After Michael Jordan, it may be LeBron James’ turn. According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, ESPN is close to finalizing a deal for an exclusive docuseries centered on the final chapter of James’ career, with a format that inevitably draws comparisons to The Last Dance.
The agreement has not yet been finalized, but a source familiar with the negotiations said the two sides are “one yard away from the goal line”, suggesting an official announcement could come very soon.
The docuseries will go behind the scenes of LeBron James’ 76ers journey
The project would follow LeBron James throughout his new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that – barring any surprises – is expected to represent the final stop of his extraordinary NBA career.
A film crew would have behind-the-scenes access throughout the season, documenting practices, road trips, locker room moments, and life away from the spotlight. But that’s not all.
The production would also have access to an extensive archive of footage collected over the past two decades. Since his rookie season, the NBA has documented much of LeBron’s career, and the series is expected to include never-before-seen footage, offering an entirely new perspective on his journey.
Comparisons to Michael Jordan are inevitable
Comparisons to The Last Dance are unavoidable. The documentary series chronicling Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, released in 2020 during the pandemic, became a global phenomenon and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
While the filmmakers may choose a different storytelling approach, comparisons between the two most iconic players in modern basketball history are inevitable.
The biggest difference, however, lies in the historical context.
Jordan built much of his legacy in an era before social media, while LeBron James has lived every stage of his career in the public eye. From appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated at just 17 years old to the rise of the internet, smartphones, and social media, nearly every moment of his career has been documented in real time.
When will the docuseries be released?
Right now, no release date has been announced. The financial details of the agreement also remain confidential, and neither ESPN nor LeBron James’ representatives have commented on the reports.
Still, all signs point to the project moving forward, telling the story of what could be the final act of the four-time NBA champion’s legendary career in a production that is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sports documentaries of the coming years.