Fremantle taps Masai Ujiri as Executive Producer for its new basket doc

The executive will make his contributions to the Fremantle and Passenger production, which tells the story of the launch and inaugural season of the BAL.

28 OCT 2021

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Fremantle has appointed Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri to conribute to the new landmark documentary series on the recently-launched Basketball Africa League (BAL) as an Executive Producer.“The very first time I was introduced to this project, I knew that I had to be a part of it.  As a young boy, I could have never imagined a professional basketball league, with opportunities for Africans both on and off the court, in my own backyard," Executive Producer, Masai Ujiri, said.   

Fremantle & Passenger are producing the series, which showcases the launch and inaugural season of the BAL, a new professional basketball league in Africa featuring 12 club teams from across the African continent. Ujiri, who was the architect behind the Raptors’ historic 2019 NBA Championship, will serve as an Executive Producer on the series, which is being directed by up-and-coming South African director Tebogo Malope.  

The BAL, a partnership between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America.  The first BAL Finals was held on Sunday, May 30, where Zamalek were crowned champions. Housed at Fremantle and made exclusively in partnership with the BAL, the documentary series forms part of Fremantle’s exclusive multiyear deal with Brown’s production company, Passenger. "The inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League marked a special event in the history of sports in Africa and I’m honored to help showcase the unique journey that has brought us to this moment in time," Ujiri said.

Working alongside Showrunner and Executive Producer Richard Brown, as well as Executive Producers Fisher Stevens and Akin Omotoso. Ujiri will help tell the stories of the many fascinating cultures, characters, and personalities across Africa in the context of this inspiring new basketball league, which aspires to transform the professional sports ecosystem throughout the African continent.

The landmark documentary series will follow the stories of the players, coaches, and teams from across Africa as they prepare for and compete in the first BAL season.  This powerful series will spotlight the momentum and ambition behind the pan-African basketball league and the individuals who have worked tirelessly to change the landscape of sports on the continent through this historic initiative.

In addition, BAFTA and EMMY award winning editor Andy Worboys has joined the project as lead editor, along with archive producer Paul Bell.“In the early stages of putting this series together we met Masai, and it was immediately apparent that he would be the ideal partner on this project," Executive Producer, Richard Brown, said. "Going from young player in Nigeria to an inspirational leader in the NBA and a visionary architect of the future of sports in Africa he embodies the aspirations behind the story we are telling.  We’re thrilled that he has come on board; his knowledge, ideas and insights are invaluable.”

The very first time I was introduced to this project, I knew that I had to be a part of it.  As a young boy, I could have never imagined a professional basketball league, with opportunities for Africans both on and off the court, in my own backyard.” Masai Ujiri Executive Producer,