A joint venture with Chris Paul’s Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment and Connor Schell’s Words + Pictures will create original programming led by Chris Paul and other athletes and creators, utilizing Genius Sports’ data and technology.
Genius Sports (NYSE: GENI), a global leader in sports data and technology, and NBA All-Star and entrepreneur Chris Paul announced today the launch of a new athlete-led sports media company, created in partnership with Chris Paul’s Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment and Connor Schell’s Words + Pictures.
The new company will develop original sports programming and content franchises built on the perspectives of athletes and creators, combining their access and expertise with Genius Sports’ official data, AI, and technology. Chris Paul will headline the first programs, giving fans a new way to see, understand, and feel the game through the lens of one of basketball’s most decorated players.
The company will also build a broad network of athlete and creator talent, developing programming designed to scale across social, digital, and other media platforms.
Connor Schell, Paul’s creative partner and the founder and CEO of Words + Pictures, will lead premium content production and storytelling for the new company. Schell is one of the leading producers and executives in the sports media industry, with a track record that includes projects such as The Last Dance and ESPN’s 30 for 30 series.
For brands, the new company will create new opportunities for sponsorship and integration into original athlete-led programming, data-driven storytelling, and recurring content franchises. Genius Sports will serve as the exclusive commercialization partner for the venture, connecting brand partners with its programming and the broader Genius Sports media ecosystem.
Paul has been working with Genius Sports technology for over a decade, utilizing performance analysis and analytics tools throughout his NBA career to evaluate his own performance, future opponents, and game trends. A 12-time NBA All-Star, four-time All-NBA First Team selection, and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Paul ranks second all-time in career assists and steals.
“The future of sports media belongs to those who can bring fans closer to the game,” said Chris Paul. “Athletes understand the details, the decisions, and the moments that fans don’t always get to see. By partnering with Genius Sports, we can combine that perspective with incredible data and technology to educate fans and tell stories in entirely new ways.”
Through its GeniusIQ platform, Genius Sports provides AI-powered tracking, data, and technology to some of the world’s leading sports leagues, including the WNBA and the English Premier League, collecting billions of data points that can be transformed into new insights and fan experiences.
“Fans increasingly want to hear directly from the athletes who know the game best,” said Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports. “Chris brings a unique perspective, immense connections in the sports world, and a genuine curiosity about how technology can help tell stories better. By combining that with Genius Sports’ data, AI, technology, and media reach, we have the opportunity to build a unique sports media company and a powerful new platform for brands.”
“Chris has always had an incredible ability to see the game differently,” said Connor Schell, founder and CEO of Words + Pictures. “Combining that vision with Genius Sports’ data and technology gives us a powerful foundation to create sports programming that will be fresh, insightful, and entertaining.”
The new company plans to launch its first slate of original programming in the fourth quarter of 2026, led by Chris Paul and powered by Genius Sports’ official sports data and technology. As the company expands, it will add other athletes, creators, programming franchises, and brand partners.
