Jamie Horowitz and Peyton Manning Expand Beyond Sports with Chad Powers
The creative partnership between Jamie Horowitz and Peyton Manning has redefined sports entertainment since they co-founded Omaha Productions in December 2020. Their latest collaboration, the Hulu comedy series Chad Powers, represents their boldest departure from traditional sports content, transforming a viral internet moment into scripted television that premieres September 30, 2025.
Manning’s transition from NFL Hall of Famer to entertainment executive required adapting his competitive instincts to Hollywood’s collaborative creative processes. Horowitz’s experience as a former ESPN and Fox Sports programming executive provided crucial guidance during this adjustment, helping Manning channel his perfectionist tendencies into productive creative oversight rather than micromanagement.
Complementary Skills Drive Chad Powers Development
The duo’s complementary skill sets became evident during Chad Powers development, with Manning contributing technical football expertise while Horowitz managed broader production strategy. When Glen Powell began practicing quarterback mechanics for the series, Manning immediately identified performance issues that could compromise authenticity. “They’re going to kill the show if the first snap he takes, his palms are flat. We cannot let up on this,” Manning observed, demonstrating his continued attention to athletic details.
“It’s more effective—though harder—to try to understand each person and then tailor your leadership to that individual,” Horowitz explained, reflecting the flexible management style that facilitated their successful expansion beyond sports documentaries.
Adaptive Creative Philosophy Shapes Project Selection
Horowitz’s approach to talent development, which he describes as having “no philosophy,” enables the Omaha Productions team to adapt their creative process to individual projects rather than applying formulaic approaches. This adaptive methodology proved crucial when evaluating Chad Powers expansion proposals from multiple Hollywood teams.
Manning and Horowitz selected Powell and writer Michael Waldron because their pitch embraced the character’s inherent absurdity rather than attempting conventional sports comedy formulas. “Peyton and I launched Omaha to tell uplifting and unifying stories,” Horowitz said in discussing the company’s mission, “and Chad Powers fits perfectly within that vision of bringing people together through authentic storytelling.”
Manning Takes Hands-On Executive Producer Approach
Peyton Manning’s involvement in Chad Powers extends far beyond typical celebrity executive producer arrangements, with the retired quarterback providing detailed feedback on script development, casting decisions, and technical authenticity throughout production. His commitment to maintaining football credibility within the comedy framework reflects the same perfectionist approach that defined his NFL career.
Manning’s relationship with Powell exemplifies his collaborative executive style, combining constructive technical coaching with creative support. The actor has described working with Manning as uniquely rewarding, noting that “it’s been really fun to collaborate with them,” referring to both Manning brothers’ involvement in the project.
The partnership also extends Powell’s relationship with Omaha Productions beyond the Chad Powers series, with planned appearances on ManningCast and Eli’s Places creating integrated content experiences across multiple platforms.
Strategic Investment Validates Entertainment Expansion
The Manning-Horowitz partnership has attracted significant investment interest, with the company’s valuation reaching approximately $800 million following Patrick Whitesell’s Silver Lake-backed investment in early 2025. These financial endorsements validate their expansion strategy while providing resources necessary for competing in scripted television markets.
Jamie Horowitz’s industry relationships proved crucial in securing Disney’s 20th Television as their scripted development partner, leveraging existing ESPN connections while establishing new entertainment industry credibility. Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, praised their collaborative approach during Chad Powers development, stating they “share our commitment to creative excellence and culture-defining storytelling.”
Revenue Diversification Through Creative Authenticity
The Chad Powers series represents a calculated business expansion for Jamie Horowitz and Peyton Manning, diversifying Omaha Productions’ revenue streams while maintaining their core sports entertainment identity. Their approach differs from typical athlete business ventures by prioritizing creative authenticity over immediate monetization, building sustainable content franchises rather than one-off projects.
Manning’s meticulous attention to detail, which previously drove his legendary preparation as an NFL quarterback, now focuses on ensuring scripted content maintains the same quality standards as Omaha Productions’ Emmy Award-winning unscripted programming. His involvement extends to reviewing dailies, providing script notes, and coaching Powell on quarterback mechanics that few other executive producers could offer.
The partnership leverages Manning’s cultural influence and Horowitz’s production expertise to create content that appeals to both sports audiences and mainstream entertainment consumers. Their success with ManningCast, which attracts younger demographics than traditional Monday Night Football broadcasts, demonstrated their ability to expand sports content beyond typical fan bases.
Long-term Vision for Multi-Platform Content Empire
Horowitz and Manning’s expansion into scripted television reflects broader ambitions for Omaha Productions as a full-service entertainment company capable of competing across multiple content categories. Their first-look deal with 20th Television suggests additional scripted projects may follow Chad Powers, potentially establishing new industry templates for athlete-driven entertainment ventures.
The duo’s collaborative dynamic combines Manning’s perfectionist standards with Horowitz’s adaptive leadership philosophy, creating unique creative environments that attract high-caliber talent like Powell while maintaining authentic sports perspectives. This balance positions them to continue expanding beyond traditional sports content without losing the credibility that defines their brand.
Chad Powers premieres as validation of their strategic vision, demonstrating that authentic sports personalities can successfully transition into scripted entertainment when supported by experienced production leadership and institutional backing from major distributors.