FOX Sports Digital Strikes Acquisition Deal With StraightCast Media

FOX Sports Digital announced today that it has acquired assets from StraightCast Media, including its ‘Gridiron Grunts’ mobile app and other technology. In addition, StraightCast Media co-founder and former NFL player Jeb Terry has been named Vice President, Program Management, FOX Sports Digital.

Created by NFL teammates Terry and Ryan Nece, Gridiron Grunts has been used by more than 200 NFL players to capture mobile video that can be shared across multiple platforms, including television, digital, and social media. Content has included game previews, behind-the-scenes insight, answers to fan questions, and more. Gridiron Grunts contributors have included Richard Sherman, Rob Gronkowski, Philip Rivers, Michael Vick, Victor Cruz, Marshawn Lynch, and Eddie Lacy.

FOX Sports partnered with StraightCast Media during the 2014 NFL season to create the FOX NFL Sunday segment ‘On the Bus’, which featured mobile video taken by players as they were heading to the game. StraightCast Media also previously worked with ESPN and NFL Network.

FOX Sports Digital plans to build on the success StraightCast Media has had around the NFL and expand to other sports, including MLB, UFC, soccer, and golf.

“This technology gives athletes an easy way to create and upload video content that FOX Sports can then share across multiple platforms to give fans greater behind-the-scenes access,” said Devin Poolman, Senior Vice President, Product Development, FOX Sports Digital. “We’re excited to have Jeb join FOX Sports Digital and look forward to him leading the efforts to expand this athlete-driven content to more sports.”

"I am thrilled to be joining FOX Sports Digital," said Terry. "The FOX Sports team, brand, and entrepreneurial DNA make it the ideal place to continue our efforts to bring fans the content they love from the athletes they cheer."

StraightCast Media was founded in 2010 to give athletes a new way to reach fans with real, authentic behind-the-scenes content. Terry and Nece coined the concept of TGC, Talent Generated Content, to categorize this on-demand, exclusive video.

Terry is a 5 year NFL veteran who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers. He received his MBA from UNC’s Kenan Flagler Business School where he also earned his undergraduate Business degree. Terry also participated in the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Nece is a 7 year NFL veteran and a Super Bowl Champ with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While at UCLA he studied economics and political science. Nece also participated in the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial programs at Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and now focuses on running his foundation and Next Play Capital.