ESPN+ to Launch with Exclusive 30 for 30 Documentary “The Last Days of Knight” and Full 30 for 30 Library

ESPN FilmsESPN+

ESPN+ to Launch with Exclusive 30 for 30 Documentary “The Last Days of Knight” and Full 30 for 30 Library

  • Film directed by Robert Abbott debuts April 12, with launch of direct-to-consumer streaming service
  • ESPN+ will also be the exclusive home of the entire 30 for 30 library

ESPN’s latest installment in the acclaimed 30 for 30 documentary series, “The Last Days of Knight,” will be the first film in the award-winning series to appear exclusively on ESPN+, the upcoming direct-to-consumer sports streaming service. “The Last Days of Knight” is the previously untold behind-the-scenes story of CNN’s investigation into why high school All-Americans were leaving Indiana University men’s basketball coach Bob Knight’s program, and the subsequent fallout after the story broke. Trailer: https://es.pn/2GymLoQ

“The Last Days of Knight” will be joined on ESPN+ by the entire archive of 30 for 30 films, more than 100 in total. ESPN+ will be the only platform where fans can access the full library. (See the entire list of 30 For 30 Films here)

“The launch of ESPN+ gives us an exciting new opportunity to bring an even greater offering of high-quality content like this to sports fans,” said Connor Schell, Executive Vice President, Content, ESPN. “With its debut, ‘The Last Days of Knight’ also joins the incredible library of 30 for 30 films, which will now all be available to viewers to watch anytime on any device they choose.”

“The Last Days of Knight” is directed and narrated by Robert Abbott, the producer at CNN who first began investigating the story back in 1999. Until that time, Knight was seen as a basketball god at IU, delivering three national titles to a state that worships the game and earning a reputation as not just a basketball genius but also a brilliant leader who equated hard work and discipline with success. And yet, there was another side to that success that was about to be exposed.

“The Last Days of Knight” explores the investigation and all it produced – a chronicle of accusations, denials, and discoveries; riots and death threats; a smoking gun video; and the fall of a coaching legend. Ultimately, it’s a tale about success, power, abuse, institutions, journalism, and ultimately, a search for truth.

“As I dug through my old reporters’ notebooks and research, and began to take viewers on the journalistic journey that my boss Steve Robinson started me on 19 years ago, I was amazed at how much of the story had never been told before,” said director Robert Abbott. “Bob Knight was an extraordinary coach, a giant in the sport, and a hero in Indiana. ‘The Last Days of Knight’ describes in detail how and why Knight’s storied career at Indiana ended the way it did. It also finally tells the story of why Neil Reed went public with me, and how that decision changed his life.”

Added John Dahl, Vice President & Executive Producer, ESPN Films and Original Content, “Working with Robert to tell his story of the Knight investigation, which had never been told until now, has been tremendous. He is an exemplary journalist and by agreeing to open himself up the way he does, we’ve been able to create a film that gives viewers an inside perspective at a search for truth.”

In addition to “The Last Days of Knight,” ESPN Films is developing other projects and docuseries for ESPN+.

About ESPN Films

ESPN Films has been an industry leader in documentary filmmaking since its inception in March 2008, producing more than 100 documentaries that have showcased some of the most compelling stories in sports. The high quality of storytelling, highlighted by the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning 30 for 30 series and the Academy-Award winning documentary “O.J.: Made in America,” has led to record viewership as well as multiple honors and critical acclaim. Additional projects from ESPN Films over the years have included 30 for 30 ShortsNine for IX and the SEC Storied series.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ will be the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International in partnership with ESPN and featuring ESPN branded content. It will offer fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA Tour golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or a discounted annual price of $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

Launching April 12, ESPN+ will be an integrated part of a completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App will be the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App will curate all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ will also be available through ESPN.com.

 

-30-

Jennifer Cingari Christie

Based in New York City, Jennifer Cingari Christie is a Communications Manager for ESPN Films and Original Content. Her projects include the critically-acclaimed 30 for 30 documentary series, ESPN The Magazine and The ESPYS, among others.
Back to top button