The Athlete-Owned Media Revolution: How PlayersTV Is Turning Fans Into Stakeholders

PlayersTV just proved that disrupting traditional media isn’t just talk—it’s backed by real numbers. The athlete-and-fan-owned media network has launched its second round of fan crowdfunding, a move that fundamentally reshapes who gets a piece of the pie in sports entertainment.

From Viewers To Owners: A New Business Model

Here’s what makes PlayersTV different from every other sports media platform out there. Instead of keeping fans on the sidelines, the company invites them to become actual shareholders. While most networks treat fans as passive consumers, PlayersTV flips the script entirely. You watch the content, you can own a piece of it.

This isn’t a test run either. Back in 2023, PlayersTV already proved the model works, bringing in $3.2 million from over 2,200 fans. That’s not just crowd funding—that’s proof that audiences are hungry for a stake in the game. The current fundraising campaign kicked off in mid-July, and early signs suggest the momentum is building.

The Star-Studded Lineup Behind The Movement

The company’s athlete roster reads like an all-star game roster: Chris Paul, Travis Kelce, Dwyane Wade, Chiney Ogwumike, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Natasha Cloud, A.J. Andrews, and Carmelo Anthony all hold equity in PlayersTV. These aren’t just names on a roster—they’re decision-makers and investors actively shaping the network’s direction.

Co-founder Deron Guidrey put it plainly: “PlayersTV and its stable of athlete investors are continuously disrupting the business of media, with their latest Fan Raise once again turning viewers into owners.”

The Distribution Empire

PlayersTV isn’t some niche streaming experiment. The network reaches over 300 million households worldwide through major platforms: DirecTV, Fubo, YouTube TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Philo. It’s broadcasting 24/7, which means PlayersTV content is available whenever fans want it.

The scale matters because it shows market validation. You don’t get into 300+ million homes by accident—it takes real demand and real partnerships.

Why Fans Trust Athletes More Than Traditional Celebrities

The data backs up PlayersTV’s entire thesis. According to Nielsen Sports research, 78% of sports fans are more likely to purchase a product endorsed by their favorite athlete compared to other celebrity endorsements. That’s not a small margin—that’s a fundamental shift in consumer behavior.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Sport research found that athletes consistently generate higher engagement rates on social media than traditional influencers. What does this mean? Authenticity wins. Fans see athletes as more genuine, more grounded, and more worthy of their attention and investment.

The Bigger Picture: Redefining Media Ownership

Guidrey framed the movement as more than just business innovation: “This marks an exciting milestone as we open the doors for fans to become proud owners in PlayersTV, our very own athlete-owned media company. This journey has always been about bringing athletes and fans closer together, and now, by becoming owners, our fans are not just spectators, but integral players in shaping the future and redefining athlete media.”

He added, “We’ve made fans and athletes the core of our business since day one. You need both to succeed in today’s markets, so we put them at the heart of everything we do.”

The PlayersTV model shows what happens when you stop treating audiences as passive consumers and start treating them as stakeholders. It’s not just about media—it’s about ownership, authenticity, and letting fans win alongside the athletes they love.