It’s not too often we cover the happenings over at Disney XD in these parts, but this is the rare exception.  LeBron James will be an executive producer for a show on the network entitled “Becoming” centering on the journeys of professional athletes to the top of their sport.  The series will of course feature James in the first episode.

James and Maverick Carter’s production company Springhill Production Company will be involved in the production of the series in partnership with ESPN Films.  Now that’s quite the interesting combination, is it not?

Here’s the glowing press release announcement with quotes from all the parties involved:

Worldwide basketball star LeBron James and business partner Maverick Carter are set to executive produce ESPN Films’ and Disney XD’s new special “Becoming,” a half-hour show for kids and families profiling the inspirational journeys of today’s top athletes. “Becoming” will debut SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD and is in development for an ongoing series. Produced in association with ESPN Films and LeBron James’ Springhill Production Company, the pilot will tell the story of the NBA champion’s trajectory to the top and reflect the spirit of his accomplishments, including some of the most defining and triumphant moments of his life.

“I’m really excited about helping develop ‘Becoming’ and bringing this kind of program to kids,” said LeBron James. “Sports and athletes were my inspiration growing up. It was the stories about Michael Jordan, Deion Sanders, and Allen Iverson that kept me dreaming. When I learned that they had some of the same struggles and challenges I did, it made everything seem possible. That’s what ‘Becoming’ is all about.” 

“This is a very exciting project for Springhill Production Company,” said Maverick Carter, co-founder and partner of Springhill Production Company. “We are looking at a variety of projects and this was an obvious choice. It’s so true to the type of content for kids we want to do. ESPN Films understands how to bring sports stories alive. We do a lot of work with different projects focusing on kids, and the demand for programming like this is obvious.”

Marc Buhaj, senior vice president, Programming and general manager, Disney XD said, “We’re thrilled to work alongside ESPN Films and LeBron James on ‘Becoming.’ This unique special gives our audience an inspiring and relatable look at one of America’s most beloved sports stars as LeBron shares his personal journey with Disney XD viewers.” 

“It is incredibly exciting to use our style of non-fiction storytelling to showcase LeBron’s extraordinary story,” said Connor Schell, vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films. “For an audience of kids everywhere, the tone of the show is meant to be aspirational and illustrate how much support and hard work goes into LeBron becoming who he is today.”

James has worked hand-in-hand with ESPN on a number of different projects in the past.  He’s had entire issues of ESPN The Magazine dedicated to him.  He’s had The Decision televised on their network.  This business venture with the Disney corporation is another project that brings James and ESPN closer together.

Rarely has a current athlete ever been so intrinsically linked from a business sense than LeBron James and ESPN.  As an athlete, James might as well be the electricity that makes Bristol keep the lights on.  There’s rarely a five minute stretch where James isn’t mentioned on ESPN television, radio, or ESPN.com.

A Disney show shouldn’t have an impact on whether the network can cover James fairly (keep in mind that ESPN employs Skip Bayless, who has made a career out of criticizing James), but the appearance of a relationship between the two will cause fans to be more skeptical of the special treatment ESPN gives LeBron James this season.

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