Nothing dominates the sports documentary landscape quite like ESPN’s “30 for 30” series. Since their debut in 2009, these looks at memorable moments in sports history have captivated audiences. What typically makes a 30 for 30, however, is the analysis that goes beyond sport. While the stories typically root themselves in to an athletic feat, the beauty is the behind-the-scenes, never before told stories unveiled before us.
Sports is ever-evolving. Storylines don’t take time off. Even in the heart of a pandemic, since the return of baseball in mid July, sports occupy our screens on a daily basis. With so many stories emerging in recent years, there’s great potential for some incredible tales to add to the lore of existing 30 for 30s. Let’s present ten topics worthy of documentaries. We’ll give each story a title that fits the aura that ESPN gives their docs, too (Ex: This Magic Moment). Following the title gives context into what the story would cover. With the format laid out, let’s get to it. What if I told you…
10. A King and His Queens
Focus of Story: Geno Auriemma and UConn Women’s Basketball
We’ll start things off with a focus on one of the most dominant runs in the history of any sport. Connecticut’s women’s basketball program in the mid 2010s simply never lost. That’s not hyperbole, as the Huskies went on a 111 game winning streak that started in 2014, and lasted until March of 2017. At the helm for all of it was head coach and basketball legend, Geno Auriemma. This documentary would highlight just how remarkable a run UConn had, while also delving into the allure of UConn for female basketball players and recruits. The doc would also display how many notable female basketball players, such as Maya Moore, Brianna Stewart, Sue Bird, Swin Cash and Tina Charles, have all come through the program.
9. The Factory and The Machine
Focus of Story: Alabama football and its connection to campus politics.
Roll Tide, y’all. Alabama has become synonymous with winning. The Crimson Tide have been in the College Football Playoff in every season but one since its inception, and have produced more NFL players than any other school in the country. Nick Saban is largely responsible for this, as he’s arguably the greatest coach College Football has ever seen. Every recruit that has ever signed at ‘Bama in his tenure has won a championship. Commonly referred to as an “NFL Factory”, dive past Saban’s program to identify the machine that powers it all. For years, a (not-so) secret society has operated in Tuscaloosa. Known as “The Machine”, an influence on student and state politics lies deep within connected to the Crimson Tide. A documentary here would focus on the overlap and connections between the winning culture of the southern football school and its underground society.
8. Every Rose has its Thorn
Focus of Story: Derrick Rose’s NBA story.
In 2010, Derrick Rose accepted the NBA’s MVP award, making him the youngest player in league history to ever do so. The stardom at such a young age led many to believe the Chicago Bulls may have found their next Jordan. Those who follow the NBA know it didn’t quite work out that way. Derailed by injuries, Rose’s career never took off after his remarkable MVP year. Nonetheless, he grinded in the later years of his career, and managed to pull of a remarkable comeback to the league, capped by a tear-jerking 50 point performance in 2018.
Every Rose has its Thorn tells the entire story of D-Rose. Covering everything from his national exposure at Memphis, to his unique jumping mechanics that many believe impacted his injuries, to his comeback story, this documentary would be a heart-warming tale for one of the league’s most beloved players of his era.
7. Tiger Cub
Focus of Story: Charlie Woods
I’m going to cheat a little with this one. Charlie Woods is only 11 years old. And while the youngster is yet to compete for a true major golf tournament, the sight beholden to us last month, watching Charlie’s sweet swing next to his dad’s at the PNC Championship told me one thing: that’s destiny toward greatness personified. When he inevitably wins multiple Masters and stacks a resume similar to Tiger’s, this story will write itself. The similarities in his swing and attitude on the course to his father’s will make any dad in America emotional, and his story will be one for the ages.
6. Tebow Time!
Focus of Story: Tim Tebow’s football legacy
There was a period of time where you couldn’t talk about professional football without mentioning Tim Tebow. His magical run for the Denver Broncos remains an all-time moment in sports history. Beyond Tebow’s incredible playoff win, however, lies a fascinating look at one of the greatest competitors we’ve ever seen. Tebow won a Heisman and a National Championship during his time at Florida. His iconic “I Promise” speech remains inscribed on the walls in Gainesville. On top of all of that is his unique position as a connection between sports and religion. A Tebow documentary would give tremendous insight into the meaning behind faith and football, while highlighting the many accomplishments of a football legend’s career.
5. Do Your Job
Focus of Story: The dominance of the New England Patriots
When does winning become the only thing that matters? When you join the New England Patriots organization. There are so many angles to create a story from with this cast. The main focus would lie on the connection between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest QB/HC combo of all time.. Both have unique personalities that have further solidified their reputations in league history.
There are supporting characters such as Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Aaron Hernandez, Julian Edelman and Antonio Brown, who all have interesting contributions of their own to the legacy of the organization. Then there’s the alleged cheating. The Pats have had their fair share of scandals in recent years, and a little digging from ESPN would surely bring some controversy to light.
4. Golden Boys
Focus of Story: The Golden State Warriors dynasty of the late 2010s
This had to be on here. No league produces drama better than the NBA, and the drama might’ve peaked during this era. However you feel about the Warriors’ legacy, there’s no denying that they boasted some of the greatest teams in NBA history and highlighted the player empowerment movement that has swept across the league in today’s game. Kevin Durant’s decision to join the superteam that knocked him out of the playoffs will forever be one of the most stunning free agency moments in any sport. Steph Curry’s analyzation of the game that changed the sport into what we watch today is too influential to not explore. The rivalry between LeBron James and the “Hamptons 5” is basketball and sports history, unrepeatable. Even Draymond Green’s antics and legacy would make for great commentary.
3. Goats to Glory
Focus of Story: Virginia Basketball’s turnaround from 2018 to 2019
The University of Virginia climbed from the pits of despair to the top of the mountain in a span of a year. The Cavaliers entered the 2018 NCAA Tournament as the top overall seed and favorites to win the title. Instead, they ended up on the losing side of the greatest upset in college basketball history. Not only did the UMBC Retrievers beat Virginia, they destroyed them. The first upset completed by a 16 seed in March, it spun out of control, turning the Virginia Cavaliers into memes ingrained in internet lore. In a situation where many would roll over, the Cavaliers got back to work.
The leaders of the ’18 squad returned for another year and marched all the way to a National Championship. Anchored by Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and DeAndre Hunter, Virginia clawed through the gauntlet that is March and beat Texas Tech in Overtime to cut down the nets. Their tournament run featured classic wins over Purdue and Auburn, as well as solidified the legacy of often criticized head coach Tony Bennett.
2. Invisible Man
Focus of Story: The Legacy of Mike Trout
Mike Trout might be the greatest baseball player in history. Ironically, most casual sports fans would struggle to pick him out of a crowded bar. Invisible Man tells the story of Trout’s quiet ascend to stardom. While using Trout as the main case, this story is more about the MLB’s decline in popularity among anything else. The documentary would detail how America’s past time quickly became the forgotten major sport. How can a player as transformative as Trout be unrecognizable? It’s a question baseball purists have asked for years.
Whether they admit it or not, the MLB struggles to make their best players marketable. The clinging to the unwritten rules of the sport hinder the ability to attract younger audiences. Pace of play remains a hot topic as well. Trout’s story makes him the poster boy for what baseball must correct to regain mass popularity.
1. March 11th, 2020
Focus of Story: COVID-19 and Sports
The inevitable. There are so many angles that directors will be able to view the impact of Covid on the sporting world from. One interesting way to do so, could be in the same style as another popular “30 for 30” that already exists. June 17th, 1994 details everything happening in the sporting world on the day of the OJ Simpson car chase. March 11th will go down as the single day where coronavirus really started to impact the United States, making it a fitting option for this style of documentary. Covering all of the memorable moments of the day, this documentary takes a real-time look at the shut down of sports. Rudy Gobert’s positive test and the cancellation of college basketball conference tournaments would highlight the series.
There’s also great potential to turn this into a multi-episode docu-series. Later episodes, also named after dates, would focus on the impact of 2020 in general. From COVID-19 to Civil Rights, 2020 fully ended the notion that sports and politics don’t mix. A documentary on the topic would shatter ratings, and while we’ll have to wait for the saga to complete itself, no athlete, no team, no league is above the story that threatened to take it all away.