HBO’s Terry Bradshaw: Going Deep documentary debuts Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. ET. The one-hour, 15-minute film combines footage from the Hall of Fame quarterback’s stage show in Branson, Missouri (with personal stories and monologues, in addition to singing and music), archival clips from his football career, and an all-new interview.
Some potential viewers might be wary of the Fox NFL Sunday analyst singing in that stage show (though he’s recorded four country albums and one gospel record), and that will distinguish Going Deep from conventional sports documentaries like previous Bradshaw chronicles in ESPN’s SportsCentury and NFL Network’s A Football Life series.
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Keith Cossrow, the documentary also includes NFL Films footage from Bradshaw’s career and an on-camera conversation with him. Both can be seen in a clip from Going Deep released by HBO on Friday. In this video, Bradshaw looks back at being selected No. 1 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970 NFL Draft.
“How did I get to be the first pick in the draft? I don’t wanna be the first pick in the draft,” Bradshaw recalls in the clip. “Looking back on it now, I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s kinda cool.’ But really and truthfully, I shouldn’t have been. I went to this small school and was so immature, so much to learn.”
Bradshaw started two seasons at Louisiana Tech, compiling 2,890 yards as a junior and 2,314 yards in his senior season. The Bulldogs went 17-4 with Bradshaw at quarterback. He went on to a legendary career with the Steelers, winning four Super Bowl championships, throwing for 27,989 yards and 212 touchdowns in 14 seasons.
Terry Bradshaw: Going Deep premieres Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO (in addition to replays on HBO channels and on-demand) and streaming on HBO Max. You can view the trailer here.
Ian Casselberry is a sports media columnist for BSM. He has previously written and edited for Awful Announcing, The Comeback, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation. You can find him on Twitter @iancass or reach him by email at iancass@gmail.com.
Many in sports media have respect for former NFL punter Pat McAfee for what he has accomplished in his media endeavors, and you can add FanDuel TV host Kay Adams to that list.
“I’m just blown away by the success and by the leverage he has,” Adams said on the My Other Passion podcast. “It is uncanny, it is aspirational, and it is self-made, so it is a beautiful thing. I — of course — watch what he does. I don’t want to be just like him but I do think he is so disruptive.
“He has such a chip on his shoulder. It drives him but I almost wish I could see it relieved a little bit. He’s thriving, he’s happy, and I think the thing that sticks out to me about him is that he’s truly grateful. Truly is grateful for everything he has, his opportunities. He’s worked his ass off for it.”
Adams pointed to McAfee’s recent spat with the NFL over use of the league’s logos as an indicator of not only his success but his influence in the sports landscape.
“He is true to himself but he mostly leads with gratitude, which I think is the epitome of success. But he’s out there show you what can be done. He’s the first, but will he be the last to have that sort of platform? That sort of swing? What he does with the NFL the other week, I’m paying attention to that.
“Because I wanna see: is the NFL gonna bend the knee to Pat McAfee? Does the NFL care what he says? But it’s interesting because he’s built himself to such a place that he does not need anyone and that is the dream.”
The NFL did eventually “bend the knee” and reversed course on limiting McAfee’s use of league trademarks.
Skipper pointed to Iger’s relationships with powerbrokers in the sports world as a positive, and also believes that the “streaming wars” will be won by those who hold the rights to live sports.
“As a moat, to get the pay-TV fees and to get people to pay more money to subscribe,” Skipper pointed to Sportico as the reason for ESPN to still have an agreement with the NBA for linear TV. He later added “If you’re going to win the streaming wars, you’re going to have to have sports.”
Skipper also said the network used to invest in constant studio programming but said that’s no longer a necessity.
“We did that type of programming because the economics were different at the time,” Skipper said.
Lenny Daniels is leaving Warner Bros. Discovery after 27 years with the company.
Daniels is the President of the company’s sports division in the United States, overseeing the contracts and strategic vision for the organization.
In a memo sent to staff obtained by Sports Business Journal, CEO Luis Silberwasser said “While this change will take place right away, Lenny has agreed to work with me to ensure a smooth transition.” He also added “I have enjoyed working with Lenny during these past few months and I respect his decision. Lenny has never been one to place a spotlight on himself; he’s always been quick to shine it on those around him. His enthusiasm and light-hearted demeanor are among his most endearing qualities, and they will be missed.”
The departure by Daniels coincides with a round of layoffs by the company and also the beginning of long-term agreements with the NHL and MLB. The network is also about to embark on negotiations with the NBA for its next media rights deal, with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and President David Zaslav recently saying “we don’t have to have the NBA“.
