8 more topics that deserve a ‘Last Dance’-style 30 for 30 multi-episode look from ESPN
With the success of ESPN’s tremendous docuseries, “The Last Dance” I’ve become increasingly interested in other sports subjects that either have not been covered or deserve their own deep 30 for 30 dive. Some of the stories we know or have been around for, but much like the series on the Chicago Bulls, they’d be great opportunities to produce some fantastic storytelling.
Legion of Boom: (Seattle Seahawks 2010-2018)
Working Title: “Legion of Boom”
Premise: The Seattle Seahawks were a franchise poised to take over the NFC and potentially become the next dynasty in the NFL, then it didn’t happen. One of the league’s greatest “what-if” stories comes alive in a five-part documentary on the Seattle Seahawks rise and fall of the NFL’s elite.
I would love to hear Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas III, Pete Carroll, and others as you hear the different sides to many stories. Some will probably more different than others.
2001 Seattle Mariners
Working Title: “116”
Premise: Imagine you lose both Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. in a matter of a year and change, then you win a league record-116 games. Absolutely insane. One team I don’t think gets talked about as much as they should is this Mariners ballclub. I believe a solid two-part documentary on this team would help tell a story of just how precious success can be in an age as the Mariners have not reached a postseason since the magical year of 2001.
The Miami Heat (2010-2018)
Working Title: “The Heatles”
Premise: A friendship between three players starts in the early part of the 2000s and blossoms into a brotherhood following the 2008 Olympics. From there, the lives of Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James transform as “The Decision” sees the league’s best player in James become the villain. The Miami Heat’s brief four year run as “The Heatles” helped usher in a new era of sport coverage and its convergence with social media.
Although LeBron left in the Summer 2014. The journey of Wade’s exit and return to Miami as well as the sad end to the career of Chris Bosh make for compelling storytelling. Give me a solid four to six episodes on this and I will for sure be watching.
The Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s (1979-1990)
Working Title: “Oil Dynasty”
Premise: Hockey dynasties in the NHL had been limited to just a select few cities over the lifespan of the NHL from the 40s to the early 80s. Starting in 1979, the WHA’s demise helped bring in the young franchise led by a kid named Wayne Gretzky. With tremendous success in the front office with coach and general manager Glen Sather and owner Peter Plockington, the Oilers went from contender to owners of the Stanley Cup by 1984.
Maintaining that success throughout the 1980s had both good and bad instances. ESPN has already showcased the Gretzky to LA saga in its own 30 for 30. However, the story was not done for the Oilers, in 1990 they raised their final Cup and showed that life after “The Great One” was pretty sweet.
Cam Newton’s college career (2007-2011)
Working Title: “Cam”
Premise: Hey, remember that time Cam Newton showed up to Auburn for like 15 seconds and gave them their first national title in generations? What if I were to tell you that the journey to that BCS Championship started in Gainesville as a member of the Florida Gators? Then after a moment of dumb youth or stupidity, he went to Junior College and won a national title at Blinn College.
Oh, and the story of Cam Newton’s recruitment that led him back to Auburn? Yeah, that could be a good hour or two, depending on who actually talks. About four episodes on this Heisman winner turned pro QB is a pretty good way to be entertained.
College Football Realignment in Summer 2010
Working Title: “100-Year Decisions”
Premise: In Summer of 2010, college football began a two-year shift in how the business of college sports shattered traditions and severed ties with moves by schools looking to hop on the money train. Multiple episodes on what happened, what almost happened and could it happen again could make a compelling study on just how much money can turn moves that impact generations.
The Boston Celtics (2007-2012)
Working Title: “Boston’s Big Three”
Premise: After a decade and change of not living up to the standards of the illustrious Boston Celtics franchise, a former Celtic along with a coach who had success but never won it all went all in. After adding Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics helped break the NBA’s Eastern Conference out of its slogged and somewhat boring pace. Tough defense paired with dynamic offense helped bring the Celtics their first title since 1986.
That title was supposed to be the beginning of the next great Celtics dynasty, but it never came. Falling short in 2009, losing in the Finals in 2010, and then losing to Miami Heat in back to back seasons saw the crumbling of this era quicker than I think anybody could have anticipated. What started out as a Boston revival ended in a Jersey tragedy. There’s about five episodes you’ve got, just gotta censor KG cause that man loves to cuss.
Colin Kaepernick
Working Title: “Kaepernick”
Premise: I would make an argument that Colin Kaepernick is the most polarizing athlete in the last 10 years and the man hasn’t played a game since fall of 2016. When Colin Kaepernick took a knee to bring the murder of unarmed African-Americans to light, he put his career on the line and was essentially blackballed by the NFL.
While we’ve heard from so many people, I think the most compelling story would be told from the view of Colin Kapernick. You could easily look at the rise of his career and celebrity to the moment he decided to use his platform for activism. I think you could easily put together six episodes on a deep dive from his point of view, finally letting his story be told.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
