3:58:00 PM
.
[Culver City, CA – April 23, 2018] –
After industry-wide competition, Sony Pictures Entertainment today
announced the company has closed a multi-year development and production
deal with superstar athlete Stephen Curry across its film, television, and worldwide partnerships operations in the biggest media deal of any athlete to date.
Curry's newly-formed production company, Unanimous Media, founded by Curry and partners Jeron Smith, Chief Executive Officer, and Erick Peyton,
Chief Creative Officer, will leverage the diversity and breadth of the
studio's content platforms to develop and produce film and television
projects with a focus on family, faith, and sports themes. The deal will
extend to opportunities in partnerships, electronics, gaming, and
virtual reality. Curry's production headquarters will be located on the
Sony Pictures studio lot in Culver City.
"Steph is a transcendent
figure in current culture. His wide-ranging content creation interests
overlap well with our varied businesses and we have been equally
impressed with his team," said Tom Rothman, Chairman, Sony Pictures
Motion Picture Group. "We are honored to have been drafted and now we
know how lucky Golden State feels every day."
"We're thrilled to
work alongside Steph to bring his positive, affirming brand to create
content in the scripted and non-scripted television landscape," said
Chris Parnell, co-president Sony Pictures Television. "He's tapping into
his drive and creative energy on the court to expand to horizons off
the court and we're honored to be a part of it."
Point guard for
the Golden State Warriors and two-time NBA MVP, Stephen Curry stated,
"I've been blessed to have this platform and I want to use it to affect
the world positively. Partnering with Sony to share inspiring content
with a global audience was a foregone conclusion."
"Sony's
broader ecosystem perfectly aligns with our mission, vision and
position. The essence of who Stephen is centers around inspiration and
while there's an immense opportunity here, we see this as an anomalous
adaption of social entrepreneurship. It's deeper than just business,"
said Unanimous Media CEO and Curry's brand strategist, Jeron Smith.
Erick
Peyton who oversees creative at Unanimous Media said, "We are here to
produce projects that shift minds, hearts and industries. Media
influences thought and those thoughts will influence culture."
Bryan Smiley,
vice president, production, Columbia Pictures shepherded the deal and
will oversee production and development with Unanimous Media for the
motion picture group. Jeffrey Godsick, executive vice president,
brand strategy and global partnerships, will oversee partnerships and
brand extension opportunities across Sony platforms. Chris Parnell,
co-president of Sony Pictures Television, will oversee television
projects with Unanimous Media in both the scripted and non-scripted
space.
About Unanimous Media
Unanimous Media is a multimedia production company that produces
television, film and digital content centered around family, faith-based
and sports storytelling. Led by Stephen Curry (Founder), Jeron Smith
(CEO) and Erick Peyton (CCO), Unanimous Media will further expand
Curry's vision to create and disseminate inspirational and authentic
stories to the world.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment
(SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., which is a subsidiary
of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass
motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television
production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital
content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and
development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.
SPE's Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia
Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6
Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional
information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html .
