Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is only 24, but he’s already diving headfirst into a second career.
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report announced that it reached a multiyear extension with Parsons and named him the president of B/R Gridiron. This makes him the first active professional athlete to hold a leadership title at a sports media company.
Per the new deal, Parsons will continue hosting his podcast, “The Edge.” The three-time Pro Bowler will also work with B/R Gridiron team members to develop new content and design merchandise for 2.5M cross-platform followers.
“Working with Bleacher Report on ‘The Edge’ has given me the desire to want to share my view of the game even more,” Parsons said in a statement, via Warner Bros. Discovery’s website.” Being able to create something dynamic for fans alongside a content team like B/R Gridiron, is a chance for me to flex different muscles than the ones I’m using each week on the field, plus it will just be fun.”
Bleacher Report recently launched podcasts with active athletes, including Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, to attract new audiences. Parsons is one star who has struck a chord with fans.
Parsons served as an analyst for “B/R Gridiron Draft Night,” which experienced a 27 percent increase in viewership this year. Per Barrett Sports Media, this was the highest boost for any live stream on the Bleacher Report app.
According to Warner Bros. Discovery, B/R Gridiron is the No. 1 digital sports publisher on NFL Sundays. It needs big names that keep audiences glued to their screens to stay on top. Parsons seems to do that, which is one reason it’s giving him a larger role.