Jerome Baker, the linebacker recently signed by the Seattle Seahawks and formerly with the Miami Dolphins, has made an investment in FilmHedge, an Atlanta-based media lending company. After securing a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Dolphins in 2021, Baker joined the Seahawks in 2024 with a $7 million one-year contract.
FilmHedge, which facilitates financial transactions for Film/TV investors through its fin-tech platform, is recognized as a leading lender in Hollywood, processing over $1.6 billion annually in applications from Film/TV producers.
Baker’s interest in FilmHedge was piqued during a conversation with CEO Jon Gosier at a charity event organized by the Yusaf Babar Foundation. The dialogue about the burgeoning opportunities in Film and TV finance, emphasizing private credit and wealth preservation, led to Baker’s investment. In partnership with Yusaf Babar, Baker has also launched a real estate investment firm, JB & YB LLC, based in Broward County.
Gosier highlighted the advantages of investing in the media sector, noting the significant tax-saving opportunities that financing Film, TV, and Broadway productions can offer. He pointed out that such strategies, which include leveraging state tax credits and media-related deductions under the U.S. tax code, benefit various professionals and high net worth individuals by offsetting their state and federal tax liabilities, sometimes by millions.
FilmHedge has developed expertise in acquiring, financing, and transferring state tax credits related to media production financing. The firm has also devised a strategy that utilizes deductions from the Internal Revenue Code to benefit investors.
Gosier hopes that more professional athletes will understand the dual benefits of capital gains and tax efficiencies in wealth growth, akin to strategies used by family offices and other wealthy entities. He emphasized that investing in media finance should be considered a part of estate planning and requires guidance from specialized national tax firms, with whom FilmHedge collaborates.
In February, Baker committed an undisclosed amount to FilmHedge and plans to continue supporting the company in various capacities.
