Hidden Empire Film Group (HEFG) and The Union proudly announce the launch of Hidden Empire Sports Collective (HESC), the first entertainment division from a film studio to prioritize intellectual property and content creation for athletes and sports.
The division will redefine storytelling through strategic partnerships to create a pipeline for authentic, culture-centric narratives from the world’s best athletes. “As a former pro athlete, I know how difficult it can be to find the right opportunities and transition into a different field post-career,” said Deon Taylor, Director and Co-CEO of HEFG. “This is why HESC was created—to open new doors for athletes and give them the platform they deserve.”
HESC will be overseen by The Union’s Co-CEO, Sumair Khan. “Hidden Empire Sports Collective is a collaborative venture that creates a space for all athletes to incubate and maximize their media platforms through IP ownership. This is about giving athletes the tools to build a legacy beyond sports,” said Umair. Rodney Guillory and Ephraim Salaam will join the leadership team as President of Talent Strategy and Creative Executive, respectively. They bring their collective expertise to the helm alongside Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor, Co-CEOs of HEFG.
“Sports are a unifying force that brings communities together,” said Roxanne. “With Hidden Empire Sports, we’re building on that legacy of unity, creating opportunities to bring audiences closer to the stories that shape and define our culture.”
By joining forces with The Union, the only athlete-owned OTT network, HESC positions itself as the first entertainment company to develop premium content and intellectual property specifically for athletes, creating a new paradigm in sports-driven storytelling.
HESC debuts with an impressive roster of development deals with top athletes, including Floyd Mayweather, Scottie Pippen, and James Harden. Projects currently in active production include a four-part docuseries about Mayweather, which reflects HEFG’s innovative approach to creating culturally connected narratives for mass appeal.
“Hidden Empire Sports Collective is not just a new player in the industry—it is the first to merge the power of professional athletes to ideate, develop, and promote sports IP and athlete-driven content,” said Deon. “By breaking new ground, we’re not just in the game—we’re rewriting its playbook.”
