Quadruple Grand Champion Naomi Osaka launches new media company – Hana Kuma – in partnership with NBA star james lebron‘ SpringHill Company, she announced on Tuesday. Osaka said Hana Kuma, which translates to “flower bear” in Japanese, will focus on culturally specific stories – but also have universal messages. These stories, she said, would be “bold and playful,” like her.
“I’ve built my career on taking a different approach than those around me and because my journey has been so different, it’s opened my eyes to all the amazing stories that go untold,” he said. shared Osaka on social media. “Stories that are global, about a variety of cultures and viewpoints, about important social issues.”
James and SpringHill Company partner Maverick Carter will assist Osaka with production and strategic resources, according to the press release.
Osaka wasted no time. His new production company already has a handful of projects lined up. The first is a New York Times documentary about Patsy Mink, the first woman of color elected to the United States Congress and the author of Title IX.
“There’s a reason we call ourselves an empowerment company,” James wrote on Twitter. “This amazing woman and the stories she will bring to life is EXACTLY what we are talking about!!! Incredibly proud to call her my partner.”
Hana Kuma is Osaka’s latest business venture. In May, the former world No. 1 launched an athlete representation agency called Evolve, with her longtime agent Stuart Duguid. Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios recently became the first player sign with Evolve.
