Shawne Merriman was a strong quarterback for eight years in the NFL, making three Pro Bowl appearances and winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Now, Merriman is trying his hand at building his own streaming service.
he recently launched lights out sports — The free sports TV streaming service will feature a number of sports genres, including his own mixed martial arts promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting.
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Shawne Merriman attends Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Merriman told Fox News Digital in a recent interview that he got the idea from watching other free TV channels and noticed a lack of sports content. His channel will include chess tournaments, the World Poker Tour, and even TNA Wrestling.
“We always had the idea of having locker rooms in one place, and that’s what we did,” he said. “It’s completely free, 100% free. It’s going to be broadcast on all the major TV platforms. And it’s going to be available to watch all over the world right away. That was my main goal.”
Merriman said he partnered with OTTera to help create the channel. He said he needed to learn the ad tech side of the business while coming up with an idea of what he wanted the channel to be.
The former San Diego Chargers star said he was interested in how production works even before joining Lights Out Extreme Fighting and Lights Out Sports. .
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September 20, 2009. San Diego, California, USA. San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawn Merriman stares at the scoreboard during the fourth quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. (Mark J. Revillas-USA TODAY Sports)
“Looking back now, there was a different level of curiosity than I had then,” he told FOX News Digital. “I remember going to Sunday night games and looking at the cameras and lights and the people working there and always asking questions.
“That’s how I came to understand and love the production side of things. That’s why I got involved in the production side with ‘Lights Out Xtreme Fighting.’ We’re all about was produced in-house and was always curious about it. I didn’t know about it. That would lead me here.”
Lights Out Xtreme Fighting’s Lights Out 16 will be streamed on Lights Out Sports. It will be a five-hour show and will feature 19 games.
Shawne Merriman attends Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Merriman tried to hide his excitement over all the big moves he made, but he couldn’t help but be ecstatic about the launch of his channel and the success of his MMA promotion.
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“I don’t get too excited…I get excited, but I don’t pat myself on the back anymore. I feel like I have to do it. Certain things, I don’t really celebrate.”But all the major When I saw it on the TV platform, I thought this was a great help. ”
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