Between “Beckham,” “Quarterback” and the nationally captivating “The Last Dance,” we are clearly living in our peak sports docuseries era. And now four-time, NBA champion LeBron James and hall of famers Peyton Manning have combined with the Obamas’ production company to contribute their own sports series centered around the NBA, Variety has confirmed.
James’ SpringHill Company (which he started with business partner Maverick Carter) will join Manning’s production company Omaha Productions and the Obamas’ Higher Ground. The series will divide up each episode following various NBA athletes as they live their lives, similar to the Netflix docuseries “Quarterback,” which followed three NFL quarterbacks during the 2022-2023 football season.
Higher Ground’s “American Factory” won the Academy Award for best documentary in 2019 and past films “Crip Camp” and “Becoming” were both nominated. The production company currently has a first look deal with Netflix, so assumptions are being made that this yet-to-be-filmed series could wind up at the streamer.
Manning, a former quarterback and two-time Super Bowl winner, started Omaha Productions in 2020. In addition to “Quarterback,” the media company is behind the Emmy-winning program “Monday Night Football With Peyton and Eli,” in which the Manning brothers provide commentary during ESPN games, and “Peyton’s Places.”
James co-founded SpringHill Company with Maverick Carter in 2008. The production company’s credits include credits include 2021’s “Space Jam: A New Legacy”; Netflix’s “Hustle,” starring Adam Sandler; and the talk show “The Shop” on YouTube.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, says the NBA docuseries will likely end on Netflix, with the NBA also involved in discussions.