Critically-acclaimed film series returns for a second season

ESPN Films, creators of the Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning 30 for 30 film series, has announced the schedule for the new slate of films in its 30 for 30 series, presented by Buick Verano. The series kicks off with Broke on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. on ESPN/ESPNHD and will air on consecutive Tuesday nights in October, concluding the 2012 run with one film airing in December after the Heisman Trophy Presentation. The 30 for 30 documentaries airing this fall are: Broke, 9.79*, There’s No Place Like Home, Benji, Ghosts of Ole Miss, and You Don’t Know Bo.

The fall slate will air as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 8 p.m. – Broke (Billy Corben)

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m. – 9.79* (Daniel Gordon)

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 8 pm. – There’s No Place Like Home (Maura Mandt and Josh Swade)

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m. – Benji (Coodie and Chike)

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m. – Ghosts of Ole Miss (Fritz Mitchell)

Saturday, Dec. 8, 9 p.m. – You Don’t Know Bo (Michael Bonfiglio)

“When we launched ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 series in 2009, it quickly became synonymous with long-form, quality sports storytelling and gave us the opportunity to showcase compelling stories through the eyes of incredibly talented filmmakers,” said Connor Schell, vice president of ESPN Films. “Our intention with the upcoming slate of films is to feature stories that reflect the powerful impact that sports can make across the cultural landscape and get to the core of why sports matter. We will continue to tell these stories in innovative ways.”

Film summaries:

Broke (Billy Corben)

Broke explores the roads to fortune in American sports and eventually, the many detours to bankruptcy. Bernie Kosar, Andre Rison and Cliff Floyd are among the athletes who talk openly about the challenges of managing their money in an era when big contracts don’t necessarily support bigger lifestyles. Sucked into bad investments, stalked by freeloaders and saddled with medical problems, many pro athletes get shocked by harsh economic realities after years of living the high life. A story of the dark side of success, Broke is an allegory for the financial woes haunting economies and individuals all over the world.

9.79* (Daniel Gordon) 2012 Toronto International Film Festival Selection

The 100-meter men’s final at the 1988 Seoul Games was the fastest and perhaps most thrilling sprint in Olympic history. But within 48 hours, gold medalist Ben Johnson had tested positive for anabolic steroids, and scandal reigned. This one race still haunts the eight men who took part. But what brought them to the starting line? And what happened to them since?

There’s No Place Like Home (Maura Mandt and Josh Swade)

On December 10, 2010, Sotheby’s auctioned off the most important historical document in sports history—James Naismith’s original rules of basketball. There’s No Place Like Home is the story of one fan’s obsessive quest to win this seminal American artifact at auction and bring the rules “home” to Lawrence, Kansas, where Naismith coached and taught for more than 40 years.

Benji (Coodie and Chike)

In 1984, 17-year-old Ben Wilson was a symbol of everything promising about Chicago: a beloved, sweet-natured youngster from the city’s fabled South Side, and America’s most talented basketball prospect. His senseless murder the day before his senior season sent ripples through Chicago and the nation.

Ghosts of Ole Miss (Fritz Mitchell)

In 1962, the University of Mississippi campus erupted in violence over integration and swelled with pride over an unbeaten football team. Mississippi native Wright Thompson explores the tumultuous events that continue to shape the state 50 years later.

You Don’t Know Bo (Michael Bonfiglio)

Bo Jackson hit 500 ft. home runs, ran over linebackers, and—for a small window—he was the best athlete we had ever seen. You Don’t Know Bo is a close look at the man and marketing campaign that shaped his legacy. Even without winning a Super Bowl or World Series, Bo redefined the role of the athlete in the pop cultural conversation. More than 20 years later, myths and legends still surround Bo Jackson, and his impossible feats still capture our collective imagination.

Each 30 for 30 film will be available on iTunes the day after its broadcast premiere. A collectible DVD Gift Set including all six films will be available at major retailers in-store and online on December 11, 2012.

About ESPN Films

Created in March 2008, ESPN Films produces high-quality films showcasing compelling sports stories. In October 2009, ESPN Films launched the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated 30 for 30 film series. Inspired by ESPN’s 30th Anniversary, the films that made up the series were a thoughtful and innovative reflection on the past three decades told through the lens of diverse and interesting sports fans and social commentators. Additional projects from ESPN Films include, among others, the critically acclaimed and Television Academy Honor-winning 16th Man, Cannes Film Festival official selection The Two Escobars, and the Peabody Award-winning Black Magic. More recent projects include Catching Hell, from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, and The Announcement, from filmmaker Nelson George.

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