ESPN "30 FOR 30" Series

[dfwabel]

The short film on Pete Rose's current life, hawking merchandise in Las Vegas, is now up. (Link)

It's eight minutes of sadness/pity.

[pmoehrin]

The short film on Pete Rose's current life, hawking merchandise in Las Vegas, is now up. (Link)

It's eight minutes of sadness/pity.

I saw him in Vegas at that thing as well. I actually spent the whole day trying to hunt down one of those old-school Expos pinwheel caps for him to sign but couldn't find one, so I just went with a Reds hat.

The experience I took away from that is that I think the vast majority of people who are hardcore supporters of him to get into the Hall of Fame I don't think have ever met the guy. Pete Rose is in this situation because of Pete Rose and nobody else and if you don't believe me just spend 10 minutes around the guy. I don't think you can do that and not walk away thinking this guy is just an asshat and I knew that he was like that going in, but its another thing when its right in your face. He had a little monitor with him watching some tennis match that was happening in Argentina because he had money on it. I know some people with gambling both with cards and betting on sports, but I've never seen something like before or since.

My own opinion I really could care less about whether or not he gets into the Hall of Fame at this point. Whether or not he gets in is not changing my view about him one bit, which is a great ballplayer that is a pathetic excuse for a human being off the field and if he wasn't a ballplayer he would probably either be homeless, in jail or dead by now.

[FiddySicks]

The short film on Pete Rose's current life, hawking merchandise in Las Vegas, is now up. (Link)

It's eight minutes of sadness/pity.

I saw him in Vegas at that thing as well. I actually spent the whole day trying to hunt down one of those old-school Expos pinwheel caps for him to sign but couldn't find one, so I just went with a Reds hat.

The experience I took away from that is that I think the vast majority of people who are hardcore supporters of him to get into the Hall of Fame I don't think have ever met the guy. Pete Rose is in this situation because of Pete Rose and nobody else and if you don't believe me just spend 10 minutes around the guy. I don't think you can do that and not walk away thinking this guy is just an asshat and I knew that he was like that going in, but its another thing when its right in your face. He had a little monitor with him watching some tennis match that was happening in Argentina because he had money on it. I know some people with gambling both with cards and betting on sports, but I've never seen something like before or since.

My own opinion I really could care less about whether or not he gets into the Hall of Fame at this point. Whether or not he gets in is not changing my view about him one bit, which is a great ballplayer that is a pathetic excuse for a human being off the field and if he wasn't a ballplayer he would probably either be homeless, in jail or dead by now.

Honestly, there were quite a few guys on those Reds teams who were pretty big jackasses. I've heard from several people that Joe Morgan is pretty awful, and Johnny Bench has to be the biggest douche I've ever met.

[WSU151]

The short film on Pete Rose's current life, hawking merchandise in Las Vegas, is now up. (Link)

It's eight minutes of sadness/pity.

I saw him in Vegas at that thing as well. I actually spent the whole day trying to hunt down one of those old-school Expos pinwheel caps for him to sign but couldn't find one, so I just went with a Reds hat.

The experience I took away from that is that I think the vast majority of people who are hardcore supporters of him to get into the Hall of Fame I don't think have ever met the guy. Pete Rose is in this situation because of Pete Rose and nobody else and if you don't believe me just spend 10 minutes around the guy. I don't think you can do that and not walk away thinking this guy is just an asshat and I knew that he was like that going in, but its another thing when its right in your face. He had a little monitor with him watching some tennis match that was happening in Argentina because he had money on it. I know some people with gambling both with cards and betting on sports, but I've never seen something like before or since.

My own opinion I really could care less about whether or not he gets into the Hall of Fame at this point. Whether or not he gets in is not changing my view about him one bit, which is a great ballplayer that is a pathetic excuse for a human being off the field and if he wasn't a ballplayer he would probably either be homeless, in jail or dead by now.

Honestly, there were quite a few guys on those Reds teams who were pretty big jackasses. I've heard from several people that Joe Morgan is pretty awful, and Johnny Bench has to be the biggest douche I've ever met.

Joe Morgan came across as a dbag 2000 miles away on a television set. Can't imagine trying to have an actual conversation with him two feet away. I've heard Bench is okay (better than Rose or Morgan). He always seemed to be more fan-friendly, but that might have been act.

[dfwabel]

The second series will start on October 2.

Credit: The Hollywood Reporter

"Broke"

Director: Billy Corben

Air Date: Oct. 2, 8 p.m.

The documentary explores the road to fortune in sports and the eventual detours to bankruptcy, as experienced by top athletes including Bernie Kosar, Andrew Rison and Cliff Floyd, all of whom participated in the doc. ?They were very frank about the mistakes that they made,? said Corben said of Broke, which serves as an allegory for the financial woes haunting economies and individuals all over the world. "Every week there?s a new story aout an athelete going broke," Corben added. "I was shocked at how easy it is to go broke."

"9.78" Director: Daniel Gordon

Air Date: Oct. 9, 8 p.m. (to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival)

The 100-meter men's final at the 1988 Seoul Games was the fastest sprint in Olympic history. But within 48 hours, gold medalist Ben Johnson had tested positive for anabolic steroids and scandal trumped thrilling as the way to describe the race. More than two decades later, that race still haunts the eight men who took part and the doc will take a look at what brought the men to the starting line and what happened to them since.

"There's No Place Like Home"

Director: Maura Mandt andJosh Swade

Air Date: Oct. 16, 8 p.m.

On December 10, 2010, Sotheby?s auctioned off the most important historical document in sports history: James Naismith's original rules of basketball. There?s No Place Like Home is the story of one fan?s obsessive quest to win the artifact at auction and bring the rules "home" to Lawrence, Kansas, where Naismith coached and taught for more than 40 years.

"Benji"

Director: Coodie andChike

Air Date: Oct. 23, 8 p.m. (premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival)

In 1984, 17-year-old Ben Wilson was a symbol of everything promising about Chicago: a beloved, sweet-natured youngster from the city's fabled South Side, and America's most talented basketball prospect. His senseless murder the day before his senior season sent ripples through Chicago and the nation.

"Ghosts of Ole Miss"

Director: Fritz Mitchell

Air Date: Oct. 30, 8 p.m.

In 1962, the University of Mississippi campus erupted in violence over integration and swelled with pride over an unbeaten football team. Mississippi native Wright Thompson explores the tumultuous events that continue to shape the state 50 years later.

"You Don?t Know Bo"

Director: Michael Bonfiglio

Air Date: Dec. 8, 8 p.m.

Bo Jackson hit 500 ft. home runs, ran over linebackers, and?for a short period?he was the best athlete we had ever seen. You Don?t Know Bo takes a closer look at the man and marketing campaign that shaped his legacy. More than 20 years later, myths and legends still surround the famously press shy athlere, and his impossible feats still capture our collective imagination. "We probably have the most candid material that he?s ever done," said Bonfiglio, adding that he " found him to be a great storyteller and ... as magnanimous as I could have asked him to be."

[DarkJourney]

"Ghosts of Ole Miss"

In 1962, the University of Mississippi campus erupted in violence over integration and swelled with pride over an unbeaten football team. Mississippi native Wright Thompson explores the tumultuous events that continue to shape the state 50 years later.

Looking forward to this one

[dfwabel]

OK, just saw "Broke" and with the recent news of Vince Young spending all his earnings, it was relevant it came out. I really do not think I learned anything new outside of the long list at the film's end on who all has filed bankruptcy. The lack of those finishing or starting their education (if baseball) was a note which was not covered. I also wonder if the NHL guys were weary to be associated with such a film. Corbin was on the BS Report and said that it was the most difficult project for him to get people to speak.

Overall, I do have sympathy for the majority of them. I do not want to repeatably see a "crash and burn" story, if it is sports or entertainment.

NOTE: While I did start the thread, I do not know how to change the title to reflect the real name of the series.

[NJTank]

Vince Young what a flame out he has had. From Heiman runner up to National Championship hero to the Texans GM getting fired for not drafting him and winning the Rookie of the Year he has gone from top star to nowhere land fast. Looking at the NFL landscape nobody wants him and he will likely never be on a team again. Maybe he should learn the lyrics to O Canada perhaps a few years in the CFL can salvage his career.

[Sport]

My take-away from "Broke" (wow that sentence sounds like I'm a college freshman reviewing an econ 103 documentary they forced me to watch) is that it's really easy to spend all of your money when you're:

- financially uneducated AND immature.

- come from a background where money is scarce and the sudden influx is difficult to handle.

- stupid to begin with. ie. Leon Searcy spending 50k of his last 60k on a Hummer H2.

- surrounded by the wrong people, often family members. It's hard to say no to your parents.

- investing in business ventures that go belly up because of measures outside your control.

- hiring people who seem reputable, but end up losing the money for you.

We all think we'd be responsible in their situation, but until you're in the same shoes you really have no idea how you'd handle it.

[pmoehrin]

My take-away from "Broke" (wow that sentence sounds like I'm a college freshman reviewing an econ 103 documentary they forced me to watch) is that it's really easy to spend all of your money when you're:

- financially uneducated AND immature.

- come from a background where money is scarce and the sudden influx is difficult to handle.

- stupid to begin with. ie. Leon Searcy spending 50k of his last 60k on a Hummer H2.

- surrounded by the wrong people, often family members. It's hard to say no to your parents.

- investing in business ventures that go belly up because of measures outside your control.

- hiring people who seem reputable, but end up losing the money for you.

We all think we'd be responsible in their situation, but until you're in the same shoes you really have no idea how you'd handle it.

That's about right. The two big factors to me are the education and the people surrounding the athlete(s). You have guys coming out of college into the NFL or NBA who probably don't have much more then a 10th grade education. Most unfortunately just do the bare minimum of what is required to pass. I don't how much you can get on somebody for not knowing how to save/spend money when they have no real concept of finance. I can spend however much money I have. That's the financial theory alot of athletes have. And there's nothing wrong with that theory provided you can keep a steady flow of income coming in for as long as you live. If you can't do that, then you may start running into some problems.

In terms of the people surrounding them if you have enough bad people surrounding you, your going to wind up in a bad spot in life sooner or later yourself. There's no avoiding it. Everybody listens to other people for advice and when your not getting the right advice from the people you trust the most, I don't know what chance you really have to succeed. When your wife is basically looking at you as some long term investment opportunity and is just waiting for the right moment to cash out, what chance do you really have at that point?

[RedSox44]

This is by far the best thing ESPN has done in my short lifetime. 9.78* really intrigues me. Ghosts of Ole Miss and Benji too.

I am so glad ESPN is still making these.

[JayMac]

Anyone watch "Benji"? It was a 'what could have been' documentary about the murder of a high school basketball star. It was so sad.

[Raysfan12]

I watched "Broke" at my school and it's really shocking at the list of athletes that declared bankruptcy. It just shows that many athletes lack financial education and spend on just about anything. It's a really good documentary.

[dfwabel]

Anyone watch "Benji"? It was a 'what could have been' documentary about the murder of a high school basketball star. It was so sad.

It was OK. There was still the thought that had he lived and made it to the NBA, his friends would have been hired as part of his posse. They were still bitter about that.

Secondly, since his girlfriend declined to speak (same for his son), it really threw her under the bus for having arguing with him in the first place. We do not know her side of their relationship. Plus, R Kelly was unnecessary.

I watched "Broke" at my school and it's really shocking at the list of athletes that declared bankruptcy. It just shows that many athletes lack financial education and spend on just about anything. It's a really good documentary.

It was not all about spending habits, it was also about poor investments from people who leagues "certified". Guess what, not many people ages 18-23 have that mentality in thinking about their financial future, whether you make $50,000 out of college or $1.5M. Plus very few of those around them worry about it. Reality is out the window when you go from a $200/week job or a $4,000 stipend (with no credit or never possessing a bank account of any sort) to getting a signing bonus worth more than whatever your family has ever earned. Still a pretty commonplace story, this time shot in typical Billy Corben's style of quick cuts and lots of music.

Note that Corben said the NFL was the only league to "cooperate" with them. The NBA, NHL, and MLB refused to cooperate.

[DnBronc]

Anyone watch "Benji"? It was a 'what could have been' documentary about the murder of a high school basketball star. It was so sad.

Just finished watching it. Never really heard both sides of the story until now. Senseless tragedy.

[dfwabel]

Bumping to show the next in the series starting in October 2013.

October 1. Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau. This film will examine the tragic life of Hawaiian surfer Eddie Aikau, and is directed by Sam George.

October 8. Free Spirits. This one is going to look at the Spirits of St Louis leading into the NBA/ABA merger, and how the team is still existing and making money for their owners today. It's directed by Daniel H. Forer.

October 15. No Mas. The name should tell you all you need to know about this documentary: a look behind the scenes of the two fights between Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard. The director is Eric Drath.

October 22. Big Shot. Hey, another hockey documentary! Big Shot will break down the scandal involving John Spano's attempted purchase of the Islanders in 1996, and is directed by Kevin Connolly.

October 29. This is What They Want. Jimmy Connors' miraculous run in the 1991 US Open is examined, and is directed by Brian Koppleman and David Levien.

November 5. Tonya and Nancy. This is another one where the title makes it obvious what the subject matter will be: the incident between figure skaters Nancy Kerrigan* and Tonya Harding in 1994. The director is Nanette Burstein.

*-Kerrigan is not interviewed by ESPN and the director for this documentary, rather she is speaking to NBC who will run her story during the Sochi Games and may hire her as an analyst too.

[Gothamite]

Hmm.

... directed by Sam George.

... Daniel H. Forer.

... Eric Drath.

... Kevin Connolly.

... Brian Koppleman and David Levien.

And finally-

Nanette Burstein.

So that's how you break up the sausage fest: a story about chicks. Not particularly good, ESPN.

[NJTank]

The one abit Spano and the Spirits of St. Louis sounds good.

Great nickname btw Spirits of St. Louis, too bad they never made it to the NBA.

[HedleyLamarr]

Hmm.

... directed by Sam George.

... Daniel H. Forer.

... Eric Drath.

... Kevin Connolly.

... Brian Koppleman and David Levien.

And finally-

Nanette Burstein.

So that's how you break up the sausage fest: a story about chicks. Not particularly good, ESPN.

Don't think it's completely fair to blame ESPN on that....I'd think the ratio of men to women directing sports-related films/documentaries is probably more lopsided than this 5:1 listing.....

[rams80]

The one abit Spano and the Spirits of St. Louis sounds good.

Great nickname btw Spirits of St. Louis, too bad they never made it to the NBA.

Ehh...market wasn't viable. If the ABA had lasted another season the team was going to be in Utah.