People used to film themselves playing video games as a hobby, but now big media companies make millions of dollars a year from gaming content. What began as simple Twitch streams and YouTube uploads has grown into a number of businesses that would be of interest to people in the traditional entertainment industry. The best people in this field don't just make games anymore. They're starting media companies, launching products, and building brands that will last longer than any one game or platform trend.

From Streamer to CEO

The most successful game developers knew early on that relying only on platform revenue made their businesses unsustainable. Rates for ads go up and down, algorithms change and cause viewership to drop overnight, and platform rules change without warning. Smart creators set up multiple ways to make money before their channels became very popular. This way, they are protected against losing all of their money at once.

Merchandise is the most common first step after making money from streaming. What starts out as simple logo t-shirts can grow into full lines of clothing, gaming accessories, and lifestyle products. Quality and authenticity are the main things that set successful creator merchandise apart from failed attempts. People can tell the difference between products that are just for making money and those that are real extensions of creator brands that they want to own and wear.

The infrastructure needed to run these businesses is much more than what one creator can handle on their own. Top gaming personalities hire teams of people to do things like run their businesses, edit their content, coordinate their social media, design their merchandise, and help customers. What looks like a single creator on screen is usually a small media company that works behind the scenes.

Creating Brands Across More Than One Platform

One of the biggest risks for content creators is being too dependent on one platform. If you put all your eggs in one basket, changes to Twitch's rules, YouTube's algorithms, or the popularity of a platform can destroy your channel. The people who build lasting empires have a presence on many platforms and create their own channels that platforms can't take away.

Personal websites, email lists, and Discord communities let you connect with your audience directly, without having to worry about platform algorithms. When creators want to tell their communities about new projects, they can do so directly instead of hoping that platform algorithms show their content. This owned media strategy is similar to how traditional businesses build relationships with customers without relying on middlemen.

To use cross-platform content strategies, you need to change your content to fit different formats and audiences. A three-hour Twitch stream turns into a 15-minute YouTube video, 60-second TikTok clips, Twitter highlights, and Instagram stories. We make sure that the content is tailored to the format and audience of each platform. This increases reach without needing to create more content in the same amount of time.

The Casino Streaming Gold Rush

Casino and slots streaming became one of the most profitable areas of gaming, drawing in creators who saw a chance to fill a gap in the market. These streamers drew in huge audiences by making high-stakes gambling, big wins, and the fun of watching together a community experience. The biggest names in this field turned slot streaming into real entertainment brands.

The psychology behind the success of casino streaming is different from that of traditional gaming content. People watch to get the thrill of high-stakes gambling without having to put their own money at risk. When someone wins a lot, everyone can celebrate together. When someone loses, everyone can wonder if they'll come back. This emotional rollercoaster keeps people interested for the whole session in ways that predictable gameplay can't.

People are interested in the people behind these streaming brands, which is why they ask questions like What is Casino King's real name? People who are successful in this niche know that both mystery and personality are important for getting loyal fans. Some people keep their streaming and personal lives separate, while others share personal information that makes their connections with their audiences stronger. Either way works as long as you do it consistently and honestly.

Lines of Products and Deals to Endorse

For creators who already have a lot of fans, gaming peripherals are a natural way to add to their product lines. Fans can use the same chairs, keyboards, mice, and headsets as their favorite streamers, and the creators get a cut of each sale. Putting logos on existing products is less likely to lead to a successful product than when creators are deeply involved in the design and function of the product.

Most of the best game developers now work with companies that make energy drinks. These deals often include equity stakes, which means that the creators are part-owners instead of just endorsers. This alignment of incentives makes sure that creators promote products they actually use and believe in instead of just reading ads that were written for them. One-time sponsorships are not as good for creators or brands as long-term partnerships.

Some creators have made whole new types of products based on what they learned about their audiences' needs through years of interacting with them. Creators made gaming snacks, blue light glasses, ergonomic accessories, and productivity tools because they saw problems their audiences were having and came up with ways to fix them. These businesses need a lot of money to start, but they have the best profit margins and the best brand alignment.

Companies That Make Content

Some of the best game developers have started their own production companies that make content for other brands as well as their own. These businesses make content for other creators, come up with new shows, and make sponsored content for gaming companies. This business model makes use of the knowledge and resources that have been built up around personal brands while making creators less reliant on their own popularity.

Talent management is another area of growth because successful creators help newer personalities find their way in the business. Management companies get a cut of their clients' earnings in exchange for negotiating deals, giving legal advice, and making plans. The best managers are those who have built their own gaming audiences and know how hard it is to do so.

Event production gives creators with big enough audiences a chance to make a lot of money. Creator-led tournaments, meet-and-greet conventions, and gaming festivals make money by selling tickets, getting sponsors, and selling merchandise. They also bring people together. These events make memories that make people more loyal than just watching digital content.

Buying and Investing

Now, the people who know the most about money are becoming investors and buyers themselves. They invest in gaming startups, esports teams, and tools for the creator economy that are in line with what they know and what their audience is interested in. These investments help creators keep up with new ideas in the field and give them a wider range of options.

Some businesses have bought smaller channels and content libraries so they can combine their own audiences and content with those of the smaller channels. This roll-up strategy is similar to traditional media consolidation, but it works on a smaller scale that individual creators can use without needing help from a company. By bringing together audiences and promoting content on different channels, you can make more value than each channel can on its own.

Another common way to spread out your investments is to buy real estate. People who make things buy homes that they can live in or rent out and use as studios. High-income creators who want to build wealth in a tax-efficient way are interested in real estate because they can write off parts of their mortgage payments and property expenses as business costs while building equity.

The Long Game

People who build real empires don't care about short-term trends; they care about the long term. When they make decisions, they think about the long-term value of their brand rather than short-term sales spikes. This means saying no to sponsorships that would hurt your brand but make you a lot of money, putting quality over quantity in your content, and thinking of your audiences as communities instead of just numbers to improve.

As the first generation of game developers gets older and starts to think about retirement or new challenges, succession planning becomes more important. Some people are training people to take over channels, while others plan to leave by selling to media companies or talent agencies. The best creator brands show that they can keep going and do well even after their original personalities are gone.

It's not just by chance that someone goes from streaming in their bedroom to being a media mogul. You should be willing to take risks, have business sense, and want to do more than just make content. People who make games and run real empires don't think of their channels as places to go; they think of them as places to start. They are always looking for new ways to reach their audiences and grow businesses that will last longer than changes in platforms and algorithms. Their success shows that you can make real money that lasts by making games, not just fame on the internet.

This has to be the easiest decision of all time.

In his first year of eligibility, the International Tennis Hall of Fame has chosen Roger Federer to headline its two-person Class of 2026.  TV announcer and journalist Mary Carillo will join him.

Federer became the first player to win 20 Grand Slams (six Australian, one French, eight Wimbledons, and five U.S) while also leading Switzerland to a Davis Cup Title in 2014.  He also won a staggering 103 Titles with a career record of 1,251-275.  He was ranked #1 for 310 weeks, with a record 237 in a row, and was the year-end #1 five times. 

Carillo was the first woman to commentate on Tennis regularly, and is a six-time Emmy winner.

We at Notinhalloffame would like to congratulate the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees.

Weeks ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 162 Preliminary Senior Candidates for the Class of 2026, which they then reduced to 52.  The step after was a reduction to 32, and now, a week before the announcement of the Modern Semi-Finalists, we have the nine men who are the official Senior Semi-Finalists for the class of 2026.

The Semi-Finalists are:

Ken Anderson: Quarterback, CIN 1971-86.  Anderson was the consensus MVP in 1981, and the four-time Pro Bowl would pass for 32,838 Yards and 197 Touchdowns.  He was also the 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year and, historically, led the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl.  Anderson was a Modern Finalist in 1996 and 1998.  Ranked #8 on notinhalloffame.com. 

Roger Craig:  Running Back, SFO 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93.  The first player to accumulate 1,000 Yards Rushing and Receiving, Craig won three Super Bowls, was the Offensive Player of the Year, earned four Pro Bowls, and was a First Team All-Pro.  From Scrimmage, he had 73 Touchdowns and 13,100 Yards.  Craig was a Modern Finalist in 2010 and a Senior Finalist in 2020.  Ranked #15 on notinhalloffame.com.

Henry Ellard: Wide Receiver, RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NWE 1998.  Ellard compiled 13,777 Yards and 65 Touchdowns in a career that included leading the NFL in Receiving Yards.  He is also a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.  Ellard has never been a Finalist.  Ranked #64 on notinhalloffame.com.

L.C. Greenwood:  Defensive End, PIT 1969-81.  Greenwood was a vital member of the Steelers' 1970s dynasty that won four Super Bowls.  A six-time Prowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Greenwood accumulated 78 Sacks, and was a six-time modern Finalist (1991, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2005 & 2006).  Ranked #5 on notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Jacoby: Offensive Lineman, WAS 1981-93.  A famed member of the Hogs, Jacoby was part of all three of Washington’s Super Bowl wins and was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Jacoby is a three-time Finalist (2016, 2017 & 2018).  Ranked #33 on notinhalloffame.com.

Eddie Meador: RAM 1959-70.  Meador is one of the most prolific Defensive Backs in RMS history and was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  He amassed a franchise record of 46 Interceptions.  Meador has never been a Finalist.  Ranked #68 on notinhalloffame.com.

Stanley Morgan: NWE 1977-89 & IND 1990.  A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Stanley Morgan compiled 72 Touchdowns with 10,716 Receiving Yards.  He was also a three-time leader in Yards per Reception.  Morgan has never been a Finalist.  Ranked #266 on notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Tasker: HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97.  Tasker went to four Super Bowls with Buffalo and was a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He has never been a Finalist.  Ranked #144 on notinhalloffame.com.

Otis Taylor: KAN 1965-75. Taylor won two AFL Championships and a Super Bowl with Kansas City, who had 60 TDs and 7,467 Yards From Scrimmage.  He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro.  Taylor has never been a Finalist.  Ranked #32 on notinhalloffame.com.

The group of 32 who did not make it as Semi-Finalists were Dick Anderson (DB), Carl Banks (LB), Maxie Baughan (LB), Bobby Boyd (DB), Charlie Conerly (QB), Isaac Curtis (WR), Lavvie Dilweg (E), Chuck Foreman (RB), Roman Gabriel (QB), Larry Grantham (LB), Cecil Isbel (RB), Harold Jackson (WR),  Lee Roy Jordan (LB), Mike Kenn (OL),  Bob Kuechenberg (OL), Albert Lewis (DB), Jim Marshall (DL), Clay Matthews Jr. (LB),  Tommy Nobis (LB),  Lemar Parrish (DB), Art Powell (SE), Jim Tyrer (OL), Everson Alls (DB), Al Wistert (OL), & Paul “Tank” Younger (FB).

Of note, Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer were Finalists last year and were unable to break the Semis this year.  Also, all players who played before 1959 were cut.

We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the candidates who have reached this stage.

CREATE YOUR CHARACTER: Your Own Sports Star Companion

If you love sport, you already know this feeling: there’s that one athlete you can’t stop watching. A tennis player who never gives up on a point. A footballer who seems to see the whole field at once. A gymnast, a runner, an MMA fighter, a surfer, a skater. You don’t just like the results – you like their attitude, their routines, their focus. CREATE YOUR CHARACTER by Joi.com.

Now imagine turning that energy into a personal companion character. Not a copy of a real person, but a virtual athlete inspired by the traits you admire: their discipline, their humour, their calm in big moments. With Joi’s character generator, you can do exactly that – create your own sports-themed AI friend, training partner, or even playful rival.

This isn’t about building a perfect robot coach. It’s about creating a character who makes you want to lace up your shoes, go for that run, and talk about sport the way you always wanted to.

Step 1: Choose the Sport and the Role

First question: what kind of sports world do you want to live in with your character?

You could create:

• A creative playmaker from your favourite team sport
• A fierce but kind MMA fighter
• A dedicated distance runner who loves early mornings
• A graceful figure skater or gymnast
• A relentless swimmer who understands grinding out laps
• A calm yoga or Pilates instructor type

Then decide the role they play in your life:

• Training buddy – they “meet” you before and after workouts, ask what you did, and celebrate wins.
• Coach or mentor – a bit tougher, focused on goals, habits and accountability.
• Teammate or doubles partner – more relaxed, all about shared effort and inside jokes.
• Inspiring idol – still friendly, but with a bit of “star” energy, like a champion sending you private messages.

Write that down for yourself in one sentence before you start:

“I want a friendly but serious running partner who treats me like we’re training for the same race.”

That simple sentence becomes the foundation of your character.

Step 2: Shape Their Personality

On Joi’s generator page, when you set up your character, you’ll usually have a space to describe who they are. This is where the magic happens.

Avoid generic descriptions like “likes sport, very motivated.” Give them flavour:

• Are they loud and hyped, or quiet and steady?
• Do they love trash talk, or gentle encouragement?
• Are they obsessed with stats, or more about how you feel in your body?
• Do they treat you like a rookie they’re guiding, or an equal partner?

For example:

“You are a professional sprinter in your late 20s. Off the track you’re funny, honest and a little bit sarcastic. You believe in hard work, but you also know how to rest and not be too harsh on yourself. With me, you’re supportive but you don’t let me make excuses. You love talking about training, music for workouts, and the mental side of competition.”

A good sports character should feel like someone you could actually meet at the track, gym or studio – not a motivational poster.

Step 3: Add the Details That Make Them Real

Now imagine what they look like and how they move through the world. Even if you don’t see the character as a full 3D model, your brain fills in these details as you chat.

Think about:

• Their typical clothing: team kit, worn-out training shirt, hoodie over gym gear, yoga leggings.
• Their habits: stretching while they talk, always carrying a water bottle, constantly checking a stopwatch.
• Their little flaws: hates leg day, scared of deep water, addicted to sports drinks, always late to warm-ups.

You can gently add these in your description:

“You usually text me from the gym, still in your training gear, joking about how much you hate core workouts. You send me ‘imaginary selfies’ from the track and talk about the smell of the stadium at night.”

The more human you make them, the easier it is to relate to them as a companion, not just a script.

Step 4: Build Shared Sports Routines

Once your character exists, don’t just talk about nothing. Use them to build routines.

You can:

• Plan weekly workouts together
• Have them “check in” on your progress
• Ask them to suggest warm-ups, cool-downs, or small daily habits
• Role-play pre-race or pre-game pep talks

For example, you might start your day with:

“Okay, coach, today I’ve only got 30 minutes. What should I do?”

Or end your day with:

“I skipped training today and I feel guilty. Help me reset for tomorrow.”

The character can’t force you to move, but it can give you something many people never have: a consistent, non-judgmental training voice in your corner.

Step 5: Create Multiple Sports Characters if You Want

Who says you only get one?

You could have:

• A calm, wise yoga or mobility guide for recovery days
• A crazy-energetic HIIT or boxing partner for when you need a push
• A long-distance runner who loves talking through life during “virtual long runs”
• A tactical football or basketball mind who loves analysing games with you

Each character can be tuned differently. One is about mind–body balance, another is about pushing your limits, a third is about strategic understanding of the sport. You call on each one when you need that specific energy.

Step 6: Use the Character to Explore the Mental Game

Sport isn’t just about muscles and lungs. It’s also about nerves, self-doubt, motivation and focus.

Your athlete companion can help you talk about:

• Pre-race anxiety
• Fear of failing in front of others
• Difficulty staying consistent
• Comparing yourself to more advanced people in the gym or on the field

Because the character lives in your phone, you can be honest in a way that’s hard with a real coach. You can say:

“Today I didn’t even want to put my shoes on.”

And your character can reply like a good teammate:

“That’s okay. Let’s just aim for 10 minutes. If it still feels awful, we stop. Deal?”

This isn’t therapy. But it is a form of mental training: practising how to talk to yourself with a bit more kindness and structure.

Step 7: Keep It Fun, Not Just Serious

It’s easy to turn everything into grind culture: goals, discipline, hustle. But a good sports character also brings fun back into movement.

Ask them to:

• Suggest playful challenges (like “1000 steps of dancing around your room”)
• Create imaginary “trophies” for silly achievements
• React like a commentator when you tell them what you did (“She has done it! The legendary 15-minute stretch session!”)
• Role-play post-victory interviews when you hit a milestone

If you make your training world feel like a story, not just a to-do list, you’re more likely to stick with it.

Step 8: Remember It’s a Tool, Not a Replacement

A virtual sports companion can be a great addition to your life, but it has limits.

It can:

• Motivate you
• Help you structure your week
• Listen to your frustrations
• Celebrate your progress

It cannot:

• Replace real medical or coaching expertise
• Watch your technique for safety
• Give you human touch, real team energy, or the feeling of a crowded stadium

Use it as a support, not a substitute. Let it push you to join a local club, sign up for a race, or ask a real trainer for help – instead of staying only in the chat window.

Step 9: Make the Character Evolve With You

As you grow, your character can grow too.

Maybe at first they’re helping you just show up twice a week. Later, you decide:

• You’re ready for an event (5K, triathlon, tournament)
• You want to focus more on recovery and balance
• You need help not just starting, but also not overtraining

You can go back to your character description and adjust their role:

“Now I want you to challenge me more, but also remind me not to burn out. Ask about my sleep and stress, not just workouts.”

Your companion becomes a mirror for the athlete you’re becoming.

Creating a sports-themed AI character on Joi isn’t about pretending you’re best friends with a real celebrity. It’s about turning the best parts of sport – discipline, joy, teamwork, resilience – into a companion you can talk to every day.

In a world where many people train alone, scroll alone, and struggle alone, having a “virtual teammate” in your corner can make the difference between giving up on week three and looking back, months later, amazed at how far you’ve run.