Hog Media Partners With Sleeper to Reach Sports Fans Through Creators
Hog Media, a fast-growing network connecting brands with sports content creators, has announced a strategic partnership with fantasy sports platform Sleeper. The collaboration signals a broader shift in how sports fans consume content — moving away from traditional broadcasts and toward creator-driven, community-first digital experiences.
Under the agreement, Sleeper will act as the presenting sponsor of Hog Media for a six-month period, activating across Hog Media’s expansive creator network and digital distribution channels. The goal: to reach millions of highly engaged sports fans across the United States through voices they already know and trust.
Why This Partnership Matters in the Modern Sports Media Landscape
The Hog Media–Sleeper partnership arrives at a time when sports consumption habits are undergoing a dramatic transformation.
Key trends shaping the industry include:
Declining reliance on traditional television broadcasts
Explosive growth of creator-led sports commentary
Rising demand for authentic, personality-driven content
Increased overlap between fantasy sports, social media, and community engagement
By aligning with Hog Media, Sleeper is betting on a future where fan loyalty is built through creators rather than cable networks.
Inside the Hog Media–Sleeper Deal
Key Partnership Details
Partnership Duration: October 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026
Role of Sleeper: Presenting sponsor of Hog Media
Activation Channels:
Creator-led content integrations
Campaign-specific branded content
Cross-platform digital executions
Social, podcast, and YouTube placements
The collaboration will see Sleeper embedded organically across Hog Media’s creator ecosystem, ensuring that brand messaging feels native rather than interruptive.
Borna Nazari on the Power of Creator Networks
Borna Nazari, CEO and Founder of Hog Media, described the partnership as a defining example of how creator networks are reshaping sports media from the ground up.
“This partnership is a case study in how creator networks are redefining the sports media landscape. Sleeper understands that the next generation of fans isn’t watching traditional broadcasts — they’re consuming content from voices they trust. Together, we’re showing what real fan engagement looks like at scale.”
Nazari’s comments reflect a growing industry consensus: influence today is decentralized, and authenticity now outperforms reach alone.
Who Is Hog Media? A Creator-First Sports Network
Hog Media has positioned itself as a leading force in the creator economy, particularly within the sports vertical.
Hog Media at a Glance
200+ sports content creators across the U.S.
Strong presence in local and regional sports markets
A diverse portfolio of:
Sports podcasts
YouTube channels
Social-first video content
70+ million monthly YouTube views generated by its creator network
Rather than focusing on mass-market sports coverage, Hog Media emphasizes local fandom, niche communities, and personality-driven storytelling.
Why Brands Are Choosing Creator Networks Over Traditional Media
For advertisers and platforms like Sleeper, creator networks offer advantages that legacy sports media struggles to match:
Benefits of Creator-Led Sports Marketing
Higher engagement rates than traditional TV ads
Built-in trust between creators and their audiences
Authentic integrations that feel natural, not forced
Data-driven targeting of passionate fan bases
Two-way interaction through comments, live streams, and social engagement
This makes Hog Media an attractive partner for brands seeking measurable impact rather than passive impressions.
Sleeper’s Strategy: Meeting Fans Where They Already Are
For Sleeper, the partnership aligns perfectly with its growth philosophy: prioritize organic fan engagement over traditional advertising spend.
Jordan Gropper, Director of Business Development at Sleeper, highlighted the importance of connecting with fans through authentic communities.
“Partnering with Hog Media allows us to tap into some of the most passionate fan communities in sports. Their creator network brings our brand to life in a way that’s organic, fun, and deeply connected to how fans experience sports every day.”
This approach reinforces Sleeper’s reputation as a platform that listens to fans rather than marketing at them.
The Rise of Fantasy Sports as a Daily Engagement Tool
Fantasy sports platforms have evolved far beyond draft day excitement. Today, they are:
Daily engagement hubs
Social communities
Second-screen experiences during live games
Content-driven ecosystems
By integrating with creators who already influence fan conversations, Sleeper strengthens its position as a daily companion for sports fans, not just a seasonal app.
About Sleeper: From Startup to Industry Leader
Founded in 2014, Sleeper has grown into one of the most influential fantasy sports platforms in the world.
What Sets Sleeper Apart
One of the fastest organically growing fantasy platforms globally
Exceptionally high engagement per user
Clean, modern user interface
Strong focus on community, chat, and real-time interaction
Deep integration of fantasy sports with social features
Rather than relying heavily on paid acquisition, Sleeper’s growth has been driven largely by word-of-mouth and fan advocacy.
Why the Timing of This Partnership Is Strategic
The six-month activation window — spanning the heart of the NFL season and into early 2026 — allows Sleeper and Hog Media to capitalize on:
Peak fantasy sports engagement
Playoff-driven fan interest
High social media activity around major sporting events
This timing ensures maximum visibility while fans are most emotionally invested.
How Creators Will Activate the Partnership
The Sleeper partnership will roll out through a variety of creator-driven executions, including:
Branded segments within sports podcasts
Sleeper-integrated fantasy breakdowns
Social-first video content explaining platform features
Cross-promotional campaigns across YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok
These activations are designed to feel entertaining and informative, not promotional.
The Bigger Picture: Sports Media Is Becoming Decentralized
The Hog Media–Sleeper deal reflects a broader shift across the sports industry:
Creators are becoming the new gatekeepers of attention
This decentralized model allows platforms like Sleeper to scale trust — not just reach.
What This Means for Brands Entering Sports Marketing
For brands watching from the sidelines, this partnership offers several lessons:
Key Takeaways for Marketers
Invest in creator ecosystems, not one-off influencer deals
Focus on long-term partnerships, not short campaigns
Prioritize engagement quality over audience size
Let creators tell the story in their own voice
The future of sports marketing belongs to brands that understand culture, community, and creators.
What’s Next for Hog Media and Sleeper?
While the current agreement runs through March 2026, industry observers see strong potential for:
Expanded long-term partnerships
Deeper platform integrations
Co-created content series
Live and experiential activations
If successful, this collaboration could become a blueprint for how fantasy platforms and creator networks work together at scale.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for the Future of Fan Engagement
The partnership between Hog Media and Sleeper is more than a sponsorship — it’s a reflection of where sports media is headed.
By combining creator authenticity, fantasy engagement, and digital-first distribution, both companies are positioning themselves at the center of the modern sports fan experience.
As traditional media struggles to keep pace with changing habits, collaborations like this demonstrate that the future belongs to brands willing to listen, collaborate, and create alongside fans.
