Howard Schultz invests in Ryan Clark's media company two months after ESPN exit

Schultz backs Pivot25Productions after Clark's ESPN departure

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has made an investment in Ryan Clark's media company Pivot25Productions, according to Front Office Sports reporting cited by multiple outlets. The deal, finalized in September, comes roughly two months after Clark was let go by ESPN in July following more than a decade with the network. The financial terms of the investment have not been publicly disclosed.

Schultz's return to sports ownership

Schultz, 73, previously owned the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics and a WNBA team before selling them, and the Clark investment marks a return to the sports business. The Pivot host framed the partnership as a learning opportunity, writing on X: "New days and continued blessings. Building a relationship with Howard Schultz has taught me so much about business already. I'm excited to continue to learn & grow with him as a partner. As the saying goes. 'Onward & Upward.'"

Pivot's growth beyond ESPN

Since leaving ESPN, Clark has been building out The Pivot, the media platform and podcast he hosts alongside former NFL players Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor. The show recently secured a multi-year partnership with Netflix that brings new video episodes to the streaming service while the program continues on YouTube, where The Pivot's channel has roughly 1.5 million subscribers.

NFL Films collaboration adds weekly football show

Clark has also launched "The Pivot Sports with Ryan Clark," a weekly football show produced in collaboration with NFL Films. The program debuted this month on The Pivot's YouTube channel, expanding the company's video footprint beyond the flagship podcast.

Next milestone

The undisclosed financial terms of Schultz's investment and any additional partners or distribution deals tied to Pivot25Productions remain the next verifiable disclosures to watch.