This article's lead sectionmay be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article.(July 2023)
30 for 30 is the title for a series of documentary films airing on ESPN.
Fresh interviews and archival footage track the life and demise of the United States Football League in the mid-1980s. A highlight is Tollin's interview with Donald Trump, the former New Jersey Generals owner whose post-interview comments on the league give this documentary its title.[2]
A look at the October 1980 Muhammad Ali–Larry Holmes fight and its impact on both fighters, featuring fresh interviews with participants and previously unseen lead-up footage from both fighters' camps.
The death of Len Bias from a cocaine-induced heart attack, two days after Boston selected him as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft, and its impact on casual drug use, especially by the sports community.
A profile of Paul Westhead's coaching tenure at Loyola Marymount University (1985–1990), where his Lions' team was known for its high-scoring run-and-gun offense, use of talented players such as Bo Kimble and Hank Gathers, and a pall cast by Gathers's on-court death in 1990.
The 1993 trial of Hampton, Virginia, high school athlete Allen Iverson, convicted for his role in a racially tinged melee, and its impact on both the community and on Iverson's life. (90 minutes in length)
11
11
Silly Little Game
Adam Kurland and Lucas Jansen
April 20, 2010 (2010-04-20)
N/A
Meeting at New York City's La Rotisserie Francaise restaurant in 1980, a group of writers and academics develop Rotisserie Fantasy baseball, only to see it take off in popularity and leave them behind.
A profile of Ricky Williams focuses on his brief 2004 departure from the NFL, when he sought self-redemption amidst media criticism and fresh rumors of marijuana use.
The lives of soccer player Andrés Escobar and drug lordPablo Escobar; the intertwining of crime and soccer in their native Colombia; and the connections between the deaths of both men. (2 hours in length)
A look at the Kirkland National Little League team's success at the 1982 Little League World Series, examining why their title win is considered one of the biggest upsets in the event's history.
The friendship of boxer Mike Tyson and rapper Tupac Shakur and the night of September 7, 1996, when Shakur was murdered after attending the Tyson-Bruce Seldon fight in Las Vegas.
Terry Fox's attempt to run 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi) across Canada in support of fundraising for cancer research captures the attention of his fellow Canadians and the world.
The 1981 recruiting of high school football player Marcus Dupree by multiple big-time college programs, his resulting injury-prone college and professional career, and how his pursuit by college and USFL teams changed the recruiting process. (2 hours in length)
The rise, fall, and rebirth of the SMU Mustangs football program, which received a 1-year "death penalty" for major infractions after former SMU player David Stanley blew the whistle on the long-suspected program. Patrick Duffy, known for starring in TV's Dallas at the time of the scandal, narrates. (2 hours in length)
ESPN Films Presents
Other films were previously announced for Volume I of the series but were not included. These films, which began airing in 2011, are a continuation of 30 for 30, dealing with more sports stories that 30 for 30 did not cover. According to 30 for 30 producer Bill Simmons, "We're spinning off the 30 for 30 series next year into something that will probably be called 30 for 30 Presents or something like that... So even though the SMU doc will be the 30th one (right after the Heisman ceremony) don't think the spirit of the series is going away."[10] These additional films include:
A profile of Chuck Wepner, the original inspiration for Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa character, and how Rocky-like glory eluded Wepner as he took several strange turns in an effort to stay in the spotlight.
The story of Chris Herren, a high school basketball star and NBA player; his career-long struggles with drug abuse; and his ultimate discovery of redemption and personal fulfillment through the game.
The continuing rivalry between Auburn University and the University of Alabama, focusing on the history between the two programs, the bad blood between their fans, and how this intense rivalry came to a pinnacle, just when they ended up needing each other most.
A look at the rise and fall of former USC and NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich, focusing primarily on the complex relationship between Marinovich and his father.
The events and aftermath of former Los Angeles Lakers player Magic Johnson announcing to the world that he tested positive for HIV.
42
12
26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story
Jose Morales
March 15, 2012 (2012-03-15)
N/A
Life of Dewey Bozella and his 26 years behind bars, where he found strength and purpose through boxing (becoming the light heavyweight champion of Sing Sing prison), and his goal to be proven innocent and box professionally once he was released.
The story of Norwegian speed-skating gold medalist Johann Olav Koss, who founded the non-profit organization Right to Play, which brings sports to children in third-world and war-torn countries.
The life and impact of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, set against the backdrop of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Tendulkar's final attempt to lead his country to one-day cricket's ultimate prize. Narrated by Deepak Chopra, the director's father.
Volume II
On May 15, 2012, it was announced that the 30 for 30 series would return in October 2012, with 30 all new documentaries.[23] The documentaries were integrated with Grantland.com by podcasts, feature stories and oral histories.[24]
Unless otherwise noted, the following films are all 90 minutes in length (including commercials).
An exploration of the road to fortune in sports and the eventual detours (for various reasons) to financial difficulties and bankruptcy, as experienced by top athletes including Leon Searcy, Andre Rison, Keith McCants, Bernie Kosar, and Cliff Floyd.
A profile of the Men's 100-meter final at the 1988 Summer Olympics and the lives of the eight men who participated, including Ben Johnson (whose world record of 9.79 seconds was annulled after he tested positive for anabolic steroids) and Carl Lewis (who was awarded the gold medal after Johnson's disqualification).
The story of one fan's obsessive quest to purchase, at a 2010 auction, James Naismith's original rules of basketball, perhaps the most important historical document in American sports history, and to bring it "home" to Lawrence, Kansas, where Naismith taught and coached at the University of Kansas for 39 years. (70 minutes in length)
The life of Ben Wilson, a well-regarded Chicago high school basketball star, and how his November 1984 murder (one day before the start of his senior season) had a wide-ranging impact.
Mississippi native Wright Thompson explores tumultuous events of 1962, when the University of Mississippi campus both erupted in violence over integration and swelled with pride over its unbeaten football team, and how those incidents continue to shape the state 50 years later. (60 minutes in length)
A profile of Bo Jackson and how his college and professional feats in two sports (baseball and football) captured the public's imagination and made Jackson a cultural (and marketing) icon.
A look at the 1983 NFL draft and the six quarterbacks taken in its first round, specifically John Elway (the first overall pick) and Dan Marino (the last QB picked in Round 1). The film features the recollections of Martin Demoff, the agent for both Elway and Marino, who shares a personal diary he kept to chronicle teams' interest in his two future-Hall of Fame clients. This includes the indecision the Baltimore Colts had with drafting Elway with the first pick or trading it away, and how Marino's selection status plummeted after recording weaker senior year statistics and rumors of recreational drug use. Narrated by Tom Selleck.
The story of the colorful figures who made up the American Basketball Association's Spirits of St. Louis, and how Spirits owners Ozzie and Daniel Silna, with their team about to be left out in the ABA's merger with the NBA, managed to negotiate a deal that allowed the brothers' involvement in pro basketball to continue in a most unusual fashion. (60 minutes in length)
An inside look at the two boxing matches between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Durán in the 1980s, with insight from boxing experts, family members and the two fighters themselves.
The story of how young businessman John Spano struck a deal to purchase the New York Islanders in 1996, only to be later revealed as a fraud and being near financial insolvency.
The story of a 39-year-old Jimmy Connors and his unexpected and extraordinary underdog run at the 1991 US Open, where he played as a wildcard entrant and reached the semi-finals of the men's singles draw.
The stories of two Ohio State football figures connected with Youngstown, Ohio, running back Maurice Clarett (a native of the city) and coach Jim Tressel (former head coach at Youngstown State University), their football exploits at OSU (including a national championship in 2002), and their scandalous exits from the school. (2 hours in length)
A profile of a January 6, 1994, incident at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where an unknown attacker strikes entrant Nancy Kerrigan — an assailant that is later revealed to be a hit man hired by the ex-husband of Kerrigan's rival, Tonya Harding, as part of a plan to prevent Kerrigan from competing in the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Note: The Price of Gold originally went by the title Tonya and Nancy during production.[40]
A look back at the New York Knicks' championship teams of the 1970s.
66
23
Brian and The Boz
Thaddeus D. Matula
October 28, 2014 (2014-10-28)
N/A
Former linebacker Brian Bosworth unveils a storage locker to his son Max that contains memorabilia from his college and brief professional career. The elder Bosworth reflects on his life and career, making note of an emerging second persona, The Boz, that had begun to subsume his life.
A look at the life and basketball career of Christian Laettner and the intense dislike some fans still harbor for the former Duke University and NBA star.
A profile of Sonny Vaccaro, who rose from steel town roots in Pennsylvania to become an influential force in both basketball and the athletic shoe industry.
The story of Nick Piantanida, a New Jersey pet store owner and truck driver whose love of parachuting and skydiving puts him on a quest to break the record for the highest recorded parachute jump.
Volume III
In September 2015, it was announced that 30 for 30 would return for a third volume of 30 films, beginning in October 2015.[46]
An exploration of the turbulent relationship between Olympic wrestling brothers Mark and Dave Schultz and their eccentric benefactor, John du Pont, culminating in the murder of Dave by du Pont.
A look at how Evander Holyfield spent years (1989–91 & 1995–96) trying to arrange his first fight with Mike Tyson in an effort to gain the respect he knew he could only gain by defeating Tyson in the ring.
A 10-year retrospective of the Duke lacrosse case, in which a party thrown by members of the school's men's lacrosse team led to an accusation of rape—a claim that, though later proven to be false, ignited both a firestorm that damaged the school's prestige and an investigation that ruined careers.
A profile of the Orlando Magic teams of the mid-1990s, led by Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, who gained prominence both on the NBAhardwoods and in popular culture, before Shaq's departure to the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency and injury issues for Penny ended the Magic's budding dynasty before it could ever take flight.[55]
A look at the notorious 1988 Notre Dame–Miami football game and its personal and cultural impact. Creadon was a senior at Notre Dame when the game took place; his roommate that year was one of the people behind the controversial t-shirt that gave the game, and this film, its name. (2 hours in length)
Two longtime friends, pro wrestling impresario Vince McMahon and NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol (Charlie Ebersol's father), team to form the XFL; the film follows the league's rushed development, its innovative approaches to televised football, and its rapid implosion. The ending foreshadows McMahon's plans to launch a new XFL in 2020 and the Ebersols' upcoming involvement in the competing Alliance of American Football in 2019.
89
15
One and Not Done
Jonathan Hock
April 13, 2017 (2017-04-13)
N/A
The life and career of John Calipari, one of the most polarizing figures in modern college basketball, weaving his story around that of his 2015–16 Kentucky team.
June 13, 2017 (2017-06-13)(Parts 1 & 2) June 14, 2017 (2017-06-14)(Part 3)
N/A
A three-part series, initially airing on consecutive nights, exploring the Celtics–Lakers rivalry, focusing mainly on the 1980s era of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson but also examining the entire history of the NBA through the rivalry. (Parts 1 & 3: 2 hours in length; Part 2: 1 hour in length)
The careers of Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, their stormy 19-year partnership on New York City radio; and the duo's influence on their Big Apple audience and sports talk radio in general.
George Best, Northern Ireland's legendary star, remains one of the most naturally gifted soccer players ever. Best's skill and exuberance lifted Manchester United, but his career was essentially over before he turned 29, the result of his battle with alcoholism.
In any other year, the 1988 team from Dallas's Carter High School would have gone down as one of the greatest in Texas football history, featuring 28 players who received college scholarship offers, eight of whom would eventually play professional football. Fighting off racial prejudice and a grades controversy—not to mention the team that would overshadow them in book and film (OdessaPermian)—Carter would claim the state title, only to be rocked to their core when six of their players were involved in an armed robbery that's affected the community's reputation to this day; the grades controversy would ultimately lead the UIL to strip the team of the title.
94
20
Year of the Scab
John Dorsey
September 12, 2017 (2017-09-12)
N/A
During the 1987 players' strike, the Washington Redskins field a roster of replacement players that goes 3–0 and helps pave the way for the Redskins' Super Bowl victory. Thirty years on, those players bear the stigma of being dismissed as "scabs" by fans in general and Washington management in particular.
The life of NFL legend Junior Seau, from his upbringing in a Samoan immigrant family, through his path to NFL superstardom and status as a league icon, ending in his untimely death from a seemingly inexplicable suicide in 2012.
A look at Pro Football Hall of FamerDeion Sanders, focusing specifically on a 24-hour span in 1992 when he sandwiched an NFL game between a pair of Major League Baseball postseason games in cities separated by 1,000 miles.
The highs and lows of Felipe López, born into a family of Dominican immigrants to become a star high school and (at St. John's) collegiate basketball player, and the contentment he finds after a less-than-successful pro career.
How Janet Guthrie faced scorn, skepticism, and subpar equipment to shock the racing world by becoming the first female driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.
O.J.: Made in America, which was directed by Ezra Edelman, was billed as a "mini-series event" in the 30 for 30 series.[74] The five-part documentary series examines the life of O. J. Simpson, as well as the broader issues of race and celebrity in the United States as it pertained to Simpson's 1995 criminal trial for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her acquaintance, Ronald Lyle Goldman. Made in America also focuses on other aspects in Simpson's life, including his success on the football field, his celebrity away from the gridiron, and his later conviction and imprisonment in a robbery case. Part 1 aired on June 11, 2016, with Parts 2–5 airing on June 14, 15, 17 and 18, respectively.[75][k]
On January 7, 2019, ESPN announced the next set of 30 For 30 documentaries.[77] In March 2020, ESPN announced that The Last Dance would air earlier on April 19, 2020, due to the high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.[78]
The hot-and-cold relationship between MMA fighters Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, from the start of UFC through its rise in popularity and to the present day.
A comprehensive look at Michael Vick’s saga, including his days as a prep, college, and NFL star; his ostracism (and prison sentence) for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring; and his polarizing return to public life.
September 27, 2020 (2020-09-27)(Part 1) September 28, 2020 (2020-09-28)(Part 2) September 29, 2020 (2020-09-29)(Part 3) September 30, 2020 (2020-09-30)(Part 4)[86][l]
N/A
The life of South African Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, from his childhood during the last days of apartheid, to worldwide celebrity as the first double-leg amputee to compete in the able-bodied Olympics, to his conviction for killing his girlfriend.
The story of the Tarahumara, a Mexican indigenous community famed for their legendary running ability (and preference to do so barefoot), how they inspired an ultra-running craze across the world, and what's happened as their homes and communities were ravaged by drug cartels and violence.
Using deepfake technology and content from the NFL Films archives, reconstructions of Raiders owner Al Davis and NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle tell the story of their contentious rivalry, in particular Davis's desire to move his team from Oakland to Los Angeles despite the league's objections.
A look at the decision by Maya Moore, one of women's basketball's most decorated players, to step away from her sport to advocate for a man she believed to be wrongly imprisoned — a cause that changed her life in unexpected ways.
A look at a January 2002 NFL playoff game where, thanks to a controversial rule, what appeared to be a fumble by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (after being hit by Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson) was instead ruled an incomplete pass — and became a destiny-changing moment. The film features Brady and Woodson, former Michigan Wolverine teammates, re-watching the game together at Brady's home.
A profile of professional golfer Greg Norman, and how his legendary career was shaped by a stunning collapse (from a 6-shot lead) in the final round of the 1996 Masters.
How a dominating defense and irrepressible personalities propelled the 2000 Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory. The film, produced in cooperation with NFL Films, is framed by a May 2022 reunion of the team's key figures. (2 hours in length)
May 30, 2023 (2023-05-30)(Part 1) May 31, 2023 (2023-05-31)(Part 2)
N/A
A look back at American Gladiators, whose amateur vs. professional competitions (and David vs. Goliath storylines) captivated audiences for 7 years (1989-1996) and is regarded as a forerunner of the competitive reality TV genre.
A look at Reggie White's complex and sometimes controversial life as both a Hall of Fame defensive end and an ordained evangelical minister. The film features unseen footage from an interview White recorded before his death in 2004.
A look at content creators Dude Perfect, going over their dramatic rise and the sacrifices they went through in the realm of sports-themed entertainment.
Ramón Torres confronts a deception within the Spanish basketball ID team he captained at the 2000 Summer Paralympics: Many of his teammates were revealed to not actually have intellectual disabilities (and were stripped of their gold-medal win as a result). (90 minutes in length)
A nostalgic look back at the defensive line of the 1980s New York Jets.
Unknown
Down in the Valley, directed by Jason Hehir, explores how Sacramento mayor and former NBA all-star Kevin Johnson played "point guard" in an effort to keep the Kings from relocating to Seattle. The film was originally scheduled to air on October 20, 2015, as part of Volume III,[46] but was delayed to an unspecified date in early October 2015, in light of then-recent articles revisiting allegations of sexual misconduct involving Johnson.[109] It did have a local premiere in Sacramento before its planned broadcast.[110]
30 for 30 Shorts
30 for 30 Shorts are short films that have been featured on the 30 for 30 website as well as the now-defunct Grantland.com website; they have also been featured on ESPN or its related networks, either on 30 for 30 compilation shows or on SportsCenter.[111][112]
The career of Alfred Slote, an author of sports-oriented children's books (Jake being his personal favorite) whose interest was not so much the games played but the drama that the characters encountered.
An exploration into the history, mystery, and industry surrounding "The Arnold Palmer", the lemonade-and-iced tea beverage created by the same-named golfing legend that has become a fixture of nineteenth hole lore and American leisure.
5
Ali: The Mission
Amani Martin
January 16, 2013 (2013-01-16)
13:45
The efforts of Muhammad Ali to negotiate with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein for the release of U.S. civilians taken hostage after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
The style evolution of New York Knicks player and broadcaster Walt Frazier, from his cool-as-ice look in the 1970s to his use of vibrant colors and patterns today.
7
Holy Grail: The T206 Honus Wagner
Nick and Colin Barnicle
February 27, 2013 (2013-02-27)
14:00
The story of the rare and valuable T206 Honus Wagnerbaseball card—over a century old and valued in the millions of dollars—and the myths and realities that surround it.
The struggles of Clint Malarchuk, the "Cowboy Goalie", from a childhood spent riding horses and suffering from OCD to the grueling recovery period after his carotid artery was severed by an opponent's skate blade, one of the most gruesome injuries in sports history.
11
Tommy and Frank
Richie Keen
July 24, 2013 (2013-07-24)
11:30
An intimate, funny, and compelling take on the unique relationship and shared legacy of Tommy John, the chatty Indiana lefty who won nearly 300 Major League games, and Dr. Frank Jobe, the unassuming L.A. orthopedist who conceived and performed a revolutionary elbow operation on John in 1974.
12
Wilt Chamberlain: Borscht Belt Bellhop
Caroline Laskow and Ian Rosenberg
August 14, 2013 (2013-08-14)
8:45
Rarely seen archival footage and interviews with people who lived and worked with Wilt Chamberlain give a fascinating glimpse into the basketball star's experiences in the Borscht Belt during its heyday.
Johnnie Ashe tells of a personal sacrifice: After finishing a tour of service in the Vietnam War, Johnnie, a U.S. Marine, volunteers to serve another tour in place of his older brother, Army 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Ashe. Johnnie's selfless move allows Arthur to continue his budding tennis career.
The intriguing life and tragic death of businessman Donald Aronow, a prominent name in the world of powerboat racing.
15
The Schedule Makers
Joseph Garner
November 6, 2013 (2013-11-06)
12:25
Using only a computer, a pencil and paper, and cooperation, the husband-and-wife duo of Henry and Holly Stephenson spent almost a quarter-century creating Major League Baseball's season schedule.
16
The Great Imposter
Matt Dilmore
November 20, 2013 (2013-11-20)
9:45
Beginning with stealing a player's warm-up outfit and posing as a player at the 1979 NBA All-Star Game, Barry Bremen begins a playful run fulfilling the average sports fan's ultimate fantasy, sneaking into the fields of play to pose as players, golfers, game officials, and even a cheerleader.
Security guard Richard Jewell received praise in the aftermath of a bombing during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta when he helped clear the area and found the bag that contained the pipe bomb. But praise turns into loss of honor when Jewell was wrongfully accused of planting the bomb in the ensuing investigation.[113]
A profile of Shawn Bradley, a 7-foot-6 center who spent the majority of his NBA career on the wrong end of epic dunks (the kind usually found on posters), and how he went from a bust on the basketball court to a superstar off of it.
22
MECCA: The Floor That Made Milwaukee Famous
Chris James Thompson
June 11, 2014 (2014-06-11)
14:00
The story behind the iconic, multicolored basketball court Robert Indiana designed for the MECCA Arena, home to the Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette Warriors until 1988, and how one Bucks fan used his family's credit card to rescue the floor from the scrap heap.
23
The High Five
Michael Jacobs
July 23, 2014 (2014-07-23)
10:15
When L.A. DodgerDusty Baker hit his 30th home run of the 1977 season, the first man to greet him at home plate was his friend and teammate, rookie Glenn Burke. Overcome with happiness, Burke did the first thing that came to mind—he put his hand straight in the air and had Baker slap it, thus in fact creating the high five gesture.
A profile of the mental side of sports focuses on Mackey Sasser, a talented catcher who suddenly couldn't perform the routine task of throwing the ball back to the pitcher, and how confronting boyhood traumas helped in his mental recovery.
A look inside the mindset of legendary Boston Bruins enforcer John Wensink, who endeared himself to fans when he infamously challenged the entire Minnesota North Stars bench to a fight, and the journey his life took following his playing career.
28
Robbed
Eric Drath
December 3, 2014 (2014-12-03)
16:30
A look at the 1976 Muhammad Ali/Ken Nortonfight at Yankee Stadium. The bout's controversial decision is only part of the story, as gang activity and theft in the wake of an NYPD strike was happening right outside the stadium's gates.
Growing up in Hawaii, Reggie Ho always thought he would follow his father's footsteps into medicine, yet he becomes a crucial contributor to Notre Dame's undefeated 1988 season as a walk-on player.
30
The Sweat Solution
David Beilinson and Neil Amdur
January 21, 2015 (2015-01-21)
16:45
Dr. Robert Cade, a renowned kidney specialist at the University of Florida, leads a research team that develops a drink designed to help replenish body fluids lost by the school's football team – a "magic elixir" that would later be called Gatorade.
31
An Immortal Man
Josh Koury and Myles Kane
February 25, 2015 (2015-02-25)
15:00
A look at the issue of cryogenically preserving Ted Williams's body.
32
Wrestling the Curse
Amanda Spain
February 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)
17:00
Kevin Von Erich was part of a legendary wrestling family (he and fellow brothers David, Mike, Chris, and Kerry). The only surviving brother (the other four were lost to drug addiction or suicide), Kevin now finds peace living off the grid in a remote part of Hawaii.
33
The Billion Dollar Game
Nick Guthe
March 18, 2015 (2015-03-18)
13:45
A recollection of how the Princeton Tigers, a heavy underdog, nearly defeated top-seeded Georgetown in the first round of the 1989NCAA tournament, a game that would forever change March Madness.
34
Unhittable: Sidd Finch and the Tibetan Fastball
Peter Sillen
April 1, 2015 (2015-04-01)
22:31
For Sports Illustrated's April 1, 1985, issue, George Plimpton profiled Sidd Finch, a highly eccentric New York Mets prospect who could throw a fastball at an unheard-of 168 mph... and who was a product of Plimpton's imagination. On the 30th anniversary of the April Fools hoax, the surviving people responsible are profiled, including the Illinois middle-school teacher who posed as Finch for SI.
Aiming to satirize the loveable team mascot craze of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the 1984 San Francisco Giants introduce an "anti-mascot" named "Crazy Crab". With fans encouraged to take the "anti-" literally, Crazy Crab and the actor playing him, Wayne Doba, endure verbal and physical abuse over the course of the Giants' last-place season.
Already a proven broadcasting and sports executive, as well as an America's Cup-winning yachtsman, Ted Turner enters and skippers Tenacious in the 1979 Fastnet yachting race. Here, Turner and Tenacious's crew recall the harrowing race, an event marred by a deadly storm in the Celtic Sea.
37
Spyball
Christina Burchard and Daniel Newman
July 8, 2015 (2015-07-08)
18:00
The story of Moe Berg, a 15-year veteran of Major League Baseball who went on to become a World War II spy for the United States.
A profile of Kansas City Chiefs star Joe Delaney, whose reputation for helping others lasted until his drowning death in 1983, when he attempted to save the lives of three boys in a Louisiana pond (though he himself could not swim).
A mid-season visit to Kansas City by South Korean native and avid Royals fan Lee Sung-woo is followed by a Royals' surge to the 2014 playoffs. With the team in the World Series, an attempt is made by two Royals fans to bring their "good-luck charm" from Seoul back to KC.
43
Every Day
Gabe Spitzer
October 28, 2015 (2015-10-28)
11:30
The story of Joy Johnson, who took up running at age 59 after raising four children and went on to participate in 25 New York City Marathons.
How diverGreg Louganis dealt with two different pressures surrounding him at the 1988 Olympics—his attempt to defend his double gold medal performance from 1984 and the discovery of his HIV-positive status prior to the Games.
47
Friedman's Shoes
Danny Lee
February 9, 2016 (2016-02-09)
12:00
The story of Friedman's, an Atlanta shoe store that specialized in really big (think size 22), really expensive shoes for the six-foot-something athlete.
48
Slick, Nancy, and the Telethon
Michael Husain
February 16, 2016 (2016-02-16)
14:30
The story of how the Indiana Pacers avoided financial ruin by holding a telethon in the summer of 1977.
49
The Bad Boy of Bowling
Bryan Storkel
February 23, 2016 (2016-02-23)
19:00
A look at the life of Pete Weber, the self-declared "bad boy of bowling" and the sport's first rock star.
50
I Am Yup'ik
Daniele Anastasion and Nathan Golon
March 1, 2016 (2016-03-01)
17:15
A 16-year-old Yup'ik Eskimo leaves his tiny village and travels across the frozen tundra to compete in an all-Yup'ik basketball tournament and bring pride to his village.
When Patrick Q. F. Barr found a discarded golf club in the trash, he decided to save it and play street golf in New York City using paper milk cartons stuffed with newspaper, earning him the nickname, "Tiger Hood".
53
When The King Held Court
Palmer Holton
April 19, 2016 (2016-04-19)
8:30
How Elvis Presley became a racquetball enthusiast in the final years of his life, going so far as to build a court at his mansion and proposing a chain of racquetball centers.
While A.C. Green is well-known for his basketball talents (winning 3 NBA titles with the "Showtime"-era Lakers and playing in a league-record 1,192 consecutive games), he is also known for abiding by his Christian beliefs and remaining celibate throughout his entire NBA career.
56
The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere
Mickey Duzyj
May 17, 2016 (2016-05-17)
18:30
How Japanese thoroughbredHaru Urara, who never won a race in her career, became a symbol of hope to her country and saved her home racetrack from financial ruin.
57
We Are
Jay Bulger and Joshua Shelov
May 24, 2016 (2016-05-24)
11:00
A look back at the aftermath of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, focusing specifically on the removal of Joe Paterno's statue from the campus and the design of its replacement.
The successes and struggles of Nadia Comăneci, from being an accomplished (and perfect-score) Romanian gymnast to life as a United States citizen.
59
The Guerrilla Fighter
Gaspar González
July 27, 2016 (2016-07-27)
17:30
The story of Alexis Argüello, legendary in Nicaragua as both a political figure and one of the greatest boxers of the 20th century.
60
What the Hell Happened to Jai Alai
Ryan Suffern
August 2, 2016 (2016-08-02)
15:00
How jai alai went from drawing crowds of thousands in Miami in the 1970s and 1980s to being fortunate to draw 100 to a match today.
61
The Throwback
Erin Leyden
December 3, 2016 (2016-12-03)
11:00
A look back at the college career of Gordie Lockbaum, who became a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist in the 1980s at Division I-AAHoly Cross as a figurative throwback to an earlier era of football, sometimes participating in more than 80% of his team's plays (offense and defense) in a given game.
62
The Counterfeiter
Brian Biegel
May 17, 2017 (2017-05-17)
22:30
The story of Greg Marino, master forger and target of a 1990s FBI investigation known as Operation Bullpen.
Wally Blasé is assigned to oversee Chicago BullDennis Rodman's knee rehab. What followed was 10 days of jet-setting, brushes with celebrity, a lifelong friendship between Blasé and Rodman – and the Bulls' 5th NBA title.
66
Locked In
Alison Ellwood
August 3, 2018 (2018-08-03)
38:00
The story of Victoria Arlen, who was endowed with both athletic talent and a loving family until being "locked" into a vegetative state and unable to communicate. With the help of family and therapy, Victoria would come out of her "prison" to become a medal-winning swimmer at the 2012 Paralympics and, after recovering the use of her legs, a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.
The anxiety experienced by Felix Baumgartner during the lead-up to his ultimately successful attempt to become the first human to break the sound barrier without the benefit of engine power.
68
Mack Wrestles
Taylor Hess and Erin Sanger
September 22, 2019 (2019-09-22)
25:45
The story of Mack Beggs and his desire to compete in boys' wrestling in Texas, even though state interscholastic officials, who recognized him as female (Beggs is a trans male), forced him to compete in girls' competitions.
69
Subject to Review
Theo Anthony
December 22, 2019 (2019-12-22)
36:45
A look at the history, development, and implementation of the photographic computer-modeled review system of tennis line calls, and the intersection of technology and our perceptions of the physical world.
A look at the issues surrounding the Cleveland baseball team's name change from Indians to "Guardians" as well as the rise and fall of the Penobscot player who inspired the earlier derogatory nickname, Louis Sockalexis.
Common goals of teamwork and dedication to a shared purpose unite a youth soccer team, composed of 9 children each from Palestine and Israel, many of whom come face-to-face with the other nationality for the first time in their lives.
Films and television
On a number of occasions, the 30 for 30 format has been used to promote sports films and television:
On January 11, 2014, it was announced that a soccer-only 30 for 30 series, featuring two-feature-length films and six 30-minute films, would be aired in April 2014, featuring "compelling narratives from around the international soccer landscape". Additionally, a 10-part vignette series, titled Coraçao, aired during ESPN's 2014 FIFA World Cup coverage and examined the history and culture of host country Brazil.[122]
A look at the April 15, 1989 tragedy at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, England, where overcrowding in the stadium's standing-room-only areas led to a crushing stampede that killed 96 people and injured 766.[n] The film examines the ongoing efforts of victims' families to seek exoneration of their loved ones, who were blamed in part by local authorities in an attempt to conceal police and security inadequacies. (2 hours in length)
Chile hosts a decisive World Cup qualifier at Santiago'sNational Stadium just weeks after it had been transformed into a concentration camp and killing field for opponents of Augusto Pinochet (who had just gained power in a military coup). Though FIFA investigates the matter, the game goes on, with the Chilean team winning in a walkover after their opponents from the Soviet Union boycott in protest over the stadium's use. (30 minutes in length)
Examining the legend of Mané Garrincha, who overcame bent legs to lead Brazil to two World Cup wins through his amusing style of play, and the efforts of his family and fans to give him a proper burial in Rio de Janeiro after his death in 1983. The Myth of Garrincha originally went by the title Garrincha: Crippled Angel during production.[122] (30 minutes in length)
The Jules Rimet Trophy, awarded to the World Cup winners from 1930 to 1970, is a prize shrouded in mystery, as the whereabouts of the original trophy is unknown. This film focuses on the trophy's first brush with crime—a Nazi plan to steal the Rimet Trophy from Italy during World War II—and Ottorino Barassi, an Italian soccer official who attempted to protect the valued prize. (30 minutes in length)
A 10-part vignette series exploring the music, dance and history of Brazil, revealing what lies behind Brazil's legend (something most Americans know little about) and exploring how soccer is truly the expression of the soul of its people.
30 for 30 Podcasts
On September 7, 2016, it was announced that ESPN Films and ESPN Audio would produce 30 for 30 Podcasts, reporting on new sports stories using a narrative podcasting approach.[128] The podcast was launched in June 2017, with the first season produced and hosted by Jody Avirgan and a team of in-house producers. Future season have featured both single-episode and serialized, season-long subject matter, produced "in collaboration with outside reporters, documentarians, and ESPN talent." The 30 for 30 theme music was re-worked for the podcast series by Hrishikesh Hirway, who is a musician, composer and the host of the Song Exploder podcast.[129]
Season 1
The first season was released in mid-2017 and was produced and hosted by Jody Avirgan and a team of in-house producers.[129] It featured the following episodes:[130]
How Phil Ivey pulled off an elaborate baccarat scheme in 2012 that won him over $20 million (and landed him in court) — with help from a secretive mastermind who crafted the scheme to get revenge.
With a warden's assistance, professional boxer James Scott rises through the sport's ranks while serving a prison term for a 1975 armed robbery.
Season 2
Season two launched in November 2017 and features the following episodes:[136]
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Length (mins.)
Original release date
6
1
Hoodies Up
31:00
November 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
Five weeks after the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the Miami Heat pose in hoodies for a photo that spurs conversations about gun violence and race, as well as a new era of athlete activism.
A look at Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking 2012 free fall from the edge of space and the technical and psychological problems that surrounded it.
Season 3: Bikram
Season three, subtitled Bikram, consists of five episodes that released in May 2018. Reported and produced by Julia Lowrie Henderson, it explores the life of Bikram Choudhury, who has been lauded as an innovator and guru of yoga but has also had a history of dark behavior, including bankruptcy, and sexual assault and harassment allegations.[137][138]
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Length (mins.)
Original release date
11
1
Bikram Part 1: Arrival
41:00
May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)
After arriving in Los Angeles in the 1970s, Bikram Choudhury establishes the foundation for his yoga empire through his rags-to-riches origin story and connections with the rich and famous.
12
2
Bikram Part 2: Process
37:00
May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)
Bikram's hot yoga training puts pupils through intense suffering and begins to reveal his complex character.
13
3
Bikram Part 3: Power
37:00
May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)
A review of Bikram's hardball approach to claiming ownership over his brand of yoga, as well as a separation of truths from falsehoods in his life story.
14
4
Bikram Part 4: Truth
45:00
May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)
As Bikram's darkest behaviors begin to emerge, the community devoted to his yoga is forced to face the truth about its leader.
15
5
Bikram Part 5: Reckoning
33:00
May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)
Members of the Bikram yoga community wrestle with the guru's reputation and their own complicity in his behavior.
Season 4
Season Four launched in October 2018 and features the following episodes:[139][140][141]
Two iconic protests (at the 1968 Boston Marathon and the 1972 New York City Marathon) generate a movement that would see women competing with men in long-distance running events.
Still yearning to continue his baseball playing career at 46 and not seeing offers from MLB, former Oakland Athletics legend Rickey Henderson instead joins an independent league.
21
6
Back Pass
49:42
May 12, 2019 (2019-05-12)
Members of the 1999 United States women's national soccer team use their newfound fame to help launch the first women's pro soccer league, the WUSA, but management tensions jeopardize the venture.
The season begins with what would spark Donald Sterling's downfall: Audio, secretly recorded by his mistress and leaked to the media, in which he expresses racist comments.
23
2
The Sterling Affairs Part 2: The Opposite of Showtime
49:00
August 20, 2019 (2019-08-20)
Jerry Buss relies on Sterling's real estate savvy to purchase the Lakers. It helps propel that team to "Showtime" success but leaves Sterling, owner of the floundering Clippers, envious.
24
3
The Sterling Affairs Part 3: Property
49:50
August 20, 2019 (2019-08-20)
Donald and Shelly Sterling escape poverty to build an LA real estate and basketball empire, but it allows Donald to engage, without consequence, in womanizing and housing discrimination.
25
4
The Sterling Affairs Part 4: Fallout
42:52
August 20, 2019 (2019-08-20)
The release of the audio tape results in an exercising of power by NBA players – and leads Adam Silver, in his first major test as NBA commissioner, to banish Sterling from the league.
26
5
The Sterling Affairs Part 5: Not Fit
48:49
August 20, 2019 (2019-08-20)
After the NBA banishes Donald Sterling, wife Shelly makes legal maneuvers to declare him mentally unfit, seize control of the Clippers, and sell the franchise.
Season 6
Season six released in November and December 2019, include the following episodes:[144]
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Length (mins.)
Original release date
27
1
The Spy Who Signed Me
45:12
November 12, 2019 (2019-11-12)
American-born WNBA stars Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird enjoy the riches of playing women's pro basketball in Russia, but are forced to reckon with the dark past of the team owner who ensured their lavish life, Shabtai Kalmanovich.
28
2
Out of the Woods
45:14
November 19, 2019 (2019-11-19)
Biathlete Kari Swenson recalls her July 1984 kidnapping and her mental and physical recovery process to return to competition.
Season seven features the seven-part miniseries Heavy Medals, focusing on women's gymnastics coaches Béla & Márta Karolyi and their controversial training methods. All seven episodes of the season were released on July 14, 2020, and are reported by Bonnie D. Ford and Alyssa Roenigk.[145][146]
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Length (mins.)
Original release date
31
1
Heavy Medals Part 1: Made in Romania
41:35
July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
After turning fellow Romanian Nadia Comaneci into a global symbol of gymnastic excellence, Béla & Márta Karolyi defect to the U.S. in a desire to seek greater ambitions.
32
2
Heavy Medals Part 2: American Hustle
44:28
July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
After Mary Lou Retton gains Nadia-like Olympic perfection, she and the Karolyis become household names, prompting Béla to harness that success for his own cause.
33
3
Heavy Medals Part 3: The Béla Show
34:58
July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
After his champion fails at the 1992 Olympics, Béla steps away from the spotlight – but becomes the focus of abuse allegations.
34
4
Heavy Medals Part 4: Home Games
33:55
July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
The talent of Dominique Moceanu pulls the Karolyis back into coaching, but it's long-overshadowed veteran Kerri Strug who brings them new Olympic success.
35
5
Heavy Medals Part 5: The Karolyi Way
38:49
July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
With the 2000 Olympics in sight and its team languishing in mediocrity, USA Gymnastics turns to Béla to oversee the training and team selection process.
36
6
Heavy Medals Part 6: The Rise of Martha
41:58
July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
Márta emerges from under her husband's shadow to become a gymnastics force in her own right, but her approach leads to a discarding of injured athletes – and a culture of silence.
37
7
Heavy Medals Part 7: The Unraveling
50:56
July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
As Márta's own coaching success is established, scandal rocks the gymnastics world and calls the Karolyis' demanding legacy into question.
Notes
^Into the Wind had its premiere on Canada's TSN2 on September 19, 2010.
^The Little Master premiered on ESPN Caribbean on February 12, 2015, followed by ESPN in the US on February 15 and in Australia and New Zealand on February 22.[22]
^Brothers in Exile premiered on ESPN Deportes on November 1, 2014, in Spanish, followed by its English premiere on ESPN on November 4, 2014.[44]
^Four Falls of Buffalo debuted at the North Park Theater in Buffalo, New York, on December 9, 2015, three days before its premiere on ESPN.[51]
^This film premiered at the 2016 AFI Docs festival on June 26.[59]
^Tommy was available exclusively on the ESPN app and on-demand beginning September 13, 2017, before making its broadcast premiere on September 27, 2017, on ESPN2.[64]
^The documentary premiered exclusively on the ESPN+ streaming service. Subscribers had the option to view each part as it aired, or view the entire film on demand starting at the original air date.[86]
^The Great Trade Robbery premiered on ESPN on October 7, 2014 (the same night as Playing for the Mob) before its release online the next day.[44]
^One of the injured, who had suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him permanently incapacitated, died in 2021 and was officially listed as the 97th fatality from the disaster.
^Hillsborough was an ESPN–BBC co-production. It could not be aired in the UK until 2016 because an official inquiry into the disaster was ongoing at the time of its first airing in the U.S. After the inquest verdict was announced, footage from the inquest and final verdict would be added to the film.
