Jordan NBA documentary finished early for April debut

A 10-part documentary series on retired NBA legend Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty has been finished early for an April release to US and worldwide audiences, presenters announced on Tuesday.

"The Last Dance" originally was expected to debut in early June alongside the start of the 2020 NBA Finals before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has shut down sports leagues, but now will start April 19 on ESPN.

"April 19th can't come fast enough. I CAN NOT WAIT!! Yessir!" four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James tweeted on Tuesday.

James, who sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to the Western Conference lead when the season was halted, was among those who pushed for a launch while much of the United States is quarantined at home without live sports events to watch on TV.

The documentary will be available outside the United States on Netflix on five consecutive Mondays starting 20 April, in each case one day later than its US premiere on ESPN.

"Michael Jordan and the '90s Bulls weren't just sports superstars, they were a global phenomenon," director Jason Hehir said.

"Making 'The Last Dance' was an incredible opportunity to explore the extraordinary impact of one man and one team."

The production features footage by an NBA Entertainment film crew that was given permission by Jordan, coach Phil Jackson and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf to follow the team all season during the 1997-98 campaign as the team chased a sixth title in eight seasons.

"As society navigates this time without live sports, viewers are still looking to the sports world to escape and enjoy a collective experience," ESPN said in a statement.

"We've heard the calls from fans asking us to move up the release date for this series, and we're happy to announce that we've been able to accelerate the production schedule to do just that."

April 19th can’t come fast enough. I CAN NOT WAIT!! ??Yessir!?? #LastDance

— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 31, 2020

Breaking: ESPN is moving up its highly-anticipated Michael Jordan documentary "The Last Dance" to April, per @AndrewMarchand pic.twitter.com/AxHqcYicmg

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 31, 2020