The entertainment studio launched by the NFL‘s Kansas City Chiefs has set its executive team, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Foolish Club Studios, the venture that the Chiefs announced just before this year’s Super Bowl, will be led by CEO Mark Donovan and COO Laura Krug.
Donovan also serves as president of the Chiefs, with Krug also working as the team’s executive vp of media and marketing.
In addition, Chiefs CFO Dan Crumb will serve in the same capacity for the studio, while Gelsomina Picariello will work as head of studio and development for Foolish Club, while also working as senior director of media and programming for the Chiefs.
Foolish Club Studios is is a tribute to Chiefs and American Football League founder Lamar Hunt, with the original owners embracing the “foolish” effort to try and take on the National Football League. As the Chiefs have become a dominant force in the NFL, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and stars like Travis Kelce, their relevance in popular culture has also grown.
The Chiefs were featured in a Hallmark Channel original movie last year, with a docuseries called The Kingdom coming to ESPN platforms later this year. Foolish Club is a producer on both projects, with others in development.
“The idea for Foolish Club Studios was sparked a few years ago, and to see it evolve into a fully operational studio is a testament to the entrepreneurial drive my father exemplified,” Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “Storytelling has always been integral to the Chiefs franchise, and by pushing boundaries and inspiring innovative thinking, we have developed yet another exciting way to make authentic connections with sports fans around the world. I look forward to the great stories that Foolish Club Studios will bring to life on the screen.”
