In a groundbreaking collaboration, basketball icon LeBron James is teaming up with former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning to produce an exciting sports docuseries.
The project, which focuses on professional basketball players, is currently under discussion and involves James’ SpringHill Company, Obama’s Higher Ground production company, and Manning’s Omaha Productions.
According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, the aim of this venture is to bring the same compelling storytelling approach to the NBA that Manning’s “Quarterback” series achieved for the NFL.
This docuseries promises to showcase an in-depth exploration of the world of basketball, and the NBA is expected to play a pivotal role, mirroring the successful partnership between NFL Films and “Quarterback.” The project’s potential reach is substantial, thanks to Higher Ground’s first-look deal with Netflix, which has previously produced hit sports docuseries, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Although the specific players to be featured in the series remain undisclosed, it’s a common practice in sports docuseries to include a mix of superstar athletes and lesser-known players to provide a well-rounded view of the sport.
LeBron James’ SpringHill Company, which secured $725 million in investments from RedBird, Nike, and Epic Games in 2021, as well as first-look agreements with Disney and Universal for scripted TV and films, continues to make a significant impact on the entertainment industry.
Higher Ground, known for its impactful documentaries, has previously partnered with Netflix for film and TV content and collaborated with Audible for podcasts. Their acquisition of “American Symphony” has also raised the possibility of an Oscar-worthy production.
The resurgence of sports docuseries owes much to platforms like Netflix, which have consistently produced high-quality, in-depth explorations of various sports and athletes, as seen in popular series like “Drive to Survive,” “Full Swing,” “Quarterback,” and “Beckham.”
SOURCE: essence.com