Hulu Adds Upcoming Los Angeles Lakers Docuseries to List of Original Content
Hulu recently announced that will be adding a 9-part docuseries about the famous Los Angeles Lakers to their list of Hulu Originals. The untitled series will come from director Antoine Fuqua (The Magnificent Seven) and Lakers CEO and controlling owner Jeanie Buss. Fans will be able to explore the last 40 years of Lakers history with the purchase of the team by the late Jerry Buss and features interviews from over 35 people in the organization. Fans will hear stories from Phil Jackson and Pat Riley who have coached the team as well as famous players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Starting from his acquisition of the team in 1979, the docuseries captures Jerry Buss’ remarkable journey to build, sustain and pass on a family-run sports empire. The project will offer a fresh and revealing look inside the legendary “Showtime” era that saw the team win five NBA titles and turned the Forum into Hollywood’s hottest ticket throughout the 1980s. The series also details the high-stakes drama off the court and incredible successes of the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal-led championship teams, as well as the cultural impact of the Lakers franchise and rebirth of the team, culminating with the 2020 NBA championship led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. At the heart is a story about sports, business and, most of all, family – and how those competing forces must be harnessed to achieve greatness.
Talking about the series, Buss said:
When Dr. Buss bought the Lakers in 1979, he sat alone at center court of the Forum and thought of all the possibilities. But even in his wildest dreams, my father could not have imagined what the next decades would bring for our organization, our league and our city of Los Angeles. I am thrilled that the true story of the Lakers will finally be shared with the world -- and that we are in such capable hands with Hulu and Antoine, a director whose storytelling I’ve admired for years.
Fuqua shared:
We are proud to bring this docuseries to the world and shed light on the legendary history of the Lakers. This expansive look into one of the greatest sports franchises of all time is a project we all feel deeply passionate about.
Belisa Balaban of Hulu added:
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of sports’ most illustrious franchises. Theirs is a history of epic highs and tragic lows, and generations of legendary players and teams who have made a profound impact, not just on the sports world, but on the culture. We are honored to join Jeanie, Antoine and the whole creative team to bring Hulu viewers the very real inside look at the remarkable story of the rise and fall, and rise again of the Lakers.
Fans will be able to enjoy the upcoming Lakers docuseries in 2022.