Charles Barkley is about to take on a whole new kind of challenge. We all know him for his incredible 16-season run in the NBA and his candid, often hilarious, sports analysis. But now, he is shifting gears and stepping into the world of production with a new venture—Round Mound Media. And who’s he teaming up with, you ask?

The EverWonder Studio—a content powerhouse backed by Jeff Zucker’s RedBird IMI and led by Ian Orefice. But what’s Barkley’s goal here? Well, he will not just be sticking to sports but aim to produce a wide range of content. From gripping documentaries to live telecasts and even scripted shows, as revealed by a VARIETY article. In Barkley’s words, “Round Mound Media is about creating an outlet for my vision to share compelling, original stories meant to captivate audiences across the world.” And let’s be honest—if Barkley’s behind it, you know it’s going to be authentic and entertaining. So let’s know some more about the studio that will aid the 11x All-Star in achieving these aspects.

More about Charles Barkley’s new business partner in his production venture

As per a 2023 article by Globe News Wire, the independent content studio was born after a collaboration between Jeff Zucker’s RedBird-IMI and Ian Orefice, the former President & COO of TIME and TIME Studios. Launched in 2023, this venture aimed to create and distribute engaging non-fiction features, documentaries, and series that focus on the stories that truly matter.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to tell a story that resonates globally? Orefice, who founded TIME Studios in 2020, stepped down to embark on this very exciting journey. “There has never been a better time to launch an independent premium content studio than right now,” he said, as per the Globe News Wire article. This vision reflected a growing demand for authentic narratives that entertain and inform.

What makes EverWonder stand out, you ask? The studio didn’t aim at just creating content. But to nurture relationships with talented filmmakers and journalists who share a passion for storytelling. And now, with Charles Barkley’s involvement, things are getting even more interesting!

As a beloved figure in the NBA community and an experienced analyst, Chuck brings a wealth of storytelling prowess to the table. Having worked with the ex-76ers star previously, Zucker couldn’t hide his excitement. “I know firsthand what an incredible storyteller Charles is and how much he cares about the content,” he said in a recent VARIETY article.

However, this is not the first instance that the EverWonder Studios will be heading towards the basketball world.

Charles Barkley’s business partner in production to operate a college basketball event

The ex-76ers star’s business partner is about to shake things up in college basketball. And if you’re a fan, you’ll want to pay attention. This fall, the first-of-its-kind tournament called the Players Era is set to debut at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas on November 26.

But here’s what makes it different—this event isn’t just about bragging rights and trophies. It’s about serious cash—up to $2 million in NIL (name, image, likeness) deals for the participating teams. The tournament will feature eight teams this year. And seemingly, it’s just getting started.

By 2025, 16 teams will reportedly be present for both victory and the chance to cash in. As per an article by Front Office Sports, EverWonder Studio will be operating the project. But not without the help from AND1 CEO of Basketball, Seth Berger.

Till March this year, EverWonder was still finalizing broadcast deals, while also engaging in talks with major networks and streaming platforms. So the coverage expectations for the event have been set quite high. And the recently appointed President of EverWonder’s live decision would be trying his best to meet these expectations.

The EverWonder Studio established their live division this year itself

Launched its live programming division this year, the studio brought in industry heavyweight Michael Antinoro as the president. If you’re a fan of live events or sports content, this move is definitely something to keep an eye on. Antinoro is no stranger to the big leagues—literally.

As per an article by the Hollywood Reporter, he has already worked on the production aspect of not just NBA but ESPN, Dick Clark Productions and Endeavor’s Film 45. And now, he’s bringing his expertise to EverWonder.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Mike,” said studio co-founder Orefice. “His track record speaks for itself, and we’re lucky to have him.” It’s clear that from live projects to the diverse ones with Charles Barkley, the EverWonder studio is surely penetrating into the basketball world.

Notably, the former NBA star already has 10 projects in the pipeline for his new venture, in partnership with EverWonder. This reportedly includes some documentaries and scripted projects as well. All we have to do is be patient and wait for the Round Mound Media-EverWonder collab to serve us with content.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.