Dude Perfect, the entertainment and sports company started by five buddies posting trick-shot videos to YouTube, has brought a new dude to the team — it has hired senior NBA executive Andrew Yaffe as its CEO.
Yaffe’s hiring comes after Dude Perfect raised more than $100 million in growth capital from private investment firm Highmount Capital earlier this year. In the new role, Yaffe is tasked with expanding the brand “beyond traditional channels and solidifying Dude Perfect as a 21st century media company,” according to the announcement.
Prior to joining Dude Perfect, Yaffe served several leadership positions at the NBA, most recently as
EVP, head of social, digital and original content where he led content strategy, development, production and publishing across the basketball league’s social and direct-to-consumer channels.
Launched 15 years ago, Dude Perfect has amassed a following of over 100 million fans through their sports-centered content, including hundreds of trick-shot videos and content franchises on YouTube including “Stereotypes,” “Overtime” and “Bucket List.”
One of Dude Perfect’s biggest projects is its forthcoming headquarters facility in Frisco, Texas. First announced two years ago, the group describes it as a combination production facility and “family-friendly” entertainment destination, comprising a retail store and new spaces for podcasts and gaming. Original plans for the three-story headquarters, slated to cost as much as $100 million, called for a 330-foot “trick-shot tower,” a Dude Perfect museum, a mini-golf course and restaurants.
Dude Perfect also is planning to launch a multicity international tour and a Dude Perfect streaming app. The group was the subject of a ESPN “30 for 30” documentary, “Dude Perfect: A Very Long Shot,” which aired at the Dallas International Film Festival in April.
Yaffe, in a statement provided by the company, said, “Dude Perfect has built an amazing following and is leading the charge in delivering its audience great content, live events and expanding the business even further, and I’m incredibly proud to lead the team into this exciting new chapter.”
Jason Illian, co-founder and general partner at Highmount Capital, commented, “Andrew has continuously demonstrated outstanding leadership and a track record of success in launching innovative digital products and managing global content operations. As Dude Perfect expands beyond traditional channels and business lines, having Andrew at the helm is critical for navigating the evolving landscape. Andrew’s expertise makes him the perfect fit to drive the next phase of Dude Perfect’s growth and we are excited to welcome him aboard.”
Coby Cotton, one of Dude Perfect’s founders, said: “These 15 years since our very first trick-shot video have been the adventure of a lifetime, and we couldn’t be prouder of our team. Today we are thrilled to welcome Andrew to the Dude Perfect family and know that with his exceptional experience and shared belief in our mission of becoming the most trusted entertainment on earth that the next 15 will be even better.”
The five dudes — Tyler “The Bearded Guy” Toney, twin brothers Cory and Coby Cotton, Cody “The Tall Guy” Jones and Garrett “The Purple Hoser” Hilbert — launched their YouTube channel as college roommates at Texas A&M University. Beyond videos, the company produces books, mobile games, board games and toys, and merchandise, and has inked several retail and food and beverage partnerships.
