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Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MLB Invests in Jomboy Media, Embracing Creator Content
Major League Baseball and Jomboy Media announced a partnership Tuesday that includes MLB acquiring a minority stake in the digital sports media brand. The size of the investment was not disclosed, though it is believed to be the league's first direct investment in a creator-led content company. MLB's investment comes from its Baseball Endowment L.P. (BELP) fund, valued at more than $1 billion according to the Atlanta Braves' most recent SEC filings, which was recently used to acquire a stake in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League as well. Advertisement More from In addition to equity, the tie-up includes access to MLB events, IP and sponsorship connections for Jomboy, while the league looks to benefit from Jomboy Media's ability to reach casual fans online. 'Having a strong content creator community is going to be good for baseball in the long run,' MLB EVP, media and business development Kenny Gersh said in an interview. Jimmy 'Jomboy' O'Brien and Jake Storiale started the company in 2017 with a Yankees-focused podcast before expanding to cover the entire league—and other sports too. Last year, the company tallied 93 million engagements across social media and achieved $10 million in revenue. Advertisement Jomboy Media raised $5 million in 2022 in a round led by Connect Ventures, an investment partnership between Creative Artists Agency and New Enterprise Associates. Connect cofounder Jack Davis, a Jomboy board member, helped put the latest deal together, working with recently promoted Jomboy Media CEO Courtney Hirsch. 'It's kind of surreal,' Hirsch said. 'It just shows how important creators are when it comes to sports. It recognizes the fact that meeting people on digital platforms is a way to grow the game. And it shows that our community-centric approach is just really valued and being recognized by the league itself. It just kind of gives us chills.' Hirsch added that the new relationship won't change Jomboy's approach when it comes to the way the company's talent covers the game and its players. Jomboy Media also runs its own lighthearted sports league and corresponding show, 'The Warehouse Games.' Gersh said MLB's work with Jomboy came mainly through the league's media department as baseball looks to foster more connections with online voices. A decade ago, executives took heat for being relatively restrictive with digital rights compared to peer sports. Recently MLB has been more encouraging—both to outsiders and to its own—by recognizing the value of virtual conversation. Advertisement In April, MLB announced an expanded partnership with Boardroom that included player-driven online storytelling. 'We are focused, as we have been, on helping to amplify content creators' voices,' Gersh said, 'We will look for ways with other potential content creators to make sure that they have a platform to continue to produce baseball-related content.' Baseball is witnessing a surge of interest, including post-pandemic highs in attendance, Sunday Night Baseball viewership and streaming usage over the last year. The league's own social handles have also swelled, including a roughly 70% year-over-year gain on X from late 2023 to late 2024. Best of Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Major League Baseball Acquires Stake in Creator-Led Jomboy Media
Major League Baseball is getting into business with one of the sport's top creators. The league is acquiring a stake in Jomboy Media, with the company and MLB set to strike a strategic partnership that will lead to the development of new content and IP. Jomboy is led by CEO Courtney Hirsch, who was elevated to the role in March, as well as founders Jimmy O'Brien and Jake Storiale. Advertisement More from The Hollywood Reporter Jomboy's content includes Talkin' Baseball and Talkin' Yanks as well as The Warehouse Games, which applies TV-level production to backyard pick up games. MLB says it will work with Jomboy to get MLB stars and celebrities to participate. Jomboy is also known for his signature 'breakdown' videos on YouTube and other social platforms, including sports highlights, but also pop culture events like his breakdown of the Will Smith-Chris Rock Oscars slap heard round the world. 'I continue to be amazed by what our community enables us to do through their endless support,' O'Brien says. 'When we started talking about baseball on the internet, it was just a fun hobby. Our community is the reason we've been able to turn this from 'just a hobby,' into something bigger than we ever could've imagined. Partnering with MLB marks a huge moment for Jomboy Media, and through this partnership, we'll be able to give back to our community with storytelling that's deeper than ever before.' Advertisement 'We have long admired the passionate fandom of Jimmy O'Brien and his unique ability to connect with baseball fans,' added Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner for business and media. 'This partnership will ensure that Jomboy Media will have the resources and access to MLB intellectual property necessary to help it continue to grow. We are looking forward to bringing baseball fans more entertaining content to help further expand baseball's online presence and deeper the connection between our sport and its fans.' MLB has its own in-house studio, but the deal with Jomboy gives it a stake not only in an outside media company, but also a slice of the creator economy, which has become a critical part of the live sports puzzle for every major league. 'This partnership with MLB is a major milestone for Jomboy Media,' said Hirsch. 'We've always believed that deep storytelling and our unique approach to content and community can grow the game — and now we're excited to do that alongside the league itself. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to scale what we do best and reach more fans than ever.' Jomboy's investors include producer Jack Davis, who is said to be critical to this deal getting done, Connect Ventures, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Eli Roth, Cameron Fuller, WWE, Quinn Cook, Billy Crystal, Josh Hader, Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, current and former Major League Baseball players Christian Yelich, C.C. Sabathia, Noah Syndergaard and Trea Turner, and NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns. Advertisement Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Toronto Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
MLB acquires stake in Jomboy Media to expand digital presence
Published Jun 10, 2025 • 1 minute read FILE - The Major League Baseball logo is seen on the field before a spring training baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Bradenton, Fla. Photo by Charlie Neibergall / AP Major League Baseball has agreed on a strategic partnership with Jomboy Media and will acquire a stake in the company. The two sides announced the deal on Tuesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Jomboy Media will be used across MLB's digital channels. MLB will also help grow Jomboy Media's other shows, including Talkin' Baseball , Talkin' Yanks , and The Warehouse Games . Both sides are also expected to collaborate on IP growth and ad opportunities around MLB's key events, including the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. According to the release, Jomboy Media set revenue and profitability records last year, and had more than 93 million engagements on social media. Jomboy Media was founded by Jimmy 'Jomboy' O'Brien and Jake Storiale in 2017. 'We have long admired the passionate fandom of Jimmy O'Brien and his unique ability to connect with baseball fans,' Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner, business and media, said in a statement. 'This partnership will ensure that Jomboy Media will have the resources and access to MLB intellectual property necessary to help it continue to grow. We are looking forward to bringing baseball fans more entertaining content to help further expand baseball's online presence and deeper the connection between our sport and its fans.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jomboy Media's key property is 'The Warehouse Games,' a league modeled after classic backyard games. The series has nearly 400 million all-time views. 'I continue to be amazed by what our community enables us to do through their endless support. When we started talking about baseball on the internet, it was just a fun hobby. Our community is the reason we've been able to turn this from 'just a hobby,' into something bigger than we ever could've imagined,' O'Brien said in a statement. 'Partnering with MLB marks a huge moment for Jomboy Media, and through this partnership, we'll be able to give back to our community with storytelling that's deeper than ever before.' Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Blue Jays NHL Columnists World
San Francisco Chronicle
10-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
MLB acquires stake in Jomboy Media to expand digital presence
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has agreed on a strategic partnership with Jomboy Media and will acquire a stake in the company. The two sides announced the deal on Tuesday. Jomboy Media will be used across MLB's digital channels. MLB will also help grow Jomboy Media's other shows, including 'Talkin' Baseball,' 'Talkin' Yanks,' and 'The Warehouse Games.' Both sides are also expected to collaborate on IP growth and ad opportunities around MLB's key events, including the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. According to the release, Jomboy Media set revenue and profitability records last year, and had more than 93 million engagements on social media. Jomboy Media was founded by Jimmy 'Jomboy' O'Brien and Jake Storiale in 2017. 'We have long admired the passionate fandom of Jimmy O'Brien and his unique ability to connect with baseball fans,' Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner, business and media, said in a statement. 'This partnership will ensure that Jomboy Media will have the resources and access to MLB intellectual property necessary to help it continue to grow. We are looking forward to bringing baseball fans more entertaining content to help further expand baseball's online presence and deeper the connection between our sport and its fans.' Jomboy Media's key property is 'The Warehouse Games,' a league modeled after classic backyard games. The series has nearly 400 million all-time views. 'I continue to be amazed by what our community enables us to do through their endless support. When we started talking about baseball on the internet, it was just a fun hobby. Our community is the reason we've been able to turn this from 'just a hobby,' into something bigger than we ever could've imagined," O'Brien said in a statement. "Partnering with MLB marks a huge moment for Jomboy Media, and through this partnership, we'll be able to give back to our community with storytelling that's deeper than ever before.' ___
Fox Sports
10-06-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
MLB acquires stake in Jomboy Media to expand digital presence
Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has agreed on a strategic partnership with Jomboy Media and will acquire a stake in the company. The two sides announced the deal on Tuesday. Jomboy Media will be used across MLB's digital channels. MLB will also help grow Jomboy Media's other shows, including 'Talkin' Baseball,' 'Talkin' Yanks,' and 'The Warehouse Games.' Both sides are also expected to collaborate on IP growth and ad opportunities around MLB's key events, including the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. According to the release, Jomboy Media set revenue and profitability records last year, and had more than 93 million engagements on social media. Jomboy Media was founded by Jimmy 'Jomboy' O'Brien and Jake Storiale in 2017. 'We have long admired the passionate fandom of Jimmy O'Brien and his unique ability to connect with baseball fans,' Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner, business and media, said in a statement. 'This partnership will ensure that Jomboy Media will have the resources and access to MLB intellectual property necessary to help it continue to grow. We are looking forward to bringing baseball fans more entertaining content to help further expand baseball's online presence and deeper the connection between our sport and its fans.' Jomboy Media's key property is 'The Warehouse Games,' a league modeled after classic backyard games. The series has nearly 400 million all-time views. 'I continue to be amazed by what our community enables us to do through their endless support. When we started talking about baseball on the internet, it was just a fun hobby. Our community is the reason we've been able to turn this from 'just a hobby,' into something bigger than we ever could've imagined," O'Brien said in a statement. "Partnering with MLB marks a huge moment for Jomboy Media, and through this partnership, we'll be able to give back to our community with storytelling that's deeper than ever before.' ___ AP MLB: recommended in this topic
