A year has passed since Omaha Productions, led by the renowned former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, concluded its work on “Quarterback,” a gripping Netflix series that offered an insider’s view into the lives of Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota during an NFL season. However, Manning’s interests extended beyond football. He found himself engrossed in women’s basketball, a passion ignited during his college days at Tennessee through his friendship with Pat Summit. His attention was particularly captured by Caitlin Clark, the Iowa star making waves in the NCAA tournament. Manning watched as Clark led Iowa to a stunning victory over South Carolina in a thrilling Final Four match, only to face defeat in a high-octane final against Angel Reese and LSU. This experience led Manning to ponder the potential for a behind-the-scenes series that would shine a spotlight on women’s basketball, similar to the access provided in “Quarterback.”
A few months later, Manning reached out to Clark via Zoom, proposing an idea to document her potentially historic senior season. Clark, along with Kamilla Cardoso from South Carolina and UCLA’s Kiki Rice, agreed to the project. The result is “Full Court Press,” a four-episode docuseries set to premiere on ABC on May 11 and 12, before becoming available on ESPN Plus.
“Full Court Press” not only highlights Clark’s exceptional talent, which has seen her become the all-time leading scorer in college basketball this season, but also underscores the increasing popularity and recognition of women’s college basketball. Ticket prices soared whenever Clark played, and her performances helped draw larger TV audiences than some men’s games on Fox this season. This surge in interest is mirrored by a significant new TV contract for the women’s NCAA tournament with ESPN, valued at $65 million per year, and rising viewership for the WNBA.
The series offers an intimate look into the lives of its stars, following them through practices, major games, and personal moments off the court. It captures the journey of Cardoso, a Brazilian native, through South Carolina’s second consecutive undefeated regular season and the team’s quest to overcome the previous year’s Final Four disappointment. It also follows Rice, a sophomore point guard from UCLA, as she navigates the challenges of college basketball while competing against other rising stars like USC’s Juju Watkins. Additionally, the series documents Clark’s record-breaking season and the immense attention it attracted.
The popularity of docuseries has soared in recent years, with “The Last Dance,” a documentary about Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, and “Drive to Survive,” a behind-the-scenes look at Formula 1, leading the way. “Full Court Press” represents Omaha’s latest venture into this genre, following the success of “Quarterback.” The company is also reportedly working on an NBA-themed version for Netflix featuring LeBron James and Jimmy Butler.
Manning emphasized the importance of trust and player priority in the creation of “Full Court Press.” He shared that the players involved had editorial input, though not final cut, and highlighted the collaborative nature of the project. The series aims to provide a positive portrayal of its subjects, offering them a lasting memento of their experiences.
Omaha Productions, named after Manning’s iconic audible call, was founded in 2020 with the involvement of former ESPN and Fox Sports executive Jamie Horowitz and agent Josh Pyatt from William Morris Endeavor. “Full Court Press” was produced in collaboration with Words + Pictures, a company launched by former ESPN executive Connor Schell, with both companies benefiting from investments by Peter Chernin’s media firm.
ESPN’s vice president of original content, Brian Lockhart, acknowledged the significance of women’s basketball to the network and the broader sports landscape, highlighting the series’ premiere on ABC as a testament to its importance. Manning, who has maintained communication with Clark throughout the season, expressed his hope for the success of the series’ stars, despite knowing that not all can win a national championship. His support for each athlete underscores the series’ overarching theme of celebrating the achievements and challenges of women’s college basketball.