Fort Myers entertainment company appoints new CEO

A Michigan sports broadcaster has been appointed CEO of Fort Myers-based sports film and production financier GameAbove Entertainment.

Matt Shepard has 25 years of experience as the voice of Michigan sports, working with the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Eastern Michigan University football and University of Michigan basketball.

“Matt’s sports broadcasting and experience and commitment to excellence perfectly align with our mission to revolutionize the entertainment industry,” Keith Stone, founder and chair of GameAbove, says in a statement. “His high-level of quality, preparation, attention to detail and utmost professionalism with everything he’s involved in, combined with his remarkable talent as a storyteller, will make him a fantastic addition to our Entertainment division leadership team.”

In his role as CEO, Shepard will oversee GameAbove Entertainment’s portfolio of films as well as video content while remaining in Michigan, according to a statement. Recent productions for the brand include "ECHL Unfiltered," which follows the Idaho Steelheads’ 2023–2024 hockey season, and "Iceman: A George Gervin Story," documenting the influence of the San Antonio Spurs player on the NBA and the sport.

“Keith's willingness to allow me to still broadcast allows me to stay connected to sports and entertainment, which will benefit GameAbove,” Shepard says in a statement. “That's what matters most to me: finding ways to expand the GameAbove brand and the high-quality production work we provide. … I look forward to working with the talented team members to achieve new heights and create transformative media experiences for fans and communities alike.”

GameAbove launched in 2019 as a philanthropic brand to support Eastern Michigan University, which is chairman Stone’s alma mater. In the years since, the company has grown to support various for-profit and philanthropic ventures in sports entertainment, media and capital initiatives. Divisions include GameAbove Capital, which invests in businesses; GameAbove Entertainment, which produces and finances sports films; GameAbove Sports, which invests in franchises and leagues, sports management and youth sports development; and GameAbove Giving, which has provided more than $34 million since 2019 to philanthropic causes like youth STEM and literacy education and combating food insecurity.