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Cinetic Launches Vertical Leap, Investment Vehicle & Producing Pathway For Pro Athletes — Zurich Summit
Cinetic Media has launched Vertical Leap, an investment and producing programme designed to help professional athletes enter documentary filmmaking. Members will receive access to Cinetic’s projects, creative discussions and industry mentoring, with the longer-term aim of developing production careers beyond sport.
Membership costs $25,000 a year and includes pitches for at least 10 documentaries from established directors and producers, with opportunities to invest in further projects. Cinetic has enrolled 10 prominent athletes and plans to expand to 50 current and former players; demand is strongest among NFL and NBA athletes, while three Michigan footballers are reportedly combining NIL income to join.
In short
- Cinetic launches an athlete-focused documentary investment programme.
- Membership costs $25,000 annually and includes 10 vetted project pitches.
- The initiative aims to support athletes’ post-sport production careers.
Explained simply
Cinetic Media, a production company, has launched Vertical Leap, a programme designed to help professional athletes develop careers in documentary filmmaking. Members gain access to industry mentoring and creative collaboration with established producers and directors. The initiative reflects growing interest among athletes in career paths beyond their sport.
Membership costs $25,000 annually and includes access to documentary investment opportunities. Members receive pitches for at least 10 documentaries each year from established directors and producers, and can invest in selected projects. This provides professional development alongside hands-on involvement in the media industry.
Cinetic has currently enrolled ten prominent athletes and aims to expand to fifty members. Demand has been strongest among professional footballers in the NFL and basketball players in the NBA. Some athletes are reportedly pooling their NIL income—money earned from endorsements using their name, image and likeness—to cover the membership cost together.
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