Showtime has ordered a three-part documentary series about the changing role of athletes in the current political environment, according to Variety.
LeBron James will be the executive producer of “Shut up and Dribble,” a documentary about the correlation between athletics and institutional racism as well as politics. The series will chronicle the modern era of the NBA from 1976 until 2018.
James has spent the past week embroiled in a social media war with President Trump who blasted James’ appearance on CNN with Don Lemon last weekend. During the interview with Lemon, LeBron said that President Trump has been using sports to divide us rather than unite people.
James has been a vocal opponent of President Trump since he took office. As one of the most influential and community-minded athletes in the world, James has taken exception to Trump’s constant assault on NFL players who chose to kneel during the National Anthem as well as the way Trump ostracized the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors to the point that he rescinded their invitation to the White House.
James will team with his longtime associates Rich Paul and Maverick Carter as they bring to Showtime what could be a controversial and racially charged documentary.
“If being a star athlete is inherently a political experience, ‘Shut up and Dribble’ tells that complex and dramatic story from the past to the present and from the inside out,” said Showtime President and CEO David Nevins.
In 1976 the NBA merged with the fledgling pro basketball league, the ABA, creating the league that fans know and love today.
However, the common perception of the NBA in the late 70’s was that the league was too black, too drug infested and that the players were lazy and aloof.
Recently, Fox News host Laura Ingraham said that LeBron James and other athletes like him should just shut up and dribble (thus the title of the documentary). The modern perception of people like Ingaham and President Trump is that the athletes should know their place out on the field and not delve into matters outside of sports.
