From the Gridiron to the Boardroom: Ryan Clark and Howard Schultz Team Up to Disrupt Sports Media
In the fast-evolving landscape of digital content, the line between sports, business, and entertainment is blurring. Leading this charge is Ryan Clark, the former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back and Emmy-winning broadcaster, who is transitioning from being the face of a network to building his own empire.
Clark has officially announced a strategic partnership that is sending shockwaves through the industry: Howard Schultz, the visionary former chairman and CEO of Starbucks, has joined Pivot25 Productions as a strategic partner and investor.
The Birth of Pivot25 Productions
Co-founded in 2025 by Ryan Clark and Emmy-winning producer Alicia Zubikowski, Pivot25 Productions was born out of a desire to create authentic, human-centric sports storytelling. However, the addition of Howard Schultz elevates the company from a production house to a potential media powerhouse.
Schultz, renowned for transforming a regional coffee shop into a global phenomenon, isn’t just providing capital. He is bringing a lifetime of experience in scaling brands and building enduring enterprises to the table. His focus? Turning Pivot25 into a permanent fixture in the media world.
Thinking Bigger: The “Brand” Mindset
The partnership began in a moment of professional transition. After 11 years as a prominent sports personality at ESPN, Clark found himself at a crossroads. It was during this time that Schultz reached out, not just to offer support, but to offer a vision.
“He believes that I’m a brand. He believes in things that I stand for,” Clark shared on the Glass Half Full podcast. “I told him that I wanted to do a show, and from there he was like, ‘Wait, why would we just talk about doing one show? I believe that in you being a brand, we can build an entire network.’”
This shift in perspective—from thinking about a single piece of content to thinking about a scalable network—is exactly what sets this venture apart.
The Success of “The Pivot Sports with Ryan Clark”
The foundation for this growth is already laid. “The Pivot Sports with Ryan Clark” has become a digital juggernaut, boasting several key achievements:
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- Massive Reach: Over one million subscribers on YouTube.
- Strategic Alliances: Produced in partnership with NFL Films.
- Mainstream Expansion: A recent high-profile deal with Netflix to stream video podcast episodes.
- Expert Insights: Co-hosted by NFL stars Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder.
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A New Era of Trust in Media
Why is this happening now? According to Howard Schultz, we are witnessing a profound transformation. Modern audiences are moving away from traditional, rigid institutions and gravitating toward individuals and platforms they trust.
Schultz notes that the success of Ryan Clark, Alicia Zubikowski, and their team isn’t just based on their resumes, but on the honesty, curiosity, and humanity they bring to every conversation. By combining this authenticity with corporate scaling expertise, Pivot25 Productions is positioned to bridge the gap between sports culture and business innovation.
As Ryan Clark continues his “comeback” not as an employee, but as an owner, the sports media world should keep a close eye on Pivot25. The game has changed, and Clark is now the one calling the plays.
