Welcome to Created, the newsletter that’s more valuable than a Super Bowl ad. Here’s what we got today:
- NFL doubles down on YouTubers
- The return of "Creator Clash"
- Roundup of YouTube thumbnails
NFL Launches "Creator Bowl" with Kai Cenat & Speed
With the Super Bowl this Sunday, the lines between creator and athlete are becoming blurrier than ever.
I mean, ever wonder why every athlete seems to have a podcast these days?
It’s because the NFL is actively helping.
Here’s why that matters…whether you’re a football fan or not:
Give Them The Footage
In 2023, the NFL launched the Access Pass Program, giving select YouTubers access to game footage for their videos.
The result? More than 200M views from those creators.
Now, the league is expanding the program to former players like Cam Newton, Brandon Marshall and J.T. O’Sullivan.
For ex-NFL players, YouTube is the new ESPN desk. And the NFL wants in.
Flag Football, Anyone?
The NFL isn’t just trying to turn their players into creators.
They’re also bringing in top creators to attract new audiences (hey, Taylor Swift at Chiefs games only expands your demo so much).
Enter Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed — two of today’s biggest streamers — who the NFL announced will face-off in a new flag football game many are calling the “Creator Bowl.”
And you guessed it: the flag football game will air on the NFL’s YouTube channel.
Smart way to grow the channel, especially if it becomes an annual tradition.Our Take:
The NFL is taking a big bet on creators…but let’s put that in context by talking about another league: Major League Baseball.
Anyone remember that sport?
Sorry baseball fans, I had to say it. Well, the MLB lost tons of relevancy after limiting their own stars and fans from sharing game footage on social media as freely as the NFL.
They viewed creators as competition.
But the NFL sees them as collaborators. And this is just the start.
Expect to see more creators like Ryan Trahan announce NFL draft picks and Deestroying do challenges with players.Creator Boxing Event Returns After Losing $250,000
Creator Clash 3 is officially back and happening on June 28.
But what’s new, which creators are fighting, and most importantly, how is the event adapting after losing $250,000 last year?
Backstory
- 2022: iDubbbz launched the first Creator Clash. It started as a small boxing event but became a hit, selling over 100K pay-per-views.
- 2023: The second event failed to recreate the success. It struggled with piracy, lack of promotion, and ultimately lost a quarter of a million dollars.
- 2025: Creator Clash 3 is back with a new strategy — better promotion, a partnership with Live Nation, and a stronger focus on fundraising.
Who's Fighting?
This year’s lineup includes Harley Morenstein (Epic Meal Time) and Nathan Barnatt (Dad), alongside Minecraft stars Tubbo and Sapnap, and YouTube legend Freddie Wong.
What’s Changing?
To avoid last year’s financial struggles, Creator Clash 3 is making big changes:
- More Promotion: With Live Nation backing the event, marketing will be stronger than ever.
- A New Streaming Partner: Partnering with Veeps to reduce piracy issues and improve the livestream experience.
- A Charity-First Model: This time, all proceeds go to Stand Up To Cancer, with donations running through Tiltify.
- More BTS Content: A Creator Clash documentary series starts April 16, featuring training camps, interviews, and fight prep.
Our Take
Creator Clash isn’t just another influencer boxing event — it’s a case study in how to evolve and survive in the creator economy.
Launching a creator product or business means social media hype isn’t enough. Without the right infrastructure, even viral events can flop.
Creators who treat their events like businesses, not just content, are the ones who build something sustainable.
🎯 Weekly Roundup: Thumbnails
Here’s why we love these YT thumbnails. Hopefully they inspire your next one.
- Golden bottle labeled ‘Tap Water’ plays with expectations (Stanley Chen)
- Crisp lighting + sleek visuals emphasize the ‘PURE ASMR’ concept (asmr zeitgeist)
- Surreal image of boots made of fruit stops your scroll (5-Minute Crafts)
- Minimalist design + black & white illustration captures attention (Gawx Art)
🚀 Weekly Outlier
- Effortless Charm: Simone’s personality and humor make this more than just a DIY project.
- Common Problem: A fun take on an everyday problem (half-dirty clothes), designed to make laundry piles less of an eyesore.
- Surprisingly Functional: The final product actually works, proving that sometimes, “just winging it” leads to great ideas.
🎥 from the Studio
Beyond excited to share our new BTS video with MrBeast. I went on set for his “most brutal” episode of Beast Games.
Trains. Lambos. Crashes. A real-life Trolley Problem with $5M on the line.
💰 Job Board
- MaxNewsy is looking for a scriptwriter
- Sofie Dossi is looking for a full-time long-term video editor
- UpFlip is looking for a channel manager
🏆 The Created Referral Program
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Refer 5 friends: you’ll get my Top 50 Thumbnails book. It includes a detailed breakdown of why they work so you improve your packaging.
Trust me, these books are packed with more tips than most paid courses.
Copy this unique link and email, text, or post it: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]
👋 See You Inside
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– Jon
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