From the Court to the Culture
This summer, NBA legend Chris Paul heads to Miami Beach for the 2025 American Black Film Festival (ABFF)—not to play against the Miami Heat but to discuss his entrance into storytelling. The 12-time All-Star and former National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) president will appear in a highly anticipated “Pro Hollywood” session, offering the audience a peek into his expansion from athlete to media entrepreneur. Known for his commanding leadership on the court, Paul is now building something lasting off it—through Ohh Dip!!! Productions, a full-service media company devoted to amplifying diverse voices and authentic stories.
Shifting the Playbook
The session promises a candid conversation about his shift from calling plays in the NBA to shaping narratives behind the camera. It’s a natural next step for someone with long-balanced elite performance and social impact. With a growing portfolio of content and a commitment to purposeful storytelling, Paul is redefining what it means to lead far beyond the hardwood.
Building Ohh Dip!!! Productions
Founded in 2017 by Chris Paul and his brother C.J. Paul, Ohh Dip!!! Productions takes its name from a phrase the siblings often used growing up—an exclamation of excitement and surprise. Behind the playful name lies a serious mission: to produce culturally resonant, high-quality content for audiences often overlooked by traditional media.
A Mission Rooted in Representation
“Our company reflects who we are as people… Passionate, Professional, and Prideful,” reads the company’s guiding mantra. As a boutique, full-service media house, Ohh Dip!!! continues to extend its footprint with scripted features, docuseries, and digital projects. And Paul is clear—this isn’t a vanity venture. It’s a deliberate platform built to elevate untold stories.
In past interviews, Paul has emphasized the company’s broad reach. “We’re doing all different types of projects across a wide spectrum,” he said. That includes sports, education, culture, and social justice—each tied to a core belief: content should do more than entertain. It should enlighten, embolden, and inspire.
Producing with Purpose
Among Ohh Dip!!!’s most acclaimed projects is “Why Not Us,” a powerful ESPN+ docuseries that explores life at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Whether following North Carolina Central University’s basketball team or spotlighting HBCU dance lines and football programs, each episode uplifts legacy, creativity, and resilience. “These schools do more with less,” Paul said. “It’s important we celebrate what makes them special.”
Documenting Athlete Activism
The company also played a critical role in “Blackballed,” a searing documentary about the fallout from then-Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks. Paul, who experienced the controversy firsthand as a team leader, co-produced the film, which helped define a new era of athlete activism.
That momentum continued with “The Day Sports Stood Still” on HBO, directed by Antoine Fuqua. The documentary chronicled the sudden shutdown of professional sports during the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial justice protests that followed. As NBPA president, Paul was at the center of the movement. The film offered an intimate glimpse into how athletes became organizers—using their platforms to spark collective action.
A New Script, A New Lane
Now, Paul has stepped into scripted filmmaking with “American Sole,” a feature about the sneaker resale market. Co-produced with Kevin Hart and starring Pete Davidson, the film blends hustle, humor, and cultural commentary. For Paul—whose love of sneakers is well known—it’s a passion project with real commercial and creative resonance.
More Than Just a Producer
What distinguishes Paul from many athletes-turned-producers is his intentionality. Whether collaborating on a project with Ava DuVernay or launching original work through his company, he consistently seeks out stories with meaning. “We’re always looking for stories that are more than just entertainment,” he said. That focus positions Ohh Dip!!! as a vital and innovative force in today’s media ecosystem.
Storytelling as Strategy
At ABFF, Paul will elaborate on this vision—how storytelling, like sports, can reinvigorate communities, ignite change, and preserve cultural identity. His appearance reflects a broader industry shift: athletes no longer merely endorse content. They’re producing it, owning it, and reshaping the narratives Black audiences see.
Leading by Lifting
He continues to show that leadership isn’t confined to box scores or highlight reels. As a producer, he’s using his influence to champion underrepresented voices, reject harmful stereotypes, and promote stories that expand the conversation. His NBA legacy isn’t just about media—it’s about meaning.
A Masterclass in Cultural Power
For fans, filmmakers, and culture shapers alike, Paul’s ABFF session promises to be more than a celebrity panel—it will serve as a masterclass in reinvention, representation, and the storytelling power of purpose. And just like his most iconic assists on the court, Paul’s latest work is about elevation—spotlighting the stories that matter most and reimagining what it truly means to lead.
