Jordan NBA documentary finished early for April debut

By AFP |   01 April 2020   |   11:29 am  

Basketball – NBA – Charlotte Hornets v Milwaukee Bucks – AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France – January 24, 2020 Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan during a pre match press conference REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

A 10-part documentary series on retired NBA legend Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty has been finished early for an April release to the US and worldwide audiences, presenters announced Tuesday.

“The Last Dance” originally was expected to debut in early June alongside the start of the 2020 NBA Finals before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has shut down sports leagues, but now will start April 19 on ESPN.

“April 19th can’t come fast enough. I CAN NOT WAIT!! Yessir!” four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James tweeted Tuesday.

James, who sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to the Western Conference lead when the season was halted, was among those who pushed for launch while much of the United States is quarantined at home without live sports events to watch on TV.

The documentary will be available outside the United States on Netflix on five consecutive Mondays starting April 20, in each case one day later than its US premiere on ESPN.

“Michael Jordan and the ’90s Bulls weren’t just sporting superstars, they were a global phenomenon,” director Jason Hehir said.

“Making ‘The Last Dance’ was an incredible opportunity to explore the extraordinary impact of one man and one team.”

The production features footage by an NBA Entertainment film crew that was given permission by Jordan, coach Phil Jackson and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf to follow the team all season during the 1997-98 campaign as the team chased the sixth title in eight seasons.

“As society navigates this time without live sports, viewers are still looking to the sports world to escape and enjoy a collective experience,” ESPN said in a statement.

“We’ve heard the calls from fans asking us to move up the release date for this series, and we’re happy to announce that we’ve been able to accelerate the production schedule to do just that.”

You may also like

13 hours ago
The Vice President, Visa West Africa, Andrew Uaboi, has explained why his firm chose Nigerian track and field athletes, Tobi Amusan and Goodness Nwachukwu, as part of its diverse roster of Team Visa athletes ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
13 hours ago
Despite Super Eagles’ 0-2 loss to the Eagles of Mali on Tuesday night, Coach Finidi George said that the Nigerians were the better team.
8 hours ago
Defender Kenneth Omeruo has assured that the Super Eagles’ players are determined to give their all for maximum points when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June.