It may feel like weeks ago, but it was just Thursday that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James appeared on Richard Jefferson’s and Channing Frye’s Road Trippin’ and suggested ESPN move up the release date of the Michael Jordan “The Last Dance” documentary.
“I’m telling you, if they released that thing right now, the views?” James said. “Listen, if I’m Michael Jordan, I’m going in there and I’m making a conference call and I’m like, ‘OK, what’s the reason we gonna hold onto it until June now? Compared to now, when everybody is at home.'”
When the King speaks, the networks listen.
There may be no NBA this April, but fans will get to relive the Chicago Bulls dynasty and the 1997-98 season.
ESPN announced Tuesday it is moving up the release date of “The Last Dance” documentary from June to April.
“As society navigates this time without live sports, viewers are still looking to the sports world to escape and enjoy a collective experience,” ESPN said in a statement.
“We’ve heard the calls from fans asking us to move up the release date for this series, and we’re happy to announce that we’ve been able to accelerate the production schedule to do just that. This project celebrates one of the greatest players and dynasties ever, and we hope it can serve as a unifying entertainment experience to fill the role that sports often play in our lives, telling a story that will captivate everyone, not just sports fans.”
On Twitter, SportsCenter posted a video with fans calling for an early release — and it opened with an edited version of the Road Trippin’ clip with James and Jefferson talking about the idea.
Sometimes, all you gotta do is ask 🤝#TheLastDance | April 19 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/E80wa2Eq02
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 31, 2020
In the Road Trippin’ segment, Jefferson questioned why they were holding off the release when the documentary was complete.
“It’s done, it’s been done,” Jefferson said. “ESPN — I know I don’t want to get fired — but release that (expletive)”
In part due to the result of James, Jefferson and many, many fans over social media calling for it, ESPN is.
The 10-part series is scheduled to begin April 19.