The Boston Red Sox are about to make history as the first Major League Baseball (MLB) team to be featured in a Netflix documentary series.
Announced on Wednesday, the Red Sox will allow complete access to Netflix crews throughout their 2024 season, giving fans an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at their favorite team.
The multi-part series is expected to be released in 2025, coinciding with the upcoming baseball season.
Throughout the 162-game regular season and potentially into the postseason, the documentary crew will have access to players, coaching staff, and front-office personnel.
Red Sox executive vice president and chief marketing officer Adam Grossman explained that discussions between MLB, Netflix, and the Red Sox began over three years ago, initially focusing on growing baseball's fanbase through Netflix's global platform.
It wasn’t specific to the Red Sox. But just sort of the importance for this growing platform for sports fans
Adam Grossman, Red Sox Executive VP and CMO
This partnership marks Netflix's latest venture into the world of sports documentaries, following successful series on Formula 1 racing, golf, tennis, and other sports.
The Red Sox and Netflix Collaboration
In recent months, the project shifted to focus specifically on the Red Sox as a test case for documenting an entire season.
The team's cooperation was crucial to the series green light, with approximately 10 players initially meeting with Netflix producers and prospective director Greg Whiteley in April 2023.
MLB Players Association approval was also necessary, with Red Sox player representative Nick Pivetta serving as a key liaison between the organization and the league. Although the series will not produce revenue for the team or its players, Grossman believes it offers significant potential to attract new fans and maintain the interest of existing ones.
However, there are concerns about potential distractions for the team during the season and how invasive the documentary crew might be.
The Red Sox's front office emphasizes that they will not have final-cut privileges over the footage or editorial control.
Manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow are confident that the presence of the documentarians will not hinder their team's performance.
Documenting a Team in Transition
The Red Sox have faced criticism following two consecutive last-place finishes, but they view this documentary as an opportunity to showcase the hard work and dedication behind the scenes during their rebuilding process.
Fans can expect a blend of game footage, interviews with players and team personnel, and behind-the-scenes moments. The documentary crew will follow the team both at Fenway Park and on the road, providing a comprehensive look at the 2024 Red Sox season.
Netflix's entry into MLB territory is expected to generate excitement among fans and potentially attract viewers who may not be traditionally interested in baseball.
A Look Back at the Past
Additionally, Netflix will produce a separate documentary on the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Red Sox team, which ended Boston's 86-year World Series championship drought.
This project includes exclusive interviews with key players and personnel from that legendary squad, offering fans an in-depth look at one of baseball's most iconic moments. Both documentaries will provide unique insights into the game, both on and off the field, appealing to a wide range of baseball enthusiasts.
This partnership between MLB and Netflix signifies a new era in sports storytelling, with the potential for additional collaborations between the streaming giant and various leagues and teams.
It's an exciting time for fans as they will have even more opportunities to engage with their favorite teams and players through captivating documentaries. Netflix's commitment to sports coverage continues to expand, promising viewers unparalleled access to the world of sports.
