Religion of Sports and Showtime Sports are teaming up on “Goliath,” a new three-part docuseries examining the life, career and impact of basketball icon Wilt Chamberlain from his emergence on the national scene as a high schooler in the 1950s through his death in 1999.
“We are honored to team up with this group of talented filmmakers to bring the under-examined story of Wilt Chamberlain’s complex life to the masses,” Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza said in a statement. “Everybody knows Wilt for his legendary accomplishments on the basketball court — scoring 100 points in a game, averaging 50 points and 25 rebounds in a season — but there’s so much more to him than his stats. He was far ahead of his time in so many ways that will last infinitely longer than the numbers on a scoreboard.”
Also Read:
NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua to Exit for Notre Dame
The series, which...
“We are honored to team up with this group of talented filmmakers to bring the under-examined story of Wilt Chamberlain’s complex life to the masses,” Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza said in a statement. “Everybody knows Wilt for his legendary accomplishments on the basketball court — scoring 100 points in a game, averaging 50 points and 25 rebounds in a season — but there’s so much more to him than his stats. He was far ahead of his time in so many ways that will last infinitely longer than the numbers on a scoreboard.”
Also Read:
NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua to Exit for Notre Dame
The series, which...
- 6/8/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal wants the world to know about an overlooked star of the game, Lusia “Lucy” Harris, the woman Shaq calls “the greatest of all time.”
“She’s a power center. I’m a power center. She was dominant,” O’Neal tells Deadline about Harris. “For a long time she was denied the limelight, denied the sponsorships and denied the recognition she deserved.”
The Oscar-contending short documentary The Queen of Basketball, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ben Proudfoot, rescues Harris from an unjust obscurity. She won three straight national titles at tiny Delta State University in the 1970s, earned a silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games, and in 1977 became the first woman officially drafted by an NBA team—the New Orleans Jazz. But she made her mark in an era when women’s basketball, and women’s sports in general, didn’t draw much attention.
Shaq says he...
“She’s a power center. I’m a power center. She was dominant,” O’Neal tells Deadline about Harris. “For a long time she was denied the limelight, denied the sponsorships and denied the recognition she deserved.”
The Oscar-contending short documentary The Queen of Basketball, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ben Proudfoot, rescues Harris from an unjust obscurity. She won three straight national titles at tiny Delta State University in the 1970s, earned a silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games, and in 1977 became the first woman officially drafted by an NBA team—the New Orleans Jazz. But she made her mark in an era when women’s basketball, and women’s sports in general, didn’t draw much attention.
Shaq says he...
- 12/13/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: NBA great Shaquille O’Neal is joining a new team—the one behind the award-winning documentary The Queen of Basketball.
The Hall of Fame center and four-time NBA champ has signed on as an executive producer of the New York Times Op-doc short, which tells the story of Lusia “Lucy” Harris, one of the greatest women basketball players in U.S. history. Harris’ name is little known even to many with deep knowledge of the game, despite her incredible accomplishments—winning three national titles in college and a silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal (she was the first woman to score a basket in Olympic history).
Harris also became the first woman ever officially drafted by an NBA team, when the New Orleans Jazz (now the Utah Jazz) selected her in 1977 in the 7th round. She was inducted into both the pro basketball Hall of Fame and the...
The Hall of Fame center and four-time NBA champ has signed on as an executive producer of the New York Times Op-doc short, which tells the story of Lusia “Lucy” Harris, one of the greatest women basketball players in U.S. history. Harris’ name is little known even to many with deep knowledge of the game, despite her incredible accomplishments—winning three national titles in college and a silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal (she was the first woman to score a basket in Olympic history).
Harris also became the first woman ever officially drafted by an NBA team, when the New Orleans Jazz (now the Utah Jazz) selected her in 1977 in the 7th round. She was inducted into both the pro basketball Hall of Fame and the...
- 11/17/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The world’s No. 2 women’s tennis player made her first public appearance Saturday night after withdrawing from the French Open and Wimbledon. A pensive Naomi Osaka took the stage at the ESPYs to accept the award for for ‘Best Athlete, Women’s Sports.’
Osaka, who has revealed she suffers from social anxiety and depression, especially in public, gave a speech that lasted less than a minute. Her voice slightly quavering, the four-time major winner led with honesty.
“I just really not want to say a long speech because I’m a bit nervous,” she said as shouts of support rang out from the audience.
After thanking ESPN and her fans Osaka continued, “I know this year’s been really — it hasn’t even finished — but it’s been really tough for a lot of us and, for me, I just want to say I really love you guys.”
She...
Osaka, who has revealed she suffers from social anxiety and depression, especially in public, gave a speech that lasted less than a minute. Her voice slightly quavering, the four-time major winner led with honesty.
“I just really not want to say a long speech because I’m a bit nervous,” she said as shouts of support rang out from the audience.
After thanking ESPN and her fans Osaka continued, “I know this year’s been really — it hasn’t even finished — but it’s been really tough for a lot of us and, for me, I just want to say I really love you guys.”
She...
- 7/11/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles, March 23 (Ians) Elgin Baylor, the Los Angeles Lakers' first superstar and among the first in then emerging National Basketball Association (NBA), and a fixture on the L.A. basketball scene for the better part of half a century, has died of natural causes.
Baylor, who coached briefly after his Hall of Fame 14-season playing career ended, then had a 22-year run as an executive with L.A.'s other NBA team, the Clippers, died Monday morning, the Lakers announced on Twitter. He was 86, Dpa news reports
"Elgin was The superstar of his era -- his many accolades speak to that," Lakers president Jeanie Buss tweeted.
An undersized power forward at 6-foot-5, Baylor dazzled with a variety of athletic moves that often left defenders flat-footed as he sailed by for one of his signature running bank shots or pulled up for a hanging jump shot.
Richie Guerin of the New York Knicks once griped,...
Baylor, who coached briefly after his Hall of Fame 14-season playing career ended, then had a 22-year run as an executive with L.A.'s other NBA team, the Clippers, died Monday morning, the Lakers announced on Twitter. He was 86, Dpa news reports
"Elgin was The superstar of his era -- his many accolades speak to that," Lakers president Jeanie Buss tweeted.
An undersized power forward at 6-foot-5, Baylor dazzled with a variety of athletic moves that often left defenders flat-footed as he sailed by for one of his signature running bank shots or pulled up for a hanging jump shot.
Richie Guerin of the New York Knicks once griped,...
- 3/23/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
The title for Showtime documentary series “Shut Up and Dribble” was inspired by LeBron James’ feud with Fox News host Laura Ingraham last February, but the project had been in the works long before that.
“I don’t believe in coincidences … that it took two years to make and got released now after the world has become increasingly politicized is very synchronistic,” director Gotham Chopra told TheWrap. “When we first started, it was going to be equal parts social impact and cultural impact — and there was going to be more basketball in it — but this just felt like a natural evolution of the project and the conversation.”
James clearly didn’t heed Ingraham’s advice to “keep the political comments” to himself and instead used her words against her on the three-part series that he executive produced along with Maverick Carter and Chopra. Former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill, who has...
“I don’t believe in coincidences … that it took two years to make and got released now after the world has become increasingly politicized is very synchronistic,” director Gotham Chopra told TheWrap. “When we first started, it was going to be equal parts social impact and cultural impact — and there was going to be more basketball in it — but this just felt like a natural evolution of the project and the conversation.”
James clearly didn’t heed Ingraham’s advice to “keep the political comments” to himself and instead used her words against her on the three-part series that he executive produced along with Maverick Carter and Chopra. Former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill, who has...
- 11/22/2018
- by Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
NBA legend Bill Russell became Twitter’s favorite grandpa Monday night after the 12-time all star flipped the bird to Charles Barkley live on television during TNT’s broadcast of the NBA Awards.
The moment came when Barkley, presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Oscar Robertson, took a second to thank several other NBA legends, including Russell. At that point the camera turned to the (very sharply dressed) retired Celtics center, who, well, watch below:
Bill Russell giving the middle finger to Charles Barkley ???? pic.twitter.com/HyO3MbDC3C
— NBA@SneakerReporter (@NBA_SR) June 26, 2018
Also Read: 'Uncle Drew' Film Review: Basketball Comedy Dribbles Away the Laughs
So why, pray tell, did the 11-time NBA champion flip off Sir Charles? Russell explained on Twitter, in a very sorry-not-sorry statement, that he just can’t help himself whenever he sees Barkley.
Sorry everyone, I forgot it was live TV...
The moment came when Barkley, presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Oscar Robertson, took a second to thank several other NBA legends, including Russell. At that point the camera turned to the (very sharply dressed) retired Celtics center, who, well, watch below:
Bill Russell giving the middle finger to Charles Barkley ???? pic.twitter.com/HyO3MbDC3C
— NBA@SneakerReporter (@NBA_SR) June 26, 2018
Also Read: 'Uncle Drew' Film Review: Basketball Comedy Dribbles Away the Laughs
So why, pray tell, did the 11-time NBA champion flip off Sir Charles? Russell explained on Twitter, in a very sorry-not-sorry statement, that he just can’t help himself whenever he sees Barkley.
Sorry everyone, I forgot it was live TV...
- 6/26/2018
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Constant Beta, Creative Control and Abramorama have teamed for a wide release in North American for The First to Do It, a documentary feature about Earl Lloyd, the NBA’s first black player. With exec producers including a number of basketball stars, the film will hit theaters in February. The First to Do It brings together current NBA players including Carmelo Anthony, Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul as well as Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Dave Bing and Bob Lanier to…...
- 10/5/2017
- Deadline
Constant Beta Motion Picture Company, Creative Control and Abramorama will collaborate on the theatrical distribution of “The First to Do It,” a documentary about the life and times of Earl Lloyd, the first Black American to play in the NBA. The film brings together current basketball players including Carmelo Anthony, Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul, as well as Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Dave Bing and Bob Lanier. Dean Cole provides the voice of Lloyd. Abramorama is planning a wide theatrical release in February 2018. “The First to Do It” is produced by Arka Sengupta and executive produced by Michael Finley,...
- 10/5/2017
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
[[tmz:video id="0_ruy1ef11"]] Time to clear out some space in Springfield ... because just 8 years into his career, Russell Westbrook is already a Lock for the Basketball Hall of Fame ... so says NBA legend Oscar Robertson. Fyi, Westbrook is averaging a triple-double this season -- which is incredibly impressive considering the only other player to carry that average further into the season is Robertson! So, we reached out to Oscar to get his thoughts on Russ ... and needless to say,...
- 11/29/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
In today's things you didn't know about boy-banders: Nick Lachey is a total pothead! Okay, maybe not. But the 98 Degrees singer does have Pablo Escobar–size aspirations of becoming a drug kingpin. As the Washington Post notes, he currently co-owns a 29-acre weed farm in Akron, Ohio — one of ten such farms in the state producing weed. As it happens, Ohioans are expected to vote on marijuana legalization this Tuesday in a controversial ballot that Lachey stands to profit from hugely if the state votes yes to getting high legally. Monday night, Lachey tweeted to ask voters to "head to the poll" and "end marijuana prohibition." That's because he, along with the other farms' owners — descendants of President Taft, designer Nanette Lepore, NBA great Oscar Robertson, the Arizona Cardinals' Frostee Rucker, and more — put up as much as $4 million just to get the ballot off the...
- 11/4/2015
- by Dee Lockett
- Vulture
Liev Schreiber narrates the HBO original documentary Kareem: Minority of One, premiering Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 10pm Et/Pt, about basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer who played with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969-89. This HBO exclusive film marks the first time Abdul-Jabbar has participated in a documentary about his life story. Interviews include Pat Riley, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Jerry West, Bill Walton, Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson and Billy Crystal. “Kareem waited more than 20 years to tell his story and we’re delighted to present it on the HBO platform,” says producer Deborah Morales, … Continue reading →
The post HBO’s “Kareem: Minority of One” an ode to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post HBO’s “Kareem: Minority of One” an ode to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 11/3/2015
- by Ryan Berenz
- ChannelGuideMag
Big week for Arizona Cardinals lineman Frostee Rucker -- who is set to own 1 of only Ten legalized pot farms in Ohio ... If voters move to legalize weed during a statewide election tomorrow!!! Rucker teamed up with NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson to co-own one of the ten approved farms that would grow all of the state's legal pot. Nick Lachey owns another one of the farms. If the vote passes, Rucker stands to...
- 11/2/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Nick Lachey: husband, father, singer, TV host...and potential marijuana kingpin. Yep, you read that right. The former 98 Degrees boy band member could become one of the largest pot growers in Ohio, if the state votes to legalize marijuana on Tuesday. How so, you ask? Well, according to the Washington Post, the measure indicates that if the Buckeye State becomes green-friendly, it would restrict virtually all large-scale marijuana cultivation to 10 specifically designated farms. And whaddya know? Nick Lachey part owner of one of those farms, along with designer Nanette Lepore, NBA legend Oscar Robertson, NFL journeyman Frostee Rucker. Each group reportedly contributed $4 million to the legalization campaign...
- 10/31/2015
- E! Online
Who.d earn a spot on Hollywood.s Mt. Rushmore? Sports fans have wasted hours this past week debating over which basketball players belong on a fictional Mt. Rushmore for former players. NBA superstar LeBron James prompted the discussion during the recent All-Star festivities when, during an interview, he claimed he.d want to be considered one of the greatest to ever play the game, and would like to see himself on the Mt. Rushmore for basketball. James proceeded to list the players he.d place on his own personal Mt. Rushmore: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson. Sports-talk shows took the concept . not a decidedly new idea, but still one with significant legs . and ran with it. Football and baseball experts started debating their owns sports, as well. Legacy conversations often fuel sports debates, and allowing oneself only four slots for the quote-unquote Greatest in any...
- 2/20/2014
- cinemablend.com
Chicago – Veteran actor Bruce Dern is now up to bat. That is how he describes what is at stake in his role as Woody in director Alexander Payne’s new film, “Nebraska.” But this film icon – with an over 50 year career – also has plenty other stories to offer, regarding Jack Nicholson, his family, his life and performing a “Derns-ser.”
Bruce Dern began his on-screen career in TV beginning in 1960, taking various character parts during that era, with regular cowboy roles in “Wagon Train,” “The Virginian” and “The Big Valley.” He made his film debut in the horror classic “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” (1964), and created memorable characters in such diverse films as “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They” (1969), “Drive, He Said” (1971), “The Great Gatsby” (1974), “Smile” (1975) and “Family Plot” (1976). Recent films include roles in “Monster” (2003), “The Astronaut Farmer” (2006) and as Frank Harlow in the HBO series “Big Love” (2006-11). He was nominated...
Bruce Dern began his on-screen career in TV beginning in 1960, taking various character parts during that era, with regular cowboy roles in “Wagon Train,” “The Virginian” and “The Big Valley.” He made his film debut in the horror classic “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” (1964), and created memorable characters in such diverse films as “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They” (1969), “Drive, He Said” (1971), “The Great Gatsby” (1974), “Smile” (1975) and “Family Plot” (1976). Recent films include roles in “Monster” (2003), “The Astronaut Farmer” (2006) and as Frank Harlow in the HBO series “Big Love” (2006-11). He was nominated...
- 11/19/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Making much of the year’s top athletes, the 2013 Espy Awards too place at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre La Live earlier this evening (July 17).
With Vintage Trouble serving as the house band and Jon Hamm manning the emcee position, the 21st edition of the Espys was a raging success, complete with plenty of Tinseltown celebrities as well as sports stars.
The night’s big winner was the Miami Heat, which scored the top prize for best team, while LeBron James and Serena Williams took home the awards best male and female athlete respectively.
As for the celebrity presenter roster, folks like Don Cheadle, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Ben Affleck, Selena Gomez, Jason Sudeikis, Chrissy Teigen, Lake Bell, and Kevin Bacon all turned out for their chance to pass out the evening’s trophies.
The complete list of 2013 Espys Winners is:
Best Male Athlete
Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
• Al Mvp was the...
With Vintage Trouble serving as the house band and Jon Hamm manning the emcee position, the 21st edition of the Espys was a raging success, complete with plenty of Tinseltown celebrities as well as sports stars.
The night’s big winner was the Miami Heat, which scored the top prize for best team, while LeBron James and Serena Williams took home the awards best male and female athlete respectively.
As for the celebrity presenter roster, folks like Don Cheadle, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Ben Affleck, Selena Gomez, Jason Sudeikis, Chrissy Teigen, Lake Bell, and Kevin Bacon all turned out for their chance to pass out the evening’s trophies.
The complete list of 2013 Espys Winners is:
Best Male Athlete
Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
• Al Mvp was the...
- 7/18/2013
- GossipCenter
A week ago, this question would have been much easier to answer. Without a championship ring under his belt, LeBron James is merely an explosive all-round forward, a physical specimen and a great player. That is not to say that such a description isn’t impressive, but in the history of NBA many have been considered “great.”
With a ring under his belt however, LeBron James has vaulted himself onto a list of some of the greatest NBA players of all time. Many will argue that he isn’t quite there yet, and that is debatable, but no one can argue that his dominating performances throughout the 2011-2012 playoffs didn’t give him an extraordinary boox.
To begin, it would be advantageous to list players that are definitely above LeBron James. Also, I apologize in advance if certain legends are omitted, but due to the sheer number of greats, it...
With a ring under his belt however, LeBron James has vaulted himself onto a list of some of the greatest NBA players of all time. Many will argue that he isn’t quite there yet, and that is debatable, but no one can argue that his dominating performances throughout the 2011-2012 playoffs didn’t give him an extraordinary boox.
To begin, it would be advantageous to list players that are definitely above LeBron James. Also, I apologize in advance if certain legends are omitted, but due to the sheer number of greats, it...
- 6/25/2012
- by John Tang
- We Got This Covered
On Tuesday, a judge in San Francisco blocked an attempt by former Ncaa athletes including Bill Russell, Ed O'Bannon, and Oscar Robertson to obtain "highly sensitive" TV sports contracts and other documents pertaining to an ongoing class action lawsuit that alleges the Ncaa, its members and conferences and licensing partners are unfairly profiting off of athletes' images. The denial of a motion to compel these documents was a tentative decision by U.S. magistrate judge Nathanael Cousins, but nevertheless is a blow to the ex-athletes' wish to gain information that would purportedly show a conspiracy that the Ncaa forces collegiate
read more...
read more...
- 2/8/2012
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A group of sports legends including Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson is attempting to compel Fox Broadcasting and Espn into sharing information related to its agreements to televise college football and basketball games. The ex-athletes demand to see broadcasting contracts, revenue reports and any discussions relating to litigation in an ongoing class action that alleges the Ncaa and its licensing partners conspired to exploit the names, images and likenesses of amateur athletes. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs take issue with the way that the Ncaa forces collegiate sports stars to relinquish their rights as various colleges and corporations earn
read more...
read more...
- 1/9/2012
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
2K Sports NBA 2K11
With the National Basketball Association season on rocky ground due to labor strife, there’s still one place you can get your NBA action.
2K Sports returns with its basketball game just in time to fill the void with NBA 2K12, the latest update to its annual franchise. It’s a worthy successor to last year’s game, buffing and polishing some of the rough spots out of NBA 2K11. It’s enjoyable, both modern and nostalgic,...
With the National Basketball Association season on rocky ground due to labor strife, there’s still one place you can get your NBA action.
2K Sports returns with its basketball game just in time to fill the void with NBA 2K12, the latest update to its annual franchise. It’s a worthy successor to last year’s game, buffing and polishing some of the rough spots out of NBA 2K11. It’s enjoyable, both modern and nostalgic,...
- 10/6/2011
- by Adam Najberg
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
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