Curry's deal with Sony represents the company's biggest-ever media pact with an athleteNBAE/Getty Images
Sony Pictures Entertainment has "closed a wide-ranging, multiyear development deal" with Warriors G STEPHEN CURRY’s newly formed production company, Unanimous Media, after "intense courting across the industry," according to Marisa Guthrie of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The first-look film and TV deal also "will extend to opportunities in partnerships, electronics, gaming and virtual reality." Curry’s production HQ "will be located on the Sony Pictures studio lot" in Culver City, Calif. Curry "founded Unanimous Media with JERON SMITH and ERICK PEYTON, who serve as CEO and CCO, respectively." Columbia Pictures VP/Production BRYAN SMILEY "shepherded the deal and will oversee production and development with Unanimous for the motion picture group." Sony Pictures Entertainment Exec VP/Brand Strategy & Global Partnerships JEFFREY GODSICK will "oversee partnerships and brand extension opportunities across Sony platforms." Sony Pictures Television co-President CHRIS PARNELL "will oversee TV projects in both the scripted and unscripted space." As for the "ambition and scope of what Curry and his business partners are attempting to pull off, LEBRON JAMES and MAVERICK CARTER’s SpringHill Entertainment would be an apt template" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 4/23). The pact is Sony's "biggest-ever media deal with an athlete" and will "focus on family, faith and sports themes" (DEADLINE.com, 4/23). WME "brokered the deal" (VARIETY.com, 4/23).
RIGHT PLAY FOR CURRY? CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin said of Curry's deal with Sony, “All these Golden State guys have done so well, half of them are venture capitalists now because they're hanging out with Silicon Valley. It’s fascinating just to see the business development.” CNBC contributor Kevin O’Leary said Curry is “really giving up (his) option rights for cash up front." O'Leary: "I don’t love it. (Curry’s) brand is always going to keep growing as long as he keeps winning, and he’s a huge equity asset in the league. Why tie yourself up?” (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 4/24).
DYNAMIC DUO: NBC Sports Bay Area's Kelli Johnson said of Curry and his wife, AYESHA, who has her own cooking show, "The two of them together, everything they touch turns to gold. ... I feel like with the two of them and their whole family, we're going to see a lot of things in the future that could come down to entertainment, acting and what not. Is there going to be a Curry show? I would watch it" ("The Happy Hour," NBC Sports Bay Area, 4/23).
