When ESPN premiered the second season of “Full Court Press” on April 23, 2025, at Manhattan’s Hudson Square Theater, the event marked more than just another docuseries launch. It represented the culmination of a vision championed by Jamie Horowitz, president and co-founder of Omaha Productions, who has been instrumental in developing content that authentically captures the personalities behind sports.
Horowitz, alongside NFL legend Peyton Manning, founded Omaha Productions in December 2020 with a clear mission. “We’re thrilled to share the stories of these three talented women as they continue to push the game to new heights,” Manning stated in the official ESPN press release, reflecting the company’s commitment to elevating women’s college basketball.
The Evolution of Sports Storytelling
The second season follows Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, and USC’s Kiki Iriafen through the 2024-25 season, building on the success of the first season that featured Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and Kiki Rice. Jamie Horowitz’s talent-centric approach to storytelling distinguishes this docuseries from traditional sports programs.
“I continue to believe that the best leadership philosophy is to oddly have no philosophy,” Horowitz explained in an interview. “I think it’s more effective, though harder, to try to understand each person and then tailor your leadership to that individual”. This personalized approach has become the cornerstone of Omaha’s documentary style, allowing audiences to connect with athletes on a deeper level.
The production showcases the athletes’ performances on the court and their academic pursuits, personal challenges, and growth journeys. This holistic portrayal aligns with Horowitz’s stated mission to “bring people together” through content that “uplifts and unifies”.
Building a Sports Media Powerhouse
The success of “Full Court Press” is part of a broader expansion strategy at Omaha Productions, which has seen Jamie Horowitz leverage his extensive experience to create compelling sports content across multiple platforms. Under his leadership, Omaha has evolved from a fledgling production company to a media enterprise valued at approximately $500 million, according to his official website.
Before co-founding Omaha with Manning, Horowitz built his reputation through transformative roles at ESPN and FOX Sports, where he developed popular debate-driven programs like “First Take” and “Undisputed.” This background proved invaluable in identifying the potential for personality-driven sports documentaries like “Full Court Press.”
“We are adding great partners who believe in the vision that we had in December of 2020, and that remains the mission today. Find ways to bring people together. Make content that uplifts and unifies. Celebrate what unites us,” Horowitz stated, emphasizing the consistent philosophy guiding Omaha’s projects.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Growth
The red carpet premiere for “Full Court Press” Season 2 came on the heels of significant business developments for Omaha Productions. In March 2025, the company secured a minority investment from Patrick Whitesell’s Silver Lake-backed media platform, followed by a first-look deal with Disney’s 20th Television for scripted content development.
These strategic moves reflect Jamie Horowitz’s understanding of where sports media is heading—toward authentic, multi-dimensional storytelling beyond game footage. The evolution of “Full Court Press” from a single-season experiment to a continuing series demonstrates how this approach resonates with audiences eager for deeper connections to athletes.
As women’s basketball continues its unprecedented growth in popularity, Horowitz’s early recognition of its narrative potential positions Omaha Productions at the forefront of a significant shift in sports coverage. Season two of “Full Court Press” is now streaming on ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+, and it stands as a testament to how thoughtful sports documentaries can elevate both the athletes featured and the sports they play.
Athlete-Centered Production Approach
What distinguishes “Full Court Press” under Jamie Horowitz’s guidance is its athlete-first approach to storytelling. Where traditional sports coverage might focus primarily on statistics and game analysis, Omaha Productions places equal emphasis on personal journeys and character development.
Season 2 exemplifies this approach through intimate portrayals of its featured athletes. Hannah Hidalgo is shown as “lightning in a bottle: diving, screaming, and flexing her way to victory,” with her faith and family providing grounding throughout her sophomore season at Notre Dame. LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson balances basketball with her flourishing music career and growing NIL portfolio, while USC’s Kiki Iriafen navigates a transfer from Stanford while pursuing professional aspirations.
This storytelling approach has paid dividends for Omaha Productions and women’s basketball as a whole. The increased visibility provided by high-quality documentaries like “Full Court Press” contributes to growing audience engagement with women’s sports.
“Peyton was very involved,” Caitlin Clark said of Manning’s role in season one’s production. “He pitched it to me, and watched and had notes on every episode.” This hands-on commitment from Manning and Horowitz creates an environment where athletes feel comfortable sharing their authentic experiences.
As “Full Court Press” continues to document the evolution of women’s basketball, Jamie Horowitz’s influence on sports media extends far beyond this project. His vision at Omaha Productions has created a blueprint for how sports storytelling can evolve in the streaming era, focusing on character-driven narratives that resonate with viewers regardless of their prior interest in the sport.
Through strategic partnerships, thoughtful production choices, and a commitment to uplifting content, Horowitz has positioned “Full Court Press” not just as a successful docuseries but as a model for the future of sports entertainment—one that celebrates athletes as complete individuals and creates new fans through compelling storytelling.
