Uninterrupted

Founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, Uninterrupted first formed in December 2014, as a series of testimonials by various professional athletes.{{cite web|last=Vardon|first=Joe|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2015/12/lebron_james_uninterrupted_get.html|title=LeBron James' Uninterrupted gets $15.8M investment from Warner Bros., Turner Sports|website=Cleveland.com|date=December 2, 2015|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://uninterrupted.com/pages/faqs|title=FAQs|publisher=Uninterrupted|accessdate=September 4, 2024}} James and Carter are childhood friends and long-time business partners, and initially self-financed the venture.{{cite web|last=Badenhausen|first=Kurt|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2017/03/09/lebron-james-uninterrupted-launches-new-show-with-athletes-talking-about-their-money/|title=LeBron James' Uninterrupted Launches New Show With Athletes Talking About Their Money|work=Forbes|date=March 9, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} James, an American professional basketball player who was then a member of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Cleveland Cavaliers gave testimonials of his professional career. He was joined by other players such as Rob Gronkowski, a tight end for the New England Patriots; Draymond Green, a small forward on the Golden State Warriors; and Ronda Rousey, a fighter in the UFC. The series was produced by SpringHill Entertainment, a media company founded by James and Carter, and run by the latter. The testimonials were first hosted on Bleacher Report, a website owned by Turner Sports.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/un-lebron-james|title=LeBron James – Uninterrupted {{pipe}} News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors|via=Bleacher Report|accessdate=August 29, 2024}} The Facebook 360 and Oculus VR platforms later hosted Uninterrupted content, as did go90.

File:LeBron James (21996733782).jpg

In May 2015, Uninterrupted registered its YouTube channel, where it hosts content as well.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/@Uninterrupted/about|title=Uninterrupted – YouTube about page|via=YouTube|accessdate=August 31, 2024}} In September, Striving for Greatness, a documentary series featuring James' training regimen was filmed by Uninterrupted. He later began posting links to episodes of the series on social media later that autumn. In December, Uninterrupted received a $15.8 million investment from Warner Bros. and Turner Sports, with the latter becoming the company's primary sales arm.{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Daniel|url=https://fortune.com/2015/12/02/lebron-uninterrupted-time-warner/|url-access=subscription|title=LeBron James Is Now a Full-Fledged Media Mogul|work=Fortune|date=December 2, 2015|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}

By 2017, the company described itself as a "distributed media platform",{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2691506-uninterrupted-lebron-james-salutes-tom-brady-after-epic-super-bowl-li-victory|title=UNINTERRUPTED: LeBron James Salutes Tom Brady After Epic Super Bowl LI Victory|publisher=Uninterrupted|via=Bleacher Report|date=February 6, 2017|accessdate=August 29, 2024}} as well as "an all-digital sports programming network".{{cite AV media|last=James|first=LeBron|author-link=LeBron James|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4r7q1vXav4|title=LeBron James Welcomes You to UNINTERRUPTED|publisher=Uninterrupted|date=April 19, 2017|accessdate=August 29, 2024|via=YouTube}} That year, Uninterrupted produced the documentary series Flashback featuring Dwyane Wade, Rebuilt starring Chris Bosh, as well as Draft Diaries. Uninterrupted also produced the feature-length documentary Fight Mom and began its own podcasting network. Carter hosted Kneading Dough, which was released as a video series and podcast. Carter also hosted Branching Out with both podcast series sponsored by Chase Bank.{{cite web|last=Beer|first=Jeff|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90335279/lebron-james-and-maverick-carter-want-to-destigmatize-talking-about-money|title= LeBron James and Maverick Carter want to destigmatize talking about money|work=Fast Company|date=April 16, 2019|accessdate=September 1, 2024}} Additionally, Green hosted his own podcast on the network, dubbed Dray Day.

Uninterrupted began its development of The Shop in 2017, as well, with the project being "a 30-minute panel talk show set in a barbershop".{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/06/08/Media/Uninterrupted-LeBron.aspx|title=LeBron James' Uninterrupted Network At The Forefront Of Athletes Creating Own Content|work=Sports Business Journal|date=June 8, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Ben|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lebron-jamess-media-empire-is-doing-way-better-than-his-team-1496846788|title=LeBron James's Media Empire Is Out Front (Even If His Team Isn't)|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=June 7, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2024}} The series featured James and his guests getting their hair cut.{{cite web|url=https://www.internetandtechnologylaw.com/ip-copyright-tussle-lebrons-uninterrupted-alabama/|title=The King and IP: A Copyright Tussle between LeBron's Uninterrupted and the University of Alabama|publisher=Pillsbury|date=May 22, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} ESPN aired clips of the episode in its programming around NBA Finals games, while the first episode in its entirety was aired on Uninterrupted's website and ESPN's YouTube channel, garnering around 4 million views.{{cite web|last=McMenamin|first=Dave|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22999408/lebron-james-muldia-platform-uninterrupted-issues-letter-alabama-addressing-concerns-copyright-infringement|title=LeBron James' UNINTERRUPTED issues letter to Alabama over copyright infringement|publisher=ESPN|date=April 2, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} The Shop{{'}}s pilot starred James and Green; James' Cavaliers and Green's Warriors coincidentally matched up against each other during that year's Finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400954510|title=Kevin Durant drops 38 as Warriors rout Cavs in Game 1 of Finals|publisher=The Associated Press|via=ESPN|date=June 2, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2024}} The first episode also featured Carter, former NBA player Charles Oakley, and rapper 2 Chainz.

Later in the year, Uninterrupted produced More Than An Athlete, an eight-episode documentary series about James' basketball career, with James, Carter, and their childhood friends Rich Paul and Randy Mims appearing in the series and serving as executive producers.{{cite web|last=Melvin|first=Paul|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2018/11/more-than-an-athlete-new-original-series-from-uninterrupted-and-espn/|title="More Than An Athlete" – New Original Series from UNINTERRUPTED and ESPN+|publisher=ESPN PressRoom|date=November 19, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} The series premiered on ESPN+ on November 20, 2018, with episodes airing weekly through January 2019. In 2019, Uninterrupted partnered with the over-the-top streaming platform DAZN to produce 40 Days, a boxing documentary series.{{cite web|last=Impey|first=Steven|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/dazn-signs-content-deal-with-lebron-james-uninterrupted/|title=DAZN signs content deal with LeBron James' Uninterrupted|work=SportsPro|date=April 18, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} Aired on April 23 and 30, the first two episodes featured Canelo Álvarez and Daniel Jacobs as they prepared for their middleweight title fight in May 2019.

File:Drake at Bun-B Concert 2011.jpg (pictured in 2011) partnered with the company to launch Uninterrupted Canada in 2019]]

The company partnered with Canadian musician Drake to form Uninterrupted Canada,{{cite web|last=Beer|first=Jeff|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90383498/drake-is-bringing-lebron-james-and-maverick-carters-uninterrupted-to-canada|title=Drake is bringing LeBron James and Maverick Carter's Uninterrupted to Canada|work=Fast Company|date=July 30, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} with the Canadian platform officially launching on August 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/is-drake-and-lebrons-uninterrupted-all-hype-or-great-access|title=Is Drake and LeBron's Uninterrupted all hype or great access?|publisher=CBC.ca|date=August 2, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} The partnership deal saw Drake become a part owner and promoter of Uninterrutped Canada.{{cite web|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/drake-partners-lebron-james-digital-platform-uninterrupted-canada-1227700/|title=Drake Partners With LeBron James' Digital Platform Uninterrupted in Canada|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 30, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} Scott Moore was brought on as the CEO of the Canadian operation. Toronto Raptors player Serge Ibaka was one of Uninterrupted Canada's first athletes to be brought on board for content production; the company also produced Height Doesn't Measure Heart, a series with Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman.{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/drake-lebron-james-uninterrupted-canada-1203284666/|title= Drake Teams With LeBron James' Uninterrupted to Launch Canadian Offshoot of Sports-Media Brand |work=Variety|date=July 30, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} Uninterrupted Canada also produced the interview show Who's Interviewing Who?.

Outside of Canada, Uninterrupted also partnered with David Beckham's Studio 99 to produce a documentary series around Inter Miami CF. In October, Uninterrupted launched its own e-commerce merchandise and apparel. The collection was a collaboration with Nike, featuring the company's branding as well as Uninterrupted's "I am more than an athlete" phrase.{{cite web|last=Beer|first=Jeff|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90411609/maverick-carter-and-lebron-james-uninterrupted-launches-nike-sneaker-and-e-commerce-store|title=Maverick Carter and LeBron James' Uninterrupted launches Nike sneaker and e-commerce store|work=Fast Company|date=October 1, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Anyanwu|first=Obi|url=https://wwd.com/feature/lebron-jamess-and-maverick-carters-uninterrupted-launch-apparel-e-comm-1203329637/|title=LeBron James's and Maverick Carter's Uninterrupted Launch Apparel, E-comm|work=Women's Wear Daily|date=October 1, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} Nike released two Uninterrupted-branded sneakers (one LeBron 17 and one Air Force 1) as part of the collaboration.{{cite web|last=Munz|first=Jason|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/basketball/2019/10/03/lebron-james-memphis-basketball-penny-hardaway-uninterrupted-co-produce-espn-series/3857333002/|title=LeBron James' Uninterrupted to co-produce Memphis basketball's ESPN+ documentary series|work=Memphis Commercial Appeal|date=October 3, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Dwyer|first=Ross|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/12/uninterrupted-nike-lebron-17-more-than-an-athlete-release-date-info|title= UNINTERRUPTED and Nike Team up Again for LeBron 17 "More Than An Athlete" |publisher=Hypebeast|date=December 16, 2019|accessdate=August 29, 2024}} Uninterrupted's fashion line was expanded in December, with the launch of a private label.{{cite web|last=Anyanwu|first=Obi|url=https://wwd.com/feature/uninterrupted-launches-new-private-label-lebron-james-maverick-carter-1203400699/|title=Uninterrupted Launches Private Label|work=Women's Wear Daily|date=December 16, 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}

Also in October, Uninterrupted announced it would be co-producing a documentary series about the Memphis Tigers' 2019–20 men's basketball season, following Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, assistant coach Mike Miller, and the team's number-one recruit James Wiseman.

In 2020, SpringHill Entertainment and Uninterrupted were later consolidated, along with the Robot Company, into SpringHill Company.{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Pat|url=https://frontofficesports.com/lebron-james-media-biz/|url-access=registration|title=LeBron's $100 Million Play|work=Front Office Sports|date=June 26, 2020|orig-date=June 25, 2020|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} In April 2021, Uninterrupted partnered with Peacock to produce a documentary series about the 2020 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|last=Jeffrey|first=Andrew|url=https://realscreen.com/2021/04/20/peacock-partners-with-lebron-james-uninterrupted-for-olympic-docuseries/|url-access=registration|title= Peacock partners with LeBron James' Uninterrupted for Olympic docuseries |work=Realscreen|publisher=Brunico Communications|date=April 20, 2021|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} In October 2021, SpringHill Company sold a minority stake to Nike, Epic Games, RedBird Capital Partners and Fenway Sports Group that would value the company at $725 million.{{cite web|last=Gaydos|first=Ryan|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/lebron-james-venture-valued-selling-minority-stake|title=LeBron James company valued at $725 million after selling minority stake|publisher=Fox Business|date=October 14, 2021|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}

Beginning with its fifth season premiere in March 2022, The Shop began to air exclusively on Uninterrupted's YouTube channel, with Grey Goose becoming the show's presenting sponsor.{{cite web|last=Parker|first=Ryan|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lebron-james-the-shop-moves-hbo-to-uninterrupted-youtube-1235098721/|title=LeBron James' 'The Shop' Moves From HBO to Uninterrupted's YouTube Channel|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 28, 2022|accessdate=August 29, 2024}} In July, a Shop spin-off was launched: titled The Shop: Lineup, it focused on one guest and more prominently featured Grey Goose's vodka products.{{cite web|last=Kemp|first=Audrey|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2022/07/20/lebron-james-uninterrupted-and-grey-goose-launch-co-branded-youtube-series|title= LeBron James' Uninterrupted and Grey Goose launch co-branded YouTube series |work=The Drum|date=July 20, 2022|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}

Uninterrupted and Nike again collaborated on a shoe release, a Nike LeBron 20 variant, in April 2023.{{cite web|last=Richard|first=Brandon|url=https://www.complex.com/sneakers/a/brandon-richard/uninterrupted-nike-lebron-20-xx-fn0941-001-release-date|title=Uninterrupted's Nike LeBron 20 Collab Releases Next Week|work=Complex|date=April 8, 2023|accessdate=August 29, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Inman|first=DeMicia|url=https://money.yahoo.com/lebron-james-uninterrupted-x-nike-172602202.html|title=LeBron James' Uninterrupted x Nike LeBron XX Sneakers Get Release Date|work=Vibe|via=Yahoo! Money|date=April 11, 2023|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} The shoe prominently included the brand's lapis lazuli color.

In June, Uninterrupted announced it would help produce a sequel to The Game Changers.{{cite web|last=Ettinger|first=Jill|url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/lebron-james-uninterrupted-game-changers-sequel/|title= LeBron James' Uninterrupted Backs 'Game Changers' Sequel: 'We Couldn't Be More Thrilled'|work=Green Queen|date=June 7, 2023|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} The company also collaborated with Tribeca Enterprises and co-hosted a film festival on July 13 at NeueHouse Hollywood.{{cite web|last=Lowe|first=Herbert|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2023-06-26/lebron-james-uninterrupted-film-festival-la-empowering-athletes|title=LeBron James' company to host film festival in L.A. focused on empowering athletes|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 26, 2023|accessdate=August 29, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Reynoso|first=Jerry|url=https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/lebron-james-and-maverick-carters-uninterrupted-starting-film-festival-jr2003|title=Lakers News: LeBron James And Maverick Carter's Uninterrupted Starting Film Festival|work=Sports Illustrated|date=June 27, 2023|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} The festival focused on athletes and their storytelling, with two new works showcased at the festival centering on Black athletes and their experiences. One of these productions, Goliath, is a documentary series about Wilt Chamberlain and produced by Showtime. Black Ice, a documentary film about racism in ice hockey was also screened at the festival, with James and Carter serving as executive producers. The film festival returned the following year, with James serving on the festival's short film selection committee with Naomi Osaka and Joel Embiid.{{cite web|last=Ntim|first=Zac|url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/lebron-james-naomi-osaka-joel-embiid-uninterrupted-film-festival-tribeca-robert-deniro-1235898308/|title=LeBron James, Naomi Osaka & Joel Embiid To Lead Selection Committee Of Second Annual Uninterrupted Film Festival|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 29, 2024|accessdate=August 29, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Motwane|first=Alex|url=https://lamag.com/film/uninterrupted-film-festival-lebron-james-pete-rose|title=UNINTERRUPTED Film Festival Shines a Light on Athletes' Stories|work=Los Angeles|date=July 3, 2024|accessdate=August 29, 2024}}

Uninterrupted embarked on a live tour of The Shop in the fall of 2023, visiting the HBCUs Tennessee State University, Hampton University, and North Carolina A&T University.{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/lebron-james-the-shop-uninterrupted-show-is-going-on-an-hbcu-homecoming-tour/|title=LeBron James' Show 'The Shop Uninterrupted' Is Going On An HBCU Homecoming Tour|work=Black Enterprise|date=October 10, 2023|accessdate=August 29, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Avery|first=Caulin|url=https://ncatregister.com/21847/the-score/lebron-james-show-the-shop-uninterrupted-coming-to-n-c-at/|title='The Shop UNINTERRUPTED' coming to N.C. A&T|work=The A&T Register|date=November 1, 2023|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}

In March 2024, The Shop became its own consumer brand, splitting from Uninterrupted.{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Randall|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-05/lebron-james-spins-out-the-shop-in-bid-to-be-consumer-brand|url-access=registration|title=LeBron James Spins Out 'The Shop' to Become Consumer Brand|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=March 5, 2024|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} That month, the James-hosted Mind the Game podcast first aired, with Uninterrupted producing. Later in the year, Uninterrupted-produced basketball series were released. Vice TV premiered Uninterrupted: The Real Stories of Basketball, a documentary series featuring various Hall of Fame players on June 4.{{cite web|last=Kuznikov|first=Selena|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/vice-tv-lebron-james-maverick-carter-1235990837/|title= LeBron James' SpringHill Company to Produce Basketball Docuseries for Vice TV (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety|date=May 3, 2024|accessdate=August 29, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Dunaj|first=Mikhayla|url=https://www.mlive.com/tv/2024/06/how-to-watch-lebron-james-new-series-uninterrupted-the-real-stories-of-basketball-for-free.html|title=How to watch Lebron James' new series 'Uninterrupted: The Real Stories of Basketball' for free|website=MLive.com|publisher=MLive Media Group|date=June 4, 2024|accessdate=August 29, 2024}} Another series, Starting 5, which followed James and four other NBA players throughout the 2023–24 NBA season was released on Netflix on October 9.{{cite web|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/lebron-james-jimmy-butler-netflix-nba-docuseries-starting-5-1235090089/|title=LeBron James, Jimmy Butler to Feature in Netflix's NBA Docuseries 'Starting 5'|work=Rolling Stone|date=August 28, 2024|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}

On March 26, 2018, the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team released a teaser trailer for Shop Talk, which similar to The Shop, was centered around unfiltered conversation in a barbershop setting.{{cite web|last1=Zillgitt|first1=Jeff|last2=Amick|first2=Sam|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/04/02/lebron-james-uninterrupted-issue-letter-alabama-football-over-copyright-concerns-over-alabama-video/478152002/|title=LeBron James, Uninterrupted issue letter to Alabama football over copyright concerns|work=USA Today|date=April 2, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} The first episode of Shop Talk featured former Crimson Tide player Julio Jones alongside the Nick Saban, the team's coach. Uninterrupted's head of business and legal affairs issued a letter to the University of Alabama, highlighting copyright concerns and requesting the institution to send the entire first episode of Shop Talk for review "to then have a conversation about how to address Uninterrupted's concerns amicably". Shop Talk was later renamed as Bama Cuts.

A lawsuit filed in February 2020, by the Maryland-based nonprofit organization Game Plan, alleged that Uninterrupted (as well as Nike, ESPN, and Take-Two Interactive) infringed on the phrase "I am more than an athlete", trademarked by Game Plan.{{cite web|last=Brooks|first=Khristopher J.|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lebron-james-uninterrupted-game-plan-inc-sue-more-than-an-athlete-slogan/|title=LeBron James's media company accused of infringing trademark|work=CBS News|date=February 20, 2020|accessdate=August 30, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Briseño|first=Elaine|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1778466/lebron-s-uninterrupted-wins-tm-rights-in-spat-with-charity|url-access=registration|title=LeBron's Uninterrupted Wins TM Rights In Spat With Charity|publisher=Law360|date=December 18, 2023|accessdate=August 30, 2024}} Attorneys for Uninterrupted responded stating, "the complaint filed by Game Plan today is meritless and contains numerous factual inaccuracies. Uninterrupted owns prior rights in and to the More Than An Athlete trademark". In December 2023, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled that Game Plan "never proved it was the rightful owner" of the "more than an athlete" phrase, effectively having Uninterrupted win the trademark rights to it.

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://uninterrupted.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq3SaNCJ7yzAwVwivDX4yWkjOG6ep8lvuDNzOKx92EikJgh3q_e Uninterrupted Store]
• [https://www.facebook.com/Uninterrupted/ Uninterrupted on Facebook]
• [https://x.com/uninterrupted?lang=en Uninterrupted on X (formerly Twitter)]

{{LeBron James}}

Category:Uninterrupted

Category:2014 establishments in Ohio

Category:American companies established in 2014

Category:American sport websites

Category:Entertainment companies established in 2014

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Category:LeBron James

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Category:SpringHill Entertainment

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