But he plans to relocate to L.A.: “This is where the action is.”(Co)laboratory’s backers to date include Iwanyk’s Thunder Road and angel investors.

I’m looking forward to diving in, and to help further build out their already robust development slate.”(Co)laboratory describes itself as a studio and content incubator that sits at the intersection of sports, entertainment and culture. According to Messler, the startup will be seeking outside investors as well.The idea is to provide athletes with development resources and funding “to let them be part of a storytelling concept,” said Messler.
(Co)laboratory currently has 21 projects in development, according to Messler, but she declined to provide details.

Former “SportsCenter” anchor Michael Smith is leaving ESPN for a job with start-up Hollywood studio (co)laboratory.
© Copyright 2020 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. Most recently, he had anchored the 6 p.m. edition of “SportsCenter” before Smith’s ESPN contract officially ended last week. He will provide creative direction on (co)lab projects, identify new business opportunities and revenue-driving initiatives, and assist with on-camera development training for athletes.Smith will also have some kind of on-camera role with the company, which is co-founded by Jaymee Messler, who also co-founded Derek Jeter’s online media outlet, The Players Tribune.Smith, who was still under contract with ESPN until 2021, agreed to a buyout, “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this, and I couldn’t be more excited to join (co)laboratory,” Smith said.

In addition, Smith will be appearing in front of the camera, with the startup planning to develop several shows around him.“What we’re doing is empowering athletes and creators in general. Former “SportsCenter” anchor Michael Smith is leaving ESPN for a job with start-up Hollywood studio (co)laboratory. Read Next: ‘Fortnite’ Battles Big Tech: Why Epic Games Is Suing Apple, Google Over Their App Store ‘Monopolies’ The company says it provides athletes, sports teams, leagues, and brands will resources to develop their own content, both scripted and unscripted. We see a major opportunity to develop new content formats, and reimagine how sports are covered in addition to how the stories around the game are being told. Said Messler, “He was one of the freshest voices on ESPN. “We’re building a wholly new and disruptive studio model that will undoubtedly yield some of the best original sports-driven narratives out there. Former "SportsCenter" anchor, Michael Smith, reached a buyout with ESPN and is starting a new role as the EVP and chief content officer for (Co)laboratory. In joining the company, Smith also is an investor and owns an equity stake. We share such a sensibility — it seemed like such a great fit for him to come build this company.” Iwanyk added: “We were blown away by his enthusiasm.”Smith, who turned 40 in August, will be bicoastal for a bit. Smith will serve as chief content officer and executive vice president, and is one of the company’s first hires. Michael Smith has been invisible since ESPN ended his 6 pm "SportsCenter." He will assume the position of Exec VP & Chief Content Officer, and will work both behind the … (Co)lab also wants to produce branded content with leagues and marketers.“We just saw a gigantic white space in the market for sports content and a rise in the voices that want to tell those stories,” Iwanyk said. Former ESPN host Michael Smith, whose 15-year tenure at the sports network culminated in a stint-co-anchoring SportsCenter with Jemele Hill, has joined (Co)Laboratory, a startup backed by film prod… After his stint at “SportsCenter” ended in March 2018, he said, “I’ll be candid, there was not a whole lot at ESPN that represented growth or a new challenge. He lives in Farmington, Conn., near ESPN’s Bristol mother ship, and has three kids in school. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. (Co)laboratory was formed earlier this year by three partners: Basil Iwanyk, founder of Thunder Road Pictures, producer of films including “A Star Is Born,” “Sicario” and the “John Wick” franchise; Jaymee Messler, who co-founded The Players’ Tribune media company with Derek Jeter; and industry exec Greg Economou, formerly chief revenue officer and head of sports at Ticketmaster who also worked in senior roles at Dick Clark Prods., the Madison Square Garden Co., the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets.Now the trio have tapped Smith, who said he was looking to start a new chapter in his career after 15 years at ESPN.“This is an opportunity to tap into my entrepreneur side, my dealmaker and producer side,” Smith told At (co)laboratory, Smith will play a key role in the development of original content across multiple formats, including scripted and unscripted digital series, podcasts, film and TV. He’ll provide creative direction on (co)lab projects — including on-camera coaching for athletes — as well as identifying business opportunities. Photo: (CO)LABORATORY Sports broadcaster Michael Smith is leaving ESPN to join (co)laboratory, the new athlete studio launched earlier this summer . Smith will serve as chief …