PlayersTV is making a decisive leadership and growth move.
The athlete-owned streaming and media platform has acquired Expectant Media, the tech and content agency founded by veteran media executive Michele Ghee, and named her President of PlayersTV, effective immediately.
Rather than a traditional merger play, the deal reflects PlayersTV’s broader strategy: building an athlete-centered media ecosystem that lives both on and off the screen. With Expectant Media folded into the company, PlayersTV expands its ability to create culturally grounded brand activations, experiential partnerships, and live community-driven moments alongside its original programming and distribution efforts.
Ghee, who has served on PlayersTV’s board for the past two years, will now oversee the company’s next phase of growth—scaling custom content offerings for partners while strengthening the connective tissue between athletes, fans, and brands.
“Michele has been a trusted member of our Board,” said Deron Guidrey, co-CEO and co-founder of PlayersTV. “We’ve seen firsthand the value of what she’s built across media, content, and activation. She’s a proven leader, and her impact will be felt across our organization and with our growing slate of premium partners.”
Guidrey also underscored the significance of the appointment at a moment when women—particularly women with ownership experience—continue to exit the media industry. According to the company, bringing Ghee into the role reflects a commitment to inclusive ownership and long-term value creation, with experienced operators positioned in leadership roles tied to equity.
For Ghee, the move is about scale and intention.
“PlayersTV has built something fundamentally different by centering ownership, distribution, and community around athletes and their fans,” she said. “This next chapter is about scaling that model—especially the investment in female-athlete-led content and distribution—while connecting premium lifestyle and culture storytelling to real-world experiences that create lasting value.”
Before launching Expectant Media, Ghee held senior executive roles at Essence and Ebony, and managed more than $1 billion in revenue over the course of her career. Her leadership résumé also includes stints at CNN, BET, A&E, The History Channel, and The Weather Channel. In addition to her executive work, she is the author of three books focused on career strategy and leadership.
PlayersTV’s investor group includes some of the most recognizable names across sports, including Chris Paul, Travis Kelce, Dwyane Wade, Ken Griffey, Jr., Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Carmelo Anthony, and Vernon Davis. Paul praised the move, noting that Ghee’s leadership experience positions PlayersTV well for its next stage of expansion.
The company currently operates with more than 3,000 fan-owners and over 70 athlete investors, reinforcing its ownership-forward model. Additional announcements tied to original programming, distribution growth, experiential partnerships, and brand collaborations are expected in the coming weeks.