The Harlem Globetrotters team up with “The Fighter” producer Todd Lieberman for a film about the history of the legendary black basketball team

EXCLUSIVE: The Harlem Globetrotters and Todd Lieberman’s Hidden Pictures will produce a documentary about the history and impact of the legendary basketball team as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026.

Emmy Award-winning producer and filmmaker from ESPN Films and NFL Films, Kenan Kamwana Holley, will direct.

Founded in Chicago in 1926, the Harlem Globetrotters were the first all-black American basketball team, showcasing and capturing the spirit and talent of black athletes at a time when they were unfit to play professional team basketball. The documentary will highlight the players’ inspiring stories of overcoming adversity, paving the way for equality for people of color and breaking down barriers for female players through talking heads and archival footage. Players who have played for the team over the decades include Wilt Chamberlain, Lynette Woodard, “Wee” Willie Gardner, Marques Haynes, Fred “Curly” Neal and “Sweet Lou” Dunbar.

The project is produced by Oscar- and Emmy-winning producer Lieberman (The fighter, The application), former NBA coach and Basketball Hall of Famer George Karl of Truth+ Media, Kenan Kamwana Holley (Snoop and son) of Holley Films and president of Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios, Keith Dawkins and Bronwen O’Keefe.

Lieberman, Karl and Holley recently collaborated on the upcoming Amazon documentary series about the rise and fall of the American Basketball Association (ABA).

“No other American sports team has captured the hearts and minds of millions around the world like the Harlem Globetrotters,” Dawkins said. “The Globetrotters are world-class entertainers, consummate professionals, global goodwill ambassadors and the epitome of basketball innovation!” All this ensures that they will remain relevant for almost 100 years. We are thrilled to be able to tell this enduring and powerful story through our partnership with Hidden Pictures.”

“The Globetrotters are an iconic American brand known around the world. For me it is a beautiful childhood memory of an exciting Saturday afternoon with my father. As a boy I was fascinated by their mastery and magic, as millions of people around the world still are,” added Holley. “When I look behind the scenes of Globetrotter history, I see that a century of world-class athletes has evolved into world-class entertainers, sometimes organically and sometimes grudgingly. But always with the goal of making us laugh, even when the world outside the arena is filled with both joy and pain.”

“The team is honored to bring the iconic story of the Harlem Globetrotters to fans everywhere,” said Lieberman. “For nearly 100 years, their unique style of basketball has captivated audiences around the world, and now we can celebrate and acknowledge the journey they took to get here.”

“I love the Globetrotters and my kids have been to over 20 of their games! They bring joy and laughter to the game of basketball. Their story is a big part of the soul of the game,” said Karl. “Celebrating 100 years of basketball in front of millions of fans around the world is a moment to be honored. In many ways they have opened up the game I love to greater visibility and inclusion. Here’s to another 100 years: Keep serving and loving wildlife, Globetrotters!”

The Harlem Globetrotters kick off their 2024 world tour next month and will begin their international tour in the spring of 2024. Her Emmy-nominated NBC series, The Harlem Globetrotters: Play it forwardSeason two premieres in October, and her Telemundo series, The Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad, The first season started recently.