Jamie Horowitz has built one of sports media’s most remarkable success stories at Omaha Productions. As president and co-founder alongside Peyton Manning, Horowitz has guided the company from startup to an estimated $400 million valuation in just four years through a distinctive business strategy that prioritizes quality relationships, authentic content, and strategic partnerships.
Building a Media Company From Strategic Relationships
The sports media executive brought valuable experience to this venture. After beginning his career at NBC Sports, Horowitz rose to prominence at ESPN developing innovative programs like “First Take” and “SportsNation.” His subsequent leadership roles at Fox Sports as President of National Networks, DAZN, and WWE provided him with comprehensive knowledge of the sports media landscape.
When launching Omaha Productions in December 2020, Horowitz implemented a business approach that differentiated the company from traditional sports media outlets. Rather than competing directly with established networks, he positioned Omaha as a premium content partner that could bring unique value to multiple platforms simultaneously.
This partnership strategy first proved successful with ESPN. Omaha Productions created the “ManningCast,” an alternative Monday Night Football broadcast featuring Peyton and Eli Manning, which attracted approximately 1.6 million viewers per episode and won a Sports Emmy Award. The show’s success prompted ESPN to extend its partnership with Omaha Productions through 2034, providing long-term stability for the young company.
“We have a business model that’s about creating great shows with great people,” Horowitz explained in a 2023 interview. “By focusing on quality first, we’ve been able to build partnerships that benefit everyone involved – the platforms, the talent, and most importantly, the viewers.”
Multi-Platform Content Strategy and Revenue Diversification
Simultaneously, Horowitz established Omaha Productions as a trusted partner for streaming services seeking premium sports content. The company’s Netflix documentary series “Quarterback” garnered 21.4 million viewing hours in its first week, while subsequent projects like “Receiver” and “Starting 5” expanded the company’s streaming footprint.
This multi-platform approach reflects Horowitz’s understanding of the fragmented media landscape. Rather than limiting Omaha’s content to a single outlet, he’s created a business model that allows the company to work with traditional networks (ESPN, ABC, History Channel), streaming platforms (Netflix, ESPN+), and social media simultaneously, maximizing both revenue and audience reach.
Horowitz has also emphasized talent relationships as a central component of Omaha’s business strategy. Beyond Peyton Manning’s extensive network, Horowitz has fostered connections with athletes across sports, including Patrick Mahomes, LeBron James, Caitlin Clark, and numerous NFL and NBA stars. These relationships provide Omaha Productions with access that other media companies cannot match.
“Jamie Horowitz understands that content is built on trust,” noted sports agent Casey Close. “Athletes are willing to participate in Omaha’s projects because they know their stories will be told authentically and respectfully.”
Financial Discipline and Long-Term Vision
Financial discipline has accompanied this growth. While expanding rapidly, Omaha Productions has maintained efficient operations with a team of approximately 40 employees. This lean structure allows the company to be agile while producing content across multiple platforms simultaneously.
The company has diversified its revenue streams beyond traditional production. Omaha has developed lucrative advertising campaigns for major brands like Bush’s Baked Beans, Kings Hawaiian, Bud Light, and Graduate Hotels. These branded content initiatives leverage Peyton Manning’s established reputation as a commercial pitchman while creating additional income sources.
Peter Chernin, former president of News Corp and an investor in Omaha Productions, highlighted Horowitz’s business acumen: “I would never underestimate the level of his ambition. He’s super impressive, incredibly smart, and incredibly focused. He is one of the most focused people I’ve ever been around.”
This focus has allowed Omaha Productions to maintain a consistent brand identity across diverse projects. Whether producing the ManningCast, Netflix documentaries, or ESPN+ series, all Omaha content shares common qualities: authentic voices, high production values, and compelling storytelling. This consistency has established Omaha as a trusted brand for both platforms and viewers.
Horowitz’s long-term perspective has been particularly valuable. “Life is long, stay friendly with everyone, treat people with respect, and understand their needs – we are all in the long game,” he noted when discussing his negotiation philosophy. This approach has helped Omaha build lasting relationships throughout the industry.
Sports business newsletter author Joe Pompliano believes Omaha Productions is positioned for continued growth: “I don’t see any reason why Omaha can’t be a $1 billion-plus company. Streaming services are acquiring unscripted sports content at a premium, and Omaha’s close relationship with ESPN provides them with a unique advantage.”
As Jamie Horowitz guides Omaha Productions through its next phase of growth, his business strategy continues to balance creative innovation with financial prudence. By creating authentic content, fostering talent relationships, and building strategic partnerships, he has established a sustainable model for success in the competitive sports media landscape.
