Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series first for ESPN
The Last Dance, an ESPN and Netflix documentary series narrating the journey of NBA legend Michael Jordan and the 90s Chicago Bulls dynasty, bagged an Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series Saturday.
The 10-episode series, directed by Jason Hehir, detailed Jordan's legacy with the Bulls, before during and after their six NBA titles from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998.
The documentary, a Mandalay Sports Media Production in association with NBA, highlighted Chicago's final title run in 1997-1998 season, with then multi-titled head coach Phil Jackson calling the shots.
"The Last Dance" title was also in reference to Jackson's coined campaign as the Bulls management decides to rehaul the team.
The series, which also featured Bulls great Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, among others, ruled over Netflix's Tiger King, Hulu's Hillary, PBS' American Masters and HBO's MicMillion$, marking ESPN's first Emmy win in the category.
"Thank you to Michael Jordan himself for giving us his time, his honesty and his candor and the other 105 people who sat down and gave their time and their honesty to make the story what it was," Hehir said.
"I hope we brought a little bit of brightness to a dark and difficult year and I hope you all stay safe and be well."
The Last Dance was originally scheduled to air during the NBA Finals set in June, but was released two months earlier -- from April 19 to May 17 exactly -- to fill the void of the sports calendar amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Jordan had vowed to donate all his entire share of the proceeds to charitable causes, which reportedly should reach at least $3 to $4 million.
Together with six NBA championships, Jordan has added another accolade in his resume by helping the sports giant network win an Emmy Award.
Per ESPN, The Last Dance became the most-watched documentary series of the network, averaging 5.6 million viewers throughout its run.