Michael Strahan turned down short-term offers to build a media and apparel empire. Co-founder Constance Schwartz-Morini explains the partnership strategy and the lesson for athletes.
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Michael Strahan retired from the NFL with a clear idea of what he would not do. He turned down offers that did not match his long-term vision, even when the money was good. That discipline, he said, set the foundation for a media and apparel empire.
Strahan sat at home unsure of his next move, torn between returning to football and trying something new. He chose broadcasting, despite having no experience in the field. The decision paid off. Strahan, now co-anchor of "Good Morning America" and host of "$100,000 Pyramid," built a business that reaches far beyond television.
In 2010, he and longtime business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini co-founded SMAC Entertainment. The firm has since expanded into consumer apparel through WEAR by Erin Andrews and into podcasting with "The Intersection". Schwartz-Morini, SMAC's CEO, said the partnership succeeded because it valued alignment over ego. "Successful business partnerships do not require close friendships," she said. "They require shared goals and work ethic."
Strahan added that setting aside personal ego for common success helped achieve business objectives more effectively. The transition from athlete to executive was not easy. Strahan said leaving football was challenging because it was central to his identity and almost led him to return. He and Schwartz-Morini addressed the gap by building a trusted team and using Strahan's visibility to open doors. They stayed committed to authentic leadership despite resistance.
Strahan's approach mirrors strategies used by other Black sports figures. Earvin "Magic" Johnson built Magic Johnson Enterprises, a multi-industry firm that invested directly in diverse communities. LeBron James co-founded The SpringHill Company, an entertainment platform that empowers Black creators.
Schwartz-Morini advised modern creators and executives to "use the game, rather than be used by it." She emphasized creative control and revenue diversification through tactical partnerships. Strahan said aspiring founders should identify secondary interests early and learn from every experience.
The pair's 15-year partnership shows that ownership and equity can create generational stability. For athletes looking to follow the same path, Schwartz-Morini's advice is simple: use the game, not the other way around.
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