ESPN Films today announced a new digital documentary project, ESPN Films Announces New Project DAVID ORTIZ: THE LAST WALK OFF that will chronicle highlights from Ortiz's final season with the Boston Red Sox. Directed by Gotham Chopra (director of ESPN Films' "The Little Master"), the series is comprised of four short features and one half hour special that will focus on Ortiz's reflections as he walks away from the game he loves. Spread across the 2016 MLB season, the features will chronicle moments throughout the last season of Ortiz's iconic MLB career. "David Ortiz: The Last Walk Off" will capture the raw, honest and intense moments of one of the most charismatic and beloved athletes ever to play in Boston.
Chopra commented: "As a Boston native, my 12-year-old self is in disbelief that I am now working with
ESPN Films and alongside a Red Sox all-time great. David's willingness to open up his life on and off the field during this incredibly transitional moment for him, along with ESPN's continued effort to break new ground in documentary storytelling, is exciting for me. It's why I love sports and why I think the stories within them transcend just what happens on the field."
The first feature was previewed on Sunday's 10 a.m. ET
SPORTSCENTER and is currently available digitally on ESPN.com, the WatchESPN app, and via
30 FOR 30 social platforms. Additional shorts will debut throughout the baseball season and the final 30-minute special will premiere both digitally and on
ESPN just after the season as Big Papi begins
LIFE AFTER baseball and reflects on his final season.
"I am happy to launch this project with
ESPN Films as it allows me to reach my fans all over the world, and to share the end of my career with them in a meaningful way," said Ortiz.
"David Ortiz - The Last Walk Off" is produced in conjunction with the newly formed Big Papi Productions. David Ortiz and his longtime marketing agent and manager Alex Radetsky serve as executive producers on the project.
Chopra is a filmmaker, author, and entrepreneur. His recent documentary on NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, "Kobe Bryant's Muse," was the highest performing sports documentary ever on Showtime. He also directed a feature documentary for
ESPN Films on Indian cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar called "The Little Master." His award-winning 2012 documentary "Decoding Deepak" about his father Deepak Chopra premiered at SXSW and is now available on Netflix. His film "I am Giant" on the NY Giants' Victor Cruz aired in October 2015 on Showtime. Prior to his feature doc work, Gotham was an award-winning journalist reporting from countless warzones and interviewing a wide range of Global leaders - from President Clinton to the His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Gotham's varied experience in journalism, publishing, and entertainment had him identified by Newsweek as one of the "most powerful and influential" South Asians worth watching.
About
ESPN Films Created in March 2008,
ESPN Films produces high-quality documentary films showcasing some of the most compelling stories in sports. In October 2009,
ESPN Films launched the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning
30 FOR 30 film series. Additional projects from
ESPN Films include the decorated series
30 FOR 30 Shorts,
NINE FOR IX and
SEC STORIED among others.
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