Joint venture with Paul’s Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment and Connor Schell’s Words + Pictures will create original programming led by Chris Paul and other athletes and creators, powered by 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 today announced the launch of a new athlete-led sports media company created in partnership with Paul’s Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment and Connor Schell’s Words + Pictures.
The new company will develop original sports programming and content franchises built around the perspectives of athletes and creators, combining their access and expertise with Genius Sports’ official data, AI and technology. Its first programming will be hosted by Chris Paul, giving fans a new way to see, understand and experience the game through the perspective of one of basketball’s most accomplished players.
The company will also build a broader 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 founder and CEO of Words + Pictures, will lead premium production and storytelling for the new company. Schell is one of the sports media industry’s leading producers and executives, with a track record that includes The Last Dance and ESPN’s 30 for 30.
For brands, the new company will create new sponsorship and integration opportunities around original athlete-led programming, data-powered storytelling and recurring content franchises. Genius Sports will serve as the exclusive commercialization partner for the venture, connecting brand partners with its programming and Genius Sports’ broader media ecosystem.
Paul has worked with Genius Sports’ technology for more than a decade, using its performance and analytics tools throughout his NBA career to analyze his own performance, upcoming opponents, and trends across the game. 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 the people who can bring fans closer to the game,” said Chris Paul. “Athletes understand the details, decisions and 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 across some of the world’s leading sports leagues, including the WNBA and English Premier League, capturing 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, tremendous relationships across sports and a genuine curiosity about how technology can help tell better stories. By combining that with Genius Sports’ data, AI, technology and media reach, we have an opportunity to build a differentiated 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 perspective with Genius Sports’ data and technology gives us a powerful foundation for creating sports programming that feels fresh, insightful and entertaining.”
The new company expects to launch its first slate of original programming in Q4 2026, led by Chris Paul and powered by Genius Sports’ official sports data and technology. Additional athletes, creators, programming franchises and brand partners will follow as the company expands.
