The NFLPA has "launched an original content business that will create and identify opportunities for its members and other athletes to appear in television shows, Internet shows, games, films and books on a variety of platforms," according to Liz Mullen of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Scott Langerman has "been hired" as Athlete Content & Entertainment CEO, "or ACE Media for short." He will report to an independent BOD "made up of business executives" and NFL Players Inc. President Ahmad Nassar. Nassar: "It’s not the NFLPA’s version of The Players’ Tribune. We are not trying to be a destination site. We are not trying to be an NFLPA television network. What we are trying to be is an enabler and a company that encourages and facilitates the creation of athlete content." Nassar added that media companies, including BET Networks, The Players’ Tribune, Bleacher Report and 120 Sports, have "already signed deals with ACE Media to distribute content." He also said that as of now, ACE Media "has rights to work only with NFL players, but the union is in talks with other sports unions about joining the company." He "would not identify those unions" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/21 issue). Nassar said that ACE is "getting support from its corporate licensees," including Nike, which will "have sponsor-branded content." He added that it would make sense "for other union licensees and NFL sponsors to participate, too." BLOOMBERG NEWS' Scott Soshnick noted ACE will "begin by leveraging the players association’s exclusive rights and access to more than 1,800 active football players." It will also "court athletes from other sports leagues in the U.S. and abroad" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 9/21).
