How SMAC Entetainment Reinvented the Multi-Hyphenate Athlete

As someone who has had the pleasure of witnessing Michael Strahan’s incredible journey from the gridiron to the small screen, I am nothing short of amazed by his transformative metamorphosis. From a formidable defensive end to a multi-hyphenate powerhouse, Strahan’s story is one of resilience, determination, and sheer talent that refuses to be contained within a single box.

Michael Strahan might have found his time in the limelight coming to an end when he retired from the NFL in 2008. However, it’s not simple to surpass a 15-year stint with the New York Giants that earned him seven trips to the Pro Bowl and ultimately led to a stunning Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots, which could have been his swan song.

He claimed that a career ends prematurely if it finishes while one is quite young, but Strahan understood he had further accomplishments ahead of him; he retired at the age of 36.

It was discovered that Constance Schwartz-Morini, a shrewd alumnus of both the NFL and talent agency The Firm, recognized Strahan’s potential beyond the football field. She had him host a golf tournament in the ’90s, which led to their lasting friendship. Under her mentorship, Strahan rejuvenated his brand and expanded into television, initially taking on the role of analyst for “Fox NFL Sunday” and later securing the highly sought-after co-host position alongside Kelly Ripa on the syndicated morning show “Live with Kelly and Michael.

Strahan refers to Schwartz-Morini as the ‘boss’ because she truly is one, and he has learned not to second-guess her wise counsel,” Strahan states, jokingly adding that she is probably correct.

Over the past few years, Strahan has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis from being a defensive end to a versatile figure, taking on roles as an author, businessman, and prominent TV personality. Today, he can be seen hosting “Good Morning America” and “The $100,000 Pyramid” on ABC, further solidifying his presence in the entertainment world.

Following the creation of an exceptionally captivating second act, Schwartz-Morini and Strahan have since endeavored to replicate that achievement for others. They’re paving a fresh path for contemporary athletes through SMAC Entertainment, the multifaceted talent management, production, and brand development company they established in 2011.

Schwartz-Morini remembers that people would attempt to categorize her, saying, ‘You’ll just focus on this,'” she explained. “However, the future lies in combining all these elements seamlessly.

A few short years past, the primary career path for retired athletes often led to commentating roles on television networks or podcasts. However, SMAC seeks to expand those opportunities further.

Deion Sanders, formerly a professional football and baseball player, has expanded his career to include “docuseries star” thanks to SMAC. Fans can now track his journey as a college football head coach (initially with the Jackson State Tigers and currently with the Colorado Buffaloes) in the series “Coach Prime,” which will premiere its third season on Prime Video in early 2025.

How SMAC Entetainment Reinvented the Multi-Hyphenate Athlete

Sanders has also formed profitable alliances with brands such as Nike, Blenders, and RedCon1 for the sale of items ranging from sunglasses to protein powder. “Coach Prime’s football cleats have been blazing hot this week,” Schwartz-Morini comments. “Many top NFL players were spotted wearing them.

The diverse clientele of SMAC now extends beyond athletes, as it also represents individuals like Nikki and Brie Garcia, Stefon Diggs, Tony Gonzalez, as well as entertainers such as rappers Common and Wiz Khalifa, sports commentator Erin Andrews, and model Camille Kostek.

According to Schwartz-Morini, the unique strength of SMAC lies in its internal production capabilities, empowering clients to achieve a variety of objectives effectively.

According to FredAnthony Smith, who has been with SMAC for two years as their head of unscripted development, “Talent is making it clear that they are versatile and eager to work on various projects,” he says.

Among the latest releases, I’ve been deeply engrossed in the Prime Video series titled “The Evolution of the Black Quarterback,” where Michael Vick embarks on a nationwide journey to delve into the ties between Black quarterbacks and American sociopolitical history, and contemplate his own journey.

How SMAC Entetainment Reinvented the Multi-Hyphenate Athlete

The SMAC team quickly shifts focus from one project to the next without lingering on past successes. Over the coming months up until January, they’ll be debuting a fresh show each month. These include “Black Comedy in America” on Vice and a “Madden” video game docuseries for Amazon Prime Video. As Schwartz-Morini puts it, “We’re small yet powerful, and we keep our noses to the grindstone.

Strahan notes that it feels as if only a brief period has passed, but it’s been quite challenging. He admires Con’s determination incredibly. Clearly, the leader sets the pace.

What’s next in the SMAC pipeline?

“Exploring the Influence of Black Comedy in America

My Journey Through the Evolution of ‘Madden’: An Inside Look at the Legendary Video Game
Prime Video — Fall 2024
In this series, I delve into the captivating history of the iconic ‘Madden’ video game. From uncovering its origins within Electronic Arts to recounting the relentless attempts to persuade John Madden to join forces, I invite you along on a thrilling ride through the annals of gaming history.

“Season 3 of ‘Coach Prime’ on Prime Video” – Scheduled for Early 2025
Football coach Deion Sanders is back, and this time he brings along his son Shedeur and top-tier recruit Travis Hunter. The University of Colorado Boulder shifts to the Big 12 Conference in this new installment.

2024-10-04 20:19

How SMAC Entetainment Reinvented the Multi-Hyphenate Athlete

What’s next in the SMAC pipeline?

Read More

Minority Mindset