L.A. Lakers fans are about to have an embarrassment of riches by way of television series about their beloved basketball franchise. As if a star-studded Adam McKay (The Big Short, Vice) produced biographical series and nine-part Hulu docuseries ala The Last Dance were not enough, Friday brought the announcement that Netflix has ordered comedy about the team straight-to-series. According to Variety, the series will specifically focus on “the front office of the Los Angeles Lakers,” and will be showrun by writer Elaine Ko (Modern Family) and executive produced by Mindy Kaling (The Office, The Mindy Project).
Variety further describes the yet-to-be titled sports comedy as “a series […] inspired by the personal and professional dynamic between the [Lakers’] family owners and front office team that together run one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports.” While the series protagonist, Eliza Reed, is a fictional character, its unclear whether real players, coaches, owners or commentators will appear in the series.
Laker’s president Jeanie Buss and Lakers executive director Linda Rambis will executive produce and consult on the series alongside Kaling, via Variety. According to Yahoo Sports, Buss has her hand in every current Laker’s television series – the team President will serve as executive producer on the Hulu docuseries and will be portrayed by Hadley Robinson (Moxie) in the HBO drama series.
What sets Netflix series apart from the other Lakers’ series is the focus on female characters and thus women’s roles in men’s professional sports. The news of the series arrives at an interesting juncture for the NBA, as rumors swirl that the league might be on the precipice of hiring its first ever female head-coach, via Yahoo Sports.
Kaling shared her excitement about the upcoming Lakers’ comedy and the women who will be helping bring it to life in a Twitter post on Friday. Variety notes that this series “expands Kaling’s relationship with Netflix,” with the news breaking the very day that the trailer dropped for the second season of her coming-of-age series Never Have I Ever.
None of the three upcoming Lakers series have been given titles yet, though they each occupy a unique space in terms of genre. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals dreams have been dashed this season, but fans of the team have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.