Veteran media executive Michele Ghee is stepping into a new leadership role.
Ghee has worn various hats in the media industry and has managed more than $1 billion in revenue throughout her career, according to Deadline. Her resume includes roles at CNN (director of multicultural sales); BET (vice president of national ad sales and later senior vice president); Ebony & Jet (CEO); and TheGrio (president), per her LinkedIn. Most recently, she served as chief content officer at Essence Communications and is founder of the tech and content agency Expectant Media.
Ghee has now officially left her post at Essence as Expectant Media has been acquired by PlayersTV, the first athlete-owned media network and content provider, per Deadline. PlayersTV is backed by more than 70 athlete investors, including Chris Paul, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
Ghee will also assume the role of president of PlayersTV, effective immediately, Deadline reports. She had been serving on the PlayersTV board for the past two years, the outlet noted.
“As I close one chapter and step boldly into another, I’m filled with gratitude, clarity, and deep conviction. Thank you Martin Luther King Jr. for inspiring us to dream. After an incredible journey at ESSENCE, I’m stepping into ownership and leadership as President of PlayersTV, following the acquisition of Expectant Media. This moment isn’t just about a title or a transaction—it’s about alignment,” she said in a LinkedIn post. “2026 will be a powerful, purposeful, and exceptional year. This is a signal—especially to women, and to anyone who’s ever wondered if their experience truly mattered—that our pedigree, our relationships, our faith, and our lived experiences are not accidental. They are tools. They are leverage. They are preparation.”
At PlayersTV, Ghee’s industry experience in marketing, experiential branding, and culture will be used to elevate the network’s streaming video, news, and features as it aims to drive “live community-driven moments with athletes and fans,” the company said, per Deadline.
Ghee also notes to the outlet that there will be a “doubling down” on investing in female-athlete-led content distribution.
Financial terms were not shared, but there will be more updates in the coming weeks on PlayersTV’s plans following Ghee’s appointment, covering original programming, distribution, experiential partnerships, and brand collaborations, according to the outlet.
