Jiva Maya. Total funding raised is $66 million across multiple rounds, with the most recent being a $50 million Series B led by Shamrock Capital in June 2022, explicitly allocated for growth, acquisitions, and project development.

Name

Religion of Sports

Legal name

The Religion of Sports Media, Inc.

Website

https://religionofsports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Religion of Sports is a Santa Monica-based sports media studio that produces premium documentary, docuseries, and branded content for major streaming platforms and corporate sponsors, founded by Gotham Chopra, Tom Brady, and Michael Strahan in 2017.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Streaming Platform Licensing: ROS produces docuseries and films that are licensed to major streaming platforms including Netflix, Paramount+, ESPN+, HBO, Hulu, Apple TV+, Showtime, Amazon Prime Video, AMC, and Roku. Revenue is generated through content licensing fees and production deals.
2. Branded Content Partnerships: ROS creates branded docuseries and campaigns for corporate sponsors such as GEICO, GMC, Under Armour, and Nike. These partnerships involve producing content that showcases sponsor products and messaging while telling compelling sports stories.
3. Series B Funding: The company raised $50 million in Series B funding led by Shamrock Capital, bringing total raised to $66 million, to be used for growth, acquisitions, and project development.
4. Social Media Campaigns: ROS produces social-first content campaigns for brands, such as the Coco Gauff x Naked Juice partnership, creating multi-platform content across social channels.
5. Podcast Production: ROS partners with PRX for award-nominated podcasts such as False Idol and Crushed, generating revenue through podcast production and content partnerships.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels12 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Religion of Sports is a full-service sports media production studio that produces premium documentaries, docuseries, feature films, podcasts, and branded content centered on elite athletes for major streaming platforms (Netflix, ESPN+, HBO, Hulu, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Showtime, Amazon, AMC, Roku) and corporate brand partners (GEICO, GMC, Under Armour, Nike). The studio operates from creative conception through final delivery, supported by internal divisions ROS Labs (multidisciplinary creative studio with animation and emerging technologies) and GOAL POST (post-production).

Product overview

Religion of Sports is a full-service sports media production studio based in Los Angeles, founded in 2017 by Gotham Chopra, Tom Brady, and Michael Strahan. The company produces premium documentary and docuseries content across multiple formats including series, features, and branded content for major streaming platforms. The portfolio includes athlete-focused docuseries (Man in the Arena, In The Arena: Serena Williams, Tom vs Time), branded partnerships with Under Armour, Nike, GEICO, and GMC, sports documentary features (Kobe Bryant's Muse, Goliath, McGregor Forever), and regional/event-specific content (Made for March, Believers: Boston Red Sox, Rise of the 49ers). The company operates through sub-brands including ROS Labs (creative studio) and GOAL POST (post-production), and has garnered five Sports Emmy Awards. Content is distributed through partnerships with HBO, ESPN, Netflix, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, AMC, Hulu, Showtime, Apple TV+, Roku, NBC, FOX Sports, and Direct TV.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROS Labs: A multidisciplinary creative studio within Religion of Sports, led by Lauren Fisher as VP.
• GOAL POST

Products and services

• Man in the Arena: Tom Brady (ESPN+ Docuseries) Premium sports documentary docuseries where Tom Brady deconstructs the milestones of his legendary NFL career through his Super Bowl appearances; distributed on ESPN+ and produced for sports audiences seeking deeper storytelling than box scores.
• Simone Biles Rising (Netflix Docuseries) Netflix docuseries following Simone Biles's comeback from mental health withdrawal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics; targeted at global streaming audiences seeking premium athlete-driven mental health and resilience storytelling.
• McGregor Forever (Netflix Docuseries) Netflix docuseries exploring Conor McGregor's rise in the UFC, his fighting style and persona that made him the sport's biggest draw; distributed globally on Netflix for combat sports audiences.
• Greatness Code (Apple TV+ Series) Apple TV+ docuseries where legendary athletes break down the most pivotal memories of their careers; targeted at premium streaming audiences seeking short-form, athlete-centered storytelling.
• In The Arena: Serena Williams (ESPN+ Docuseries) ESPN+ docuseries exploring tennis legend Serena Williams's career with 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 4 Olympic gold medals, alongside her advocacy for women's rights and social justice.
• Alex vs ARod (HBO Docuseries) HBO docuseries exploring the dualities of Alex Rodriguez's baseball career through intimate interviews, examining his rise, fall, and personal growth.
• Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story (Hulu Docuseries) Hulu docuseries following the history of Bon Jovi, featuring personal videos, photos, and music providing a look at Jon Bon Jovi's life and the band's journey from New Jersey clubs to global fame.
• Built in Birmingham: Brady & The Blues (Amazon Series) Amazon Prime Video documentary chronicling Birmingham City FC's transformation under new ownership including Tom Brady's involvement, through relegation and coaching changes to their promotion-winning Championship season.
• Believers: Boston Red Sox (ESPN Series) ESPN Original Series chronicling the 2004 Boston Red Sox's historic postseason comeback and the emotional journey of a city and fanbase.
• Goliath (Showtime Three-Part Series) Three-part Showtime series chronicling the life of Wilt Chamberlain and his contribution to American history from high school in the 1950s until his death in 1999.
• Why We Fight (Docuseries) Immersive docuseries diving into the worlds of fighters across the globe, joining them as they train and prepare for high-stakes fights.
• Religion of Sports (Original Docuseries) Original flagship docuseries exploring why sports matter, traveling the world to answer fundamental questions about human athletic pursuit; launched on DirecTV in 2017.
• Tom vs Time (Facebook Watch Docuseries) Facebook Watch docuseries providing an inside look at how Tom Brady balances his off-season training, celebrity status, and family life; one of the company's earliest Emmy-winning productions.
• Kobe Bryant's Muse (Showtime Feature Documentary) Showtime feature documentary going behind the stats to reveal Kobe Bryant's career, exploring mentorships, allies, and rivalries that shaped his 18-year NBA tenure.
• Passion Play: Russell Westbrook (Showtime Documentary) Showtime documentary chronicling the life and career of Russell Westbrook, one of the greatest point guards of all time, during his 2021-22 season.
• Stephen vs The Game (Facebook Watch Docuseries) Facebook Watch docuseries introducing Stephen Curry's journey to the NBA, his accomplishments, and what he had to overcome to become the best shooting guard in league history.
• Destination NBA: A G League Odyssey (Documentary) Amazon Prime Video documentary giving viewers access to basketball's brightest prospects as they participate in the NBA G League during the 2023-24 season.
• Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing (Netflix Series) Netflix three-part docu-series exploring competitive ice dance, following elite pairs on the road to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
• Aaron Rodgers: Enigma (Docuseries) Docuseries following NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he rebounds from an Achilles injury, chronicling defining moments of his life and career.
• Headstrong (Mental Health Documentary) Documentary following four elite athletes who have faced mental health challenges: Justise Winslow, Nathan Braaten, Hayden Hurst, and Clint Malarchuk.
• The Sessions: Draymond Green (Feature Film) Feature film where NBA player Draymond Green embarks on a quest for mental well-being under the spiritual guidance of wellness experts Deepak Chopra and Devi Brown.
• Made for March (Paramount+/CBS Sports/BTN Docuseries) Four-part docuseries chronicling the University of Kansas Jayhawks and University of Michigan Wolverines' bid for a national championship during the 2025-2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Season; produced with CBS Sports and the Big Ten Network.
• Rise of the 49ers (AMC Docuseries) AMC four-part docuseries utilizing rare NFL Films footage to chronicle the San Francisco 49ers' championship run during the 1980s and early 1990s, narrated by Tom Brady.
• The Fastest Six Weeks in Sports (Roku Docuseries) Six-part Roku docuseries following WNBA draft prospects Georgia Amoore and Sania Feagin through the 45 days between the NCAA Championship and WNBA tip-off.
• Margin Of Victory (Under Armour Branded Content) Under Armour branded content exploring the tiny, incremental strategies that elite athletes use to separate themselves from the competition.
• 2,974 and Counting (Under Armour Branded Content) Under Armour branded content celebrating Stephen Curry becoming the greatest 3-point shooter ever.
• Nike Well Collective (Nike Branded Campaign) Nike branded campaign discussing the importance of mental health, featuring Megan Thee Stallion.
• Miles That Matter (GEICO Branded Docuseries) GEICO branded docuseries capturing the journeys of basketball players Azzi Fudd, Trey McKenney, and Napheesa Collier and the support systems that lifted them.
• Coco Gauff x Naked Juice (Branded Campaign) Multi-platform branded campaign celebrating the launch of Coco Gauff's custom Naked Smoothie, blending scripted storytelling and social-first content.
• NST x GMC (Branded Content Series) Branded content series celebrating athletes Travis Rice, Cam Zink, and Coco Ho who are redefining what's possible in surf, bike, and snow, in partnership with GMC and the Natural Selection Tour.
• ROS Labs (Multidisciplinary Creative Studio) Multidisciplinary creative studio within Religion of Sports specializing in animation, live-action, and cutting-edge technologies for immersive narratives; led by VP of Development and Executive Creative Director Lauren Fisher.
• GOAL POST (Post-Production Services) Post-production division within Religion of Sports, led by VP of Post Production Gloria Coronado, providing finishing services for the studio's documentary and docuseries portfolio.
• Sports Podcast Production (False Idol, Crushed) Award-nominated podcast productions including False Idol and Crushed, produced in partnership with PRX to expand Religion of Sports content offerings beyond video.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 Sports Emmy Awards since launch in 2017, including Outstanding Documentary Series for 'Man in the Arena: Tom Brady' in 2022
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• CBS SportscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Production partner for 'Made for March' docuseries following University of Michigan and University of Kansas basketball programs.
• Big Ten NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Production partner for 'Made for March' docuseries, marking first all-access documentary ever granted by Michigan and Kansas basketball programs.
• Natural Selection TourstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Partnership to produce dynamic social film series celebrating athletes redefining what's possible in surf, bike and snow, with GMC as Official Truck partner.
• GMCstrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2026Official Truck of Natural Selection Tour partnership, producing content to authentically connect GMC with adventure sports audiences through storytelling.
• AMC StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Co-production partner for 'Rise of the 49ers' docuseries, a 4-part series exploring San Francisco 49ers' championship run during 1980s and early 1990s.
• Skydance SportscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Co-production partner for 'Rise of the 49ers' docuseries alongside AMC Studios, NFL Films, and Religion of Sports.
• NFL FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Co-production partner providing rare and never-before-seen footage for 'Rise of the 49ers' docuseries.
• Amazon MGM StudiosstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Religion of Sports (via Tom Brady) attached to produce 'Play by Play' sports film starring Jake Gyllenhaal, continuing relationship through Nine Stories banner.
• EnsemblestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2025Partner in women's sports programming slate 'Next Is Now' to develop content focused on women's basketball and emerging female athletes.
• Deep Blue Sports + EntertainmentstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2025Partner in women's sports programming slate 'Next Is Now' to develop content focused on women's basketball and emerging female athletes.
• Jiva MayastrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023UK-based studio acquired by Religion of Sports in 2023, marking the company's global expansion.
• Skydance MediacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership to expand into scripted content creation alongside Religion of Sports' existing documentary capabilities.
• PRXminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership for award-nominated podcasts including 'False Idol' and 'Crushed', expanding content offerings beyond video.
• The RingerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent partner for 'Destination NBA: A G League Odyssey' documentary.
• GEICOstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerBranded content partner for 'Miles That Matter' docuseries produced in partnership with NCAA during March Madness, highlighting basketball stars.
• Paramount Sports EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction and distribution partner for 'Made for March' and '5-Star' docuseries.
• Artists EquityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for 'Believers: Boston Red Sox' docuseries.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Box to Box Films: UK-based sports documentary production company behind Netflix's 'Formula 1: Drive to Survive', 'Full Swing', and 'Sprint'. Closest direct competitor to ROS in the premium sports docuseries-for-streamers category, with comparable Emmy-caliber output and global platform distribution.
• Mandalay Sports Media: Sports-focused media venture that produces documentaries, feature films, and branded content featuring elite athletes (Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Peyton Manning). Highly comparable business model, athlete relationships, and content distribution approach to Religion of Sports.
• Uninterrupted: Athlete-driven media company co-founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter producing premium sports content across digital and streaming. Competitor for both athlete access and streaming platform deals, with a similar celebrity-anchored business model.
• Overtime: Sports media company producing short-form and long-form sports content for a Gen Z audience, including docuseries and original programming. Competes with ROS for athlete partnerships and brand sponsorships in the sports-content space, though with a more digitally-native focus.

Broad incumbents

• ESPN Films / 30 for 30: ESPN's long-running documentary division and the iconic '30 for 30' franchise. Established incumbent in the sports documentary category; competes for premium sports storytelling projects and for streaming/sports network licensing budgets.
• NFL Films: Long-established sports content production arm of the NFL, producing the most extensive sports documentary library in existence. Direct collaborator with ROS on 'Rise of the 49ers' but also a structural competitor for premium football storytelling and league-rights access.
• Skydance Sports: Sports content arm of Skydance Media, producing docuseries and scripted sports content. Current strategic co-production partner with ROS but also a competitor in the sports-documentary-for-streamers category with significantly larger parent-company resources.
• Wasserman: Global sports marketing and talent representation agency with a content division (Wasserman Studios) producing branded sports content. Adjacent competitor for branded-content and athlete-narrative production, with broader talent representation capabilities.

Emerging players

• The Players' Tribune: Athlete-first storytelling platform founded by Derek Jeter, producing first-person longform, podcasts, and video content. Direct adjacent competitor for athlete-narrative content; comparable business model but historically more text/digital-first than ROS's premium video focus.
• Religion of Sports-adjacent: Main Stay Productions / Main Street Advisors (sports media): Smaller-scale sports and entertainment production company producing premium sports documentary content for streamers. Comparable in stage and approach to ROS but with a narrower athlete roster and platform footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/religionofsport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEX1TT5u8pUdfOau_wDgaKg
• Facebookfacebook.com/religionofsports
• Instagraminstagram.com/religionofsports
• TikToktiktok.com/@religionofsports?lang=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/religion-of-sports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors15 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Religion of Sports