Connor Schell
Connor Schell is an American producer of television and film and founder of non-fiction production studio Words + Pictures. He is the co-creator with Bill Simmons and executive producer of the 30 for 30 series for ESPN. Schell was also an executive producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary film O.J.: Made in America and the Emmy Award-winning miniseries The Last Dance.
Connor Schell | |
|---|---|
Schell at the 70th Annual Peabody Awards | |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (BA) Columbia University (MA) |
| Occupation(s) | TV and film producer |
| Employer | ESPN |
| Organization | Peabody Awards Board of Directors |
| Children | 3 |
Until early 2021, Schell was executive vice president and head of content at ESPN. At ESPN, he oversaw the production of the NFL Draft, the College Football National Championship game, Wimbledon, the NBA Finals, and shows like College Gameday and SportsCenter. He is a member of the Peabody Awards board of directors and was inducted into the Sports Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame in 2012.
Schell left ESPN to start a joint venture with Chernin Entertainment, founding the non-fiction production studio Words + Pictures in 2021. Under the Words + Pictures banner, Schell has executive produced docuseries and films like Super League: The War for Football and an upcoming Christopher Reeve documentary.
In 2021, Schell and Chernin launched Full Day to focus on live entertainment, specials, and unscripted series such as The ESPYS and NFL Honors, as well as The Netflix Cup, the platform's first-ever live sports event.
In 2022, Words + Pictures acquired Hock Films, producers of films such as The Best That Never Was, Survive and Advance, Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies, and Of Miracles and Men.
In 2022, Schell sold Words + Pictures to Peter Chernin's The North Road Company. Schell currently sits on The North Road Company's Board of Directors.