Octagon and Sports Byline USA Announce Original Content Partnership
September 19, 2022
Development Agreement to Include Production and Distribution of Film, TV, and Podcast Projects
Collaboration to Debut with Launch of “Behind The Barrier, Voices From the Negro Leagues,” an Eight-Part Podcast Series About the History of the Negro Leagues
Octagon and Sports Byline USA, Americas Sports Talk Network, today announced a multi-platform original content partnership to include development, production, and distribution of film, TV, and podcast projects.
The collaboration will debut with the launch of “Behind The Barrier, Voices From The Negro Leagues,” an eight-part podcast series about the 50-plus year history of the Negro Leagues. Narrated by actor and philanthropist Bill Overton, “Behind The Barrier” features more than 50 interviews by Sports Byline founder and radio host Ron Barr, with some of the most prominent players and managers from the Negro Leagues including Hank Aaron (Indianapolis Clowns), Ernie Banks (Kansas City Monarchs), Buck O’Neil (Kansas City Monarchs), and Eloyd Robinson (Homestead Grays).
“Behind The Barrier” will debut Friday, October 21 and will be available on the iHeart Podcast Network and all major podcast platforms.
“Adding Sports Byline material to our ongoing film, TV, and podcast development projects across the industry will only help expand our footprint and allow us to produce an even more diverse and comprehensive collection of work,” said Jason Weichelt, Vice President, Content Development and Production, Octagon. “Access to the tremendous library that Darren and Ron have built over the past 30-plus years creates endless possibilities for new content projects.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Octagon on ‘Behind The Barrier’ and the expansion of their award-winning content development projects across the entertainment industry,” said Darren Peck, President, Sports Byline. “Pairing Octagon’s global sports and entertainment assets with our worldwide reach and exclusive content creates a new Dream Team.”
In addition to the new collaboration with Sports Byline, Octagon regularly works with many of its high-profile clients and partners across sports and entertainment to build opportunities for athletes and celebrities to serve as content creators, and to bring some of the best stories in sports to life.
In 2021 Octagon, in partnership with iHeartMedia, launched “The 8 Side,” a robust podcast network of more than 26 shows and over 25,000 hours of programming. With nearly half-a- million downloads a month, the network includes weekly sports and entertainment talk podcasts featuring some of the biggest names in sports including “Fowler, Who You Got?” with ESPN Host and Commentator Chris Fowler, “Playing a Round With Paige Renee” with Golf Personality Paige Spiranac, “The GM Journey” with former Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, “The Real DNA” with Grand Slam winner and Tennis Channel host Daniela Hantuchova, “The Player Series” with golf legend Gary Player, and “The Reformed Sports Project” with Nick Buonocore.
Recent film and TV projects developed by Octagon also include the Sports Emmy Award nominated HBO documentary “The Weight of Gold,” featuring Michael Phelps, the critically acclaimed Facebook Watch series “Simone vs. Herself,” starring Simone Biles, and the upcoming ESPN 30 For 30 documentary “American Son,” about tennis champion Michael Chang.
Sports Byline USA distributes programming to more than 200 satellite radio stations including Sirius XM, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher Radio. Additionally, Sports Byline USA content is the primary sports programming partner for American Forces Network, which broadcasts on 500 radio stations in 177 countries.
ABOUT OCTAGON
Octagon is the preeminent integrated marketing and talent management agency in global sports and entertainment. The agency creates distinctive marketing campaigns for some of the largest brands and Fortune 500 companies across the globe and represents more than 1000 of the most prominent and influential athletes, talent, and properties in the world.
With more than 1,000 employees worldwide, based in 50 offices, in 20 countries, Octagon is positioned in virtually all areas of sports and entertainment.
ABOUT SPORTS BYLINE USA
Sports Byline USA distributes programming to more than 200 satellite radio stations in the US as well as other platforms such as Sirius XM, iHeart Radio, Stitcher and Apple Podcast. Additionally, Sports Byline USA content is the primary sports programming partner for the American Forces Network, which broadcasts on 500 radio stations in 168 countries.
–OCTAGON & SPORTS BYLINE USA–