NBC Buss for hoops
Drama series to focus on Laker exec
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Peacock, which aired its last pro basketball game in 2002, has picked up the Pariah TV project loosely based on the life of Los Angeles Lakers exec VP Jeanie Buss.
The untitled drama will revolve around the real world of the National Basketball Assn., which is on board to help produce (Daily Variety, July 16). Script, from feature scribe Audrey Wells ("Under the Tuscan Sun"), shows what it's like to be a female executive in a male-dominated professional sports franchise.
Buss will exec produce, along with producing partner Linda Rambis, the wife of former Laker player and current team assistant coach Kurt Rambis. Pariah's Gavin Polone and Wells also will exec produce.
"We greatly anticipate rolling out the ball on this new series pilot that has appeal to both men and women," said NBC Entertainment prexy Jeff Zucker.
Polone said he has "more confidence" that the Buss project has game "than I think I have ever had at this stage of development."
"It is simply not possible to put together a more original, interesting and commercial package than Jeanie, Audrey and the NBA," he said.
Like Buss, the daughter of Lakers owner and sports magnate Jerry Buss, the main character will run day-to-day operations for the Lakers.
"Jeanie Buss is not only smart, beautiful and successful, but she happens to run one of the highest-profile franchises in all of sports," said NBA Entertainment prexy-chief operating officer Adam Silver. "It doesn't surprise us that her life would make for a compelling television drama."
NBC showcased the NBA for 12 years until ABC and ESPN snagged the league's broadcast rights in late 2001 for around $400 million annually.
