Jamie Horowitz leads Omaha Productions’ bold expansion into scripted entertainment, marking a significant evolution for the sports media company he co-founded with Peyton Manning. The company’s latest venture, Chad Powers for Hulu, showcases Horowitz’s ability to transform viral sports moments into mainstream entertainment gold.
The genesis of Chad Powers reveals Horowitz’s keen eye for content potential. The character, first introduced by Eli Manning in an episode of Eli’s Places, became an instant viral sensation, accumulating over 15 million views and spawning merchandise featuring Powers’ catchphrase “Think Fast, Run Fast.” Recognizing the character’s appeal, Horowitz quickly developed it into a full-series concept.
To ensure the show’s success, Horowitz assembled an impressive creative team. Rising star Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick, Twisters) will lead the series as Russ Holliday, a former quarterback seeking redemption through the Chad Powers persona. The cast includes Perry Mattfeld (Shameless, In the Dark) and Steve Zahn (Sahara, Dallas Buyers Club), while acclaimed Marvel writer Michael Waldron (Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) co-writes with Powell.
The series benefits from Eli Manning’s authentic football expertise. Manning has taken an active role in production, participating in pitch meetings and providing football insights to the writing team. This combination of Hollywood talent and sports authenticity exemplifies Horowitz’s approach to content creation.
Simultaneously, Horowitz continues to expand Omaha’s documentary offerings. The upcoming Netflix series Receiver follows the success of Quarterback, featuring NFL stars Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The series, produced with NFL Films and 2 PM Productions, promises to explore the other half of football’s passing game story.
Horowitz’s influence extends to women’s sports coverage, with Full Court Press earning acclaim as ESPN’s finest sports documentary in recent years. The series’ success has led to a second season announcement, demonstrating Omaha’s commitment to diverse storytelling and emerging markets in sports media.
The company’s growth reflects Horowitz’s strategic vision and industry connections. A new partnership with LeBron James’ SpringHill Farms will produce NBA content, while a landmark nine-year deal with ESPN ensures Omaha’s position in sports media through the next decade. These relationships have helped establish Omaha Productions as a major player in traditional sports coverage and innovative entertainment formats.
Under Horowitz’s leadership, Omaha has built an impressive content pipeline. According to head of production Therese Andrews, the company has 8-12 projects in various stages of development. These include documentary and scripted content spanning multiple sports and entertainment categories.
The ManningCast continues to be a cornerstone of Omaha’s success, recently earning Eli Manning his second Emmy Award. The show’s unique format, combining expert analysis with casual conversation and celebrity guests, exemplifies Horowitz’s talent for creating engaging, personality-driven content.
Looking ahead, Omaha Productions is positioned to continue its expansion into new entertainment territories. The Chad Powers series, set to debut on Hulu this fall, represents just one aspect of Horowitz’s vision for the company’s future. With successful projects across multiple platforms and formats, Horowitz has demonstrated his ability to identify and develop content that appeals to sports fans and general audiences.
The combination of Horowitz’s entertainment industry expertise and Manning’s sports credibility has created a unique formula for success. As Omaha Productions continues to evolve, its ability to blend authentic sports storytelling with mainstream entertainment positions it as an innovator in the media landscape. With a strong slate of upcoming projects and growing industry partnerships, Horowitz’s influence on sports and entertainment media shows no signs of slowing down.
