Provo, UT—July 9, 2025

Angel, the film & TV distribution platform curated by over one million members of the Angel Guild, proudly announces the signing of the anticipated sports drama from Wayfarer Studios, THE SENIOR, and sets new nationwide theatrical release on September 19, 2025. 

Directed by Rod Lurie (THE CONTENDER, STRAW DOGS) and written by Robert Eisele (THE GREAT DEBATERS), THE SENIOR is based on the true story of Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis) who, 35 years after getting kicked off his college football team, decides to return to the gridiron for his senior year of eligibility and prove to his family, former teammates, and himself that it’s never too late to tackle your dreams. Mary Stuart Masterson, Brandon Flynn, James Badge Dale, and Rob Corddry round out the cast.

“THE SENIOR is the kind of story that reminds us it’s never too late to defy expectations, overcome regrets, and live out your purpose,” said Brandon Purdie, Global Head of Theatrical Distribution and Brand Development at Angel. “The Angel Guild resonated with Mike’s inspiring story, Rod’s vision to bring this true story to life, and the engaging performances from this exceptional cast.  We’re excited to partner with Wayfarer Studios to champion this film that aligns so closely with our mission to amplify light through powerful storytelling.”

“THE SENIOR is so much more than a film, it’s the embodiment of everything we believe in at Warfarer Studios,” said Andrew Calof, President of Production at Wayfarer. “At its core, it’s a story about the unshakable power of faith, the bonds of family, and the relentless spirit that lives in all of us; no matter our age or circumstance. Rooted in the heart of America and centered around the world of football, it taps into something deeply human: the idea that perseverance, determination, and belief can carry us farther than we ever imagined. We’re incredibly proud to bring this film to life in partnership with Angel, whose commitment to creating impact for good mirrors our own mission; to tell stories that move people and make a difference.” 

THE SENIOR is produced by Mark Ciardi (THE ROOKIE, INVINCIBLE) and Campbell McInnes (A MILLION MILES AWAY) of Select Films, Justin Baldoni and Andrew Calof of Wayfarer Studios (IT ENDS WITH US). Wayfarer Studios’ Steve Sarowitz and Tracy Ryerson, Ten Acre Films’ Kelly Williams and Jonathan Duffy, John Kang, Mike Ilitch, Jr. and Ricardo A. Salas of Unity Entertainment, and Robert Eisele are executive producers on the project. Imene Meziane negotiated and penned the deal for THE SENIOR on behalf of Wayfarer.

THE SENIOR will be sold internationally through Voltage Pictures/The Exchange.

Chiklis is repped by Gersh and Entertainment 360, with legal representation by Ziffren Brittenham. Masterson is repped by Paradigm and Untitled Entertainment. Corddry is repped by Buchwald and Artists First, with legal representation by Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox. Flynn is repped by Paradigm and Untitled Entertainment, with legal representation by Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham. Lurie is repped by Adam Kantor and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. Eisele is repped by Echo Lake Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein. 

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ABOUT WAYFARER STUDIOS: 

Wayfarer Studios is an independent studio actively developing, producing, and fully financing a slate of highly original, genre-defining, and globally impactful feature films, episodic television, documentaries, unscripted series, and podcasts. Co-founded by Justin Baldoni and Steve Sarowitz, and led by CEO Jamey Heath and President Tera Hanks, the studio’s work highlights the power of human connection—debunking the traditional studio model by championing inspirational stories that serve as true agents for social change.

Wayfarer Studios’ current slate includes IT ENDS WITH US, EZRA, THE GARFIELD MOVIE, A NICE INDIAN BOY (a New York Times Critics’ Pick and Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), CODE 3, THE SENIOR, EMPIRE WAIST, and ELEANOR THE GREAT, which recently held its World Premiere at the 78th Festival de Cannes. Its documentary features include WILL & HARPER, RACIST TREES, THE HERRICANES, and BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.

In 2021, Wayfarer launched the highly successful and four-time Webby-nominated THE MAN ENOUGH PODCAST. For more information, please visit www.wayfarerstudios.com.

ABOUT ANGEL STUDIOS: 

Angel is a values-based distribution company for stories that amplify light to mainstream audiences. Through the Angel Guild, over 1,300,000 paying members from more than 170 different countries help decide what film and television projects the studio will market and distribute, and support the filmmakers who create films and series that amplify light. Learn more at Angel.com

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed business combination transaction between Southport Acquisition Corporation (“Southport”) and Angel Studios, Southport filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (as it may be amended, the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 12, 2024, which includes a preliminary prospectus and joint proxy statement of Southport and Angel Studios, referred to as a joint proxy statement/prospectus. The Registration Statement has not yet become effective. When available, a final joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Southport and Angel Studios stockholders. Southport and Angel Studios will also file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the joint proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Southport and Angel Studios (when available) through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. The documents filed by Southport with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge upon written request to 8 Bolling Place, Greenwich, CT 06830. The documents filed by Angel Studios with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge on Angel Studios’ website at https://www.angel.com/legal/sec-filings or upon written request to 295 W Center Street, Provo, UT 84601. 

Participants in Solicitation

Southport, Angel Studios and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Southport, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in Southport’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024, under the headings “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance,” “Executive Compensation,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.” To the extent holdings of Southport common stock by the directors and executive officers of Southport have changed from the amounts of Southport common stock held by such persons as reflected therein, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Angel Studios, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in Angel Studios’ amended Form 10, which was filed with the SEC on May 13, 2024, under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” “Directors and Executive Officers,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.” To the extent holdings of Angel Studios common stock by the directors and executive officers of Angel Studios have changed from the amounts of Angel Studios common stock held by such persons as reflected therein, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction when such materials become available. Investors should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of any of the documents referenced herein from Southport or Angel Studios using the sources indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transaction. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transaction between Angel Studios and Southport. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of the combined company’s securities, (ii) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed by Southport’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the stockholders of Southport and Angel Studios, (iv) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed transaction, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on Angel Studios’ business relationships, operating results, and business generally, (vii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of Angel Studios or diverts management’s attention from Angel Studios’ ongoing business operations and potential difficulties in Angel Studios employee retention as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed transaction, (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Angel Studios or against Southport related to the Merger Agreement or the proposed transaction, (ix) the ability to list the combined company’s securities on a national securities exchange in connection with the transaction, (x) the price of Southport’s securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Southport plans to operate or Angel Studios operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Southport’s or Angel Studios’ business, and changes in the combined capital structure, (xi) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities, (xii) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees, (xiii) the evolution of the markets in which Angel Studios competes, (xiv) the costs related to the proposed transaction, (xv) Angel Studios’ expectations regarding its market opportunities, (xvi) risks related to domestic and international political and macroeconomic uncertainty, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the war in the Middle East, and (xvii) the risk of downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive industry in which Angel Studios operates. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Southport’s and Angel Studios’ annual reports on Form 10-K and Form 10, respectively, and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, the Registration Statement on Form S-4, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other documents filed by Southport and Angel Studios from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Angel Studios and Southport assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither Angel Studios nor Southport gives any assurance that either Angel Studios or Southport, or the combined company, will achieve its expectations.