There’s a new wave of sports media happening in Western Pennsylvania. It’s no longer just newspapers and television stations telling the stories. Independent media platforms are giving athletes, coaches, and communities the spotlight they deserve.
One of the people leading that movement is Christian Perkins, founder of Triple Thr3at Media.
Based in Pittsburgh, Triple Thr3at Media has quickly built a reputation for producing high-quality sports content through photography, videography, interviews, podcasts, documentaries, graphics, and social media coverage. But for Perkins, the camera has always been about something bigger than content.
It’s about preserving moments. It’s about giving athletes recognition they’ll have forever. It’s about making sure the stories behind the highlights never get forgotten.
From youth sports to high school athletics and beyond, Triple Thr3at Media has become a platform where players, coaches, and programs can share their journeys while building their personal brands.
As sports continue evolving, so does the way athletes are discovered. Today, exposure matters. Relationships matter. Storytelling matters.
Perkins understands that.
His vision extends far beyond posting highlights on social media. He wants Triple Thr3at Media to become one of the region’s premier independent sports media companies by expanding into documentary filmmaking, live event coverage, recruiting features, sports marketing, athlete branding, and multimedia production for schools and organizations.
Most importantly, he wants to build something that benefits the community. His mission is simple: Every athlete has a story worth telling. Every community has stories worth preserving. And every young athlete deserves someone willing to shine a light on their journey.
As Western Pennsylvania continues producing outstanding athletes, platforms like Triple Thr3at Media are helping ensure those accomplishments reach a much larger audience.
Q: What inspired you to start Triple Thr3at Media?
A: Triple Thr3at Media started because I saw a gap in how athletes’ stories were being told. A lot of talented athletes weren’t getting the exposure they deserved, especially at the high school level. I wanted to create a platform that went beyond scores and stats and gave athletes, coaches, and communities a place where their journeys, hard work, and personalities could be highlighted. As a former athlete myself, I know what it means to have someone believe in your story.
Q: Why was it important for you to focus on telling athletes’ stories instead of just posting highlights?
A: Highlights show what happened for a few seconds. Stories explain everything it took to get there. Every athlete has obstacles they’ve overcome, sacrifices they’ve made, and people who’ve helped them along the way. Those are the things that inspire others and create lasting memories. That’s what I want Triple Thr3at Media to be known for.
Q: What does the name “Triple Thr3at Media” mean to you?
A: The name comes from being versatile. In basketball, a triple threat means you can shoot, pass, or drive. I wanted the brand to represent being able to do it all—photography, videography, storytelling, branding, interviews, documentaries, and creative content. The “3” also represents excellence in multiple areas instead of limiting ourselves to just one.
Q: How has sports media changed since you first got started?
A: Sports media has become much more digital and personal. Social media has given athletes opportunities to build their own brands, and independent creators now have a major voice. It’s no longer just TV stations covering sports. People want authentic content, behind-the-scenes access, and real stories.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge in building an independent media platform?
A: Building trust and consistency. People have to know that when Triple Thr3at Media shows up, they’re getting professional content every single time. Growing a business while wearing every hat—photographer, videographer, editor, marketer, and business owner—is challenging, but it’s also rewarding.
Q: What’s one moment or story you’ve covered that you’ll never forget?
A: Honestly, it’s not one specific moment. It’s seeing athletes genuinely excited when they receive professional photos or videos of themselves. Watching families share those memories and seeing athletes gain confidence because someone believed in telling their story, that never gets old.
Q: How important is photography and videography in helping athletes build their personal brands today?
A: It’s essential. College coaches, recruiters, and fans often discover athletes online before they ever meet them. Professional visuals help athletes tell their story, showcase their work ethic, and separate themselves from thousands of others. Your brand matters as much as your performance.
Q: What separates Triple Thr3at Media from other sports media platforms?
A: We focus on relationships first. We’re not just showing up for the big game, we’re investing in the people behind the jersey. We want athletes to feel seen, schools to feel supported, and communities to feel represented. We care about the story just as much as the final score.
Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to start their own media company?
A: Start with what you have. Don’t wait until you have the most expensive camera or perfect equipment. Focus on consistency, learn your craft every day, network with people, and always overdeliver. Your reputation will open more doors than your gear.
Q: How much work goes on behind the scenes that people never see?
A: Probably 90% of the job. Planning, scheduling, filming, editing, color grading, social media strategy, communicating with schools, creating graphics, organizing files, and running the business all happen before people ever see one post.
Q: What skills have you had to learn besides shooting photos and videos?
A: Branding, graphic design, marketing, social media strategy, business management, networking, customer service, communication, and storytelling. Running a media company requires much more than creativity.
Q: Where do you see Triple Thr3at Media five years from now?
A: I see Triple Thr3at Media becoming one of the premier sports media brands in Western Pennsylvania and beyond. I want us producing documentaries, covering major sporting events, helping athletes with personal branding, partnering with schools and businesses, and building a team of creatives who share the same passion for storytelling.
Q: You mentioned expanding into documentaries, recruiting features, athlete branding, and sports marketing. Which of those excites you the most and why?
A: Documentaries excite me the most because they allow us to tell complete stories. They give people a chance to understand what athletes and coaches go through behind the scenes. Those stories can inspire generations.
Q: What role do you think independent media platforms now play in high school sports?
A: Independent media has become one of the biggest amplifiers for local athletes. We help create exposure, preserve memories, build excitement around programs, and connect communities. Sometimes we’re giving athletes visibility they otherwise wouldn’t receive.
Q: How important is it for schools and businesses to invest in local sports media?
A: It’s extremely important. Investing in local sports media helps promote student-athletes, strengthens school pride, builds community engagement, and creates opportunities for businesses to connect with families in meaningful ways. Everyone benefits.
Q: If you could document one athlete, coach, or sports story from Western Pennsylvania, past or present, who would it be?
A: I’d love to document the Aliquippa football tradition as well as Avonworth. The history, the culture, the resilience of both communities , and the impact the program has had on generations of athletes is something that deserves a full documentary. It’s bigger than football.
Q: What does success look like for Christian Perkins outside of numbers and followers?
A: Success is making a lasting impact. It’s knowing athletes felt valued, families have memories they’ll keep forever, communities feel represented, and young people are inspired to chase their dreams. If I can build something that outlives me and creates opportunities for others, that’s success.
Q: What’s one message you want every young athlete who appears on Triple Thr3at Media to remember?
A: Your story matters. Never let your circumstances define your future. Stay humble, stay hungry, keep working, and remember that who you become as a person will always matter more than the sport you play.
Q: How can schools, coaches, businesses, and organizations partner with Triple Thr3at Media?
A: We’re always looking to build meaningful partnerships. Whether it’s game coverage, documentaries, media days, recruiting content, athlete branding, promotional videos, social media campaigns, or community events, our goal is to help organizations tell their stories at the highest level.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your mission and what’s next for Triple Thr3at Media?
A: Triple Thr3at Media is about more than sports, it’s about legacy. We’re here to document moments that become memories, celebrate the people who make communities special, and create opportunities for athletes to be seen and heard. This is only the beginning. We’re building something that will continue to grow, inspire, and make an impact for years to come.