Peyton Manning doesn't do "retirement" the way most Hall of Famers do. While some guys are content hitting the links at Augusta or doing the occasional car commercial, the five-time MVP is basically running a shadow empire from his home base in Denver. Honestly, if you’ve been looking for the latest Peyton Manning news, you might have noticed a shift. He isn’t just the guy on your TV screen anymore—he’s the guy owning the screen itself.
It’s January 2026, and Manning has just pulled off another massive business pivot that most people didn’t see coming. His company, Omaha Productions, just inked a deal to produce the "Game of the Week" for League One Volleyball (LOVB). Yeah, you read that right. Volleyball. It’s a move that signals Manning is no longer just "the football guy." He’s a media mogul who is diversifying his portfolio faster than he used to read a Tampa 2 defense.
The ManningCast Isn't Dying—It’s Just Growing Up
There’s been some chatter lately about the ManningCast ratings. Some critics say the novelty has worn off. It’s been five years since the show debuted, and sure, the overnight numbers aren't what they were in 2022. But focusing on the Nielsens is missing the point entirely.
Peyton and Eli just finished their fifth season of the ManningCast with a Wild Card finale featuring J.J. Watt and Ben Roethlisberger. The ratings might be "down" in traditional terms, but the cultural footprint is massive. More importantly, ESPN and Omaha Productions are locked in through 2034. That is a decade of guaranteed Manning on your television.
The secret sauce for 2026? Tech.
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Peyton is obsessed with the new XR (Extended Reality) setups. During this past season, we saw him literally "step into" the film, standing behind an offensive line in a virtual environment to show exactly what a quarterback sees. It’s not just a broadcast anymore; it’s a masterclass. He’s taking the "Sheriff" persona and turning it into a high-tech teaching tool.
Is NFL Ownership Actually On The Table?
This is the question every Broncos and Colts fan asks every six months. Does Peyton Manning want to buy an NFL team?
In a recent chat, Manning was pretty blunt about it. He told reporters, "I don’t think that’s anywhere on my radar." He’s currently enjoying being an ambassador for his former teams and staying close to the Walton-Penner family in Denver. But here’s the thing: Manning is a minority owner now—just not in the NFL.
In June 2025, he officially joined the ownership group for Denver’s NWSL expansion team, which is set to debut later this year in 2026. He’s following the Eli Manning blueprint here (Eli has a stake in Gotham FC). By getting into women's soccer, Peyton is learning the ropes of sports ownership without the multi-billion-dollar headache of the NFL... yet.
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What Omaha Productions Is Doing Behind The Scenes
If you think Peyton is just sitting in his basement in a quarter-zip, you haven't been paying attention to the business trades. Omaha Productions is valued at over $400 million now. They’ve moved way beyond the NFL.
- Scripted Series: They’re working on "Chad Powers" for Hulu, a show based on Eli's undercover walk-on character.
- The "Places" Universe: It’s not just Peyton’s Places anymore. They have Stephanie’s Places (Stephanie McMahon) and Rabil’s Places (Paul Rabil) launching this year.
- Volleyball Growth: The LOVB deal is huge because it puts Peyton in charge of the storytelling for a rising pro league.
Manning is basically becoming the Kevin Hart of sports media. He’s everywhere. He’s producing docuseries like Quarterback and Receiver for Netflix, and he’s doing it with a level of access that only a guy with his rings can get.
The Belichick Factor
One of the most interesting bits of recent Peyton Manning news is how he’s integrated Bill Belichick into the family business. In 2025 and early 2026, Belichick became a "permanent guest" on the ManningCast. Seeing the most cerebral quarterback and the most defensive-minded coach talk shop has changed the way people watch the game.
It’s also a smart business play. By hiring his former rivals, Manning is essentially "buying" the intellectual property of the NFL's golden era.
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Why 2026 Is Different For The Sheriff
We are seeing a version of Peyton Manning that is more relaxed but more ambitious. He’s not coaching. He’s not a GM. He’s something else. He’s a gatekeeper.
If you’re a young quarterback like Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels, you want to be on Peyton’s radar. You want to be on his shows. You want the "Manning Seal of Approval." He’s parlayed his on-field greatness into a position where he is the unofficial voice of the league.
How To Keep Up With Peyton Manning This Year
If you're a fan trying to follow the latest updates, you need to look past the ESPN schedule. Here is how Manning’s 2026 is actually shaking out:
- Watch the Super Bowl Prep: While they didn't call the game this year, the Mannings are officially slated to do a ManningCast for Super Bowl LXI in 2027. The prep and "test runs" will happen throughout the 2026 season.
- Denver NWSL Debut: Keep an eye on the summer. Peyton will be front and center for the launch of the Denver women's soccer franchise. It's his first real test as a professional sports executive.
- The Volleyball Launch: The LOVB partnership starts now. If you want to see if Omaha Productions can make volleyball as "cool" as the NFL, watch the Wednesday night broadcasts on USA Network.
- Coaching Endorsements: Peyton has started using his platform to stump for coaches he likes. He recently went on record supporting Arthur Smith for a head coaching return. When Peyton talks, owners listen.
Peyton Manning isn't going back to the sidelines. He’s building a world where the sidelines come to him. Whether it's through his production company, his ownership stakes, or his tech-heavy broadcasts, the "Sheriff" is still the one calling the plays. He’s just doing it from a boardroom in Denver instead of a huddle in Indy.