Retired Athletes Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil Expand Portfolio with Mexican Football Team and YouTube Docuseries

**Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil: How Two Retired Superstars Are Building a Football Empire in Mexico—and Changing the Game for Athlete-Owned Media** The day Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil officially took control of the Monterrey Osos, the stands at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey roared louder than usual.

It wasn’t just the crowd—it was the weight of history. Griffin, the 14-year NBA veteran known for his gravity-defying dunks and clutch performances, and Kalil, the former Carolina Panthers offensive lineman with a reputation for leadership, had spent years dominating their respective sports.

Now, they were stepping into uncharted territory: not as players, but as owners, producers, and the faces of a bold new experiment in sports entertainment.

Their latest venture, the YouTube docuseries *We Are Osos*, which premiered on August 3, isn’t just a behind-the-scenes look at Mexican football—it’s a masterclass in how retired athletes are redefining their legacies by merging sports, media, and global culture. ### **From the Hardwood to the Gridiron—and Beyond** Griffin’s transition from basketball to football ownership mirrors a growing trend among retired athletes who refuse to let their careers end with their last game.

His move into American football wasn’t just a hobby—it was a calculated pivot. After a decorated NBA tenure (including two All-Star selections and a Finals appearance with the Los Angeles Clippers), Griffin had already dipped his toes into football as an analyst for Prime Video’s NBA coverage.

But ownership? That was different.

When he and Kalil, a three-time Pro Bowler, joined forces with NFL legends Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle to purchase the Monterrey Osos in January 2025, they weren’t just buying a team—they were buying a piece of Mexico’s rapidly expanding football culture.

The LFA, Mexico’s professional American football league, has been on the rise for years. Founded in 2016, it now boasts 16 teams, a passionate fanbase, and a growing international following.

The Osos, based in Monterrey—a city known for its industrial might and vibrant sports culture—have been a consistent contender. But under Griffin and Kalil’s leadership, the team isn’t just competing on the field; it’s becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Their ownership reflects a broader shift: retired athletes are no longer content to fade into commentary or endorsement deals. They want to own the narrative—and the business. ### **A Docuseries That Feels Like a Game-Changer** *We Are Osos* is more than a documentary about a football team.

It’s a deep dive into the lives of the players, the challenges of expanding a sport across borders, and the personal journeys of Griffin and Kalil as they navigate a new identity.

The series, which drops weekly on YouTube, blends high-stakes football action with intimate moments—from team meetings in Monterrey’s bustling streets to Griffin’s attempts to learn Spanish (a work in progress, if his early episodes are any indication).

Kalil, ever the strategist, has spoken openly about the shift in their focus. “Being done with our respective sports careers, we’ve been able to build more structure and roadmap out the future of Mortal Media,” he told a recent podcast.

Mortal Media, the production company co-founded by Griffin and Kalil in 2021, has already made waves with scripted hits like *Hello Tomorrow* (Apple TV+) and the *White Men Can’t Jump* reboot (Hulu).

But *We Are Osos* marks their first foray into self-distribution—a bold move in an industry where streaming platforms often dictate the terms. Griffin, ever the showman, has embraced the role of co-star.

In one early episode, he’s seen laughing with players during a team dinner, then later breaking down film with the coaching staff.

His NBA analyst experience shines through as he offers insights on strategy, but there’s also a raw, unfiltered side to him—like when he admits, between takes, that he’s still adjusting to the physical demands of football ownership.

“It doesn’t feel like you’re watching football in a different country with a different culture,” he says in the series. “It feels like you’re watching the future.” ### **A Cultural Bridge Between Two Worlds** The Osos’ ownership isn’t just about business—it’s about connection.

Griffin and Kalil have made it a point to immerse themselves in Monterrey’s football scene, from attending local youth clinics to engaging with fans on social media. The response has been overwhelming.

Mexican football fans, many of whom have followed the LFA’s growth with pride, have embraced the American stars as part of the family. On Twitter and Instagram, clips of Griffin high-fiving players or Kalil translating between English and Spanish have gone viral.

One fan wrote, *“Never thought I’d see Blake Griffin cheering in Spanish, but here we are.”* The cultural exchange isn’t one-sided. The Osos’ roster includes players like quarterback Brandon Rodriguez, a dual-threat who grew up idolizing NFL stars but found his home in Mexico’s league.

In *We Are Osos*, Rodriguez talks about the respect he has for Griffin and Kalil—not just as owners, but as athletes who understand the grind. “They don’t just talk about football,” he says in one episode.

“They live it.” ### **The Industry Impact: What This Means for Athlete-Owned Media** Griffin and Kalil’s move into self-distribution is more than a personal brand play—it’s a statement about the future of sports media.

Traditional networks and studios have long controlled the narrative around athletes, but figures like Griffin and Kalil are proving that retired players can be their own producers, distributors, and storytellers.

Their approach mirrors what we’ve seen with athletes like LeBron James (SpringHill Co.), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Seven Bucks Productions), and Tom Brady (TB12 Sports). But there’s something different about the Osos project.

While James and Johnson have focused on Hollywood and fitness, Griffin and Kalil are betting big on sports—and not just in the U.S. The LFA is one of the fastest-growing football leagues in the world, with a fanbase that spans Latin America and beyond.

By embedding themselves in Monterrey, they’re not just telling a story about football; they’re telling a story about globalization. ### **The Personal Stakes: What’s at Risk—and What’s to Gain** For Griffin and Kalil, this isn’t just about money—though there’s plenty at stake.

The Osos’ value has surged since their ownership group took over, with reports suggesting the team’s worth has doubled. But the real investment is time.

Griffin, now 34, has spoken about the pressure of maintaining relevance after retirement. “You spend your whole life being known for one thing,” he told a reporter earlier this year.

“Then suddenly, you’re not that guy anymore. So what do you do?” The answer, for him and Kalil, is to build something lasting.

Mortal Media’s shift to self-distribution isn’t without risk—YouTube’s algorithm can be unpredictable, and the docuseries format is crowded.

But their track record speaks for itself. *Hello Tomorrow* was praised for its fresh take on sci-fi, and *White Men Can’t Jump* brought nostalgia to a new generation. *We Are Osos* has the potential to do the same for football—if they can balance the highs of victory with the lows of setbacks. ### **The Fan Reaction: A Love Letter to the Underdog Sport** From the moment *We Are Osos* dropped, fans weren’t just watching—they were engaging.

Social media exploded with memes of Griffin’s “I don’t speak Spanish” moments, but also genuine appreciation for how he and Kalil are elevating the LFA’s profile. One tweet read: *“Blake Griffin just made Mexican football cool for American sports fans.

And we didn’t even know we needed it.”* The series has also sparked conversations about the future of American football. While the NFL dominates globally, leagues like the LFA offer something different—a faster, more dynamic game with a passionate local following.

Griffin, ever the optimist, has hinted that the Osos could one day host an international game, bringing Monterrey’s energy to a global stage. ### **Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Osos Empire?** So where does this go from here? Griffin and Kalil have hinted at bigger plans.

Mortal Media is in talks with other sports leagues, and the Osos’ success could open doors for more athlete-owned teams in emerging markets.

Kalil has mentioned exploring a potential spin-off series focusing on the LFA’s offseason training camps, while Griffin has teased a “behind-the-scenes” look at his NBA analyst work—blurring the lines between his past and present. But for now, the focus is on Monterrey.

The Osos are in the thick of the LFA playoffs, and *We Are Osos* is giving fans a front-row seat to the drama. Whether they win the championship or fall short, one thing is clear: Griffin and Kalil aren’t just owners.

They’re storytellers, entrepreneurs, and—if the response is any indication—the future of how retired athletes build their legacies. As Griffin puts it in the series’ premiere: *“We’re not just here to watch.

We’re here to play.”* And in the world of sports entertainment, that’s exactly what fans want to see.