ESPN's 30 FOR 30 Concludes with 'The U Part 2', 12/13

The next installment in ESPN Films' 30 FOR 30 series will also be the first sequel. "The U Part 2," directed by Billy Corben, will premiere on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 9 p.m. ET after the Heisman Trophy presentation on ESPN. "The U," which took a look at all that was good and bad about the rise of the University of Miami's football program in the '80s, debuted five years ago as part of 30 for 30's first season and quickly became one of the most talked-about documentaries in the series.

But that wasn't the end of the story. "The U Part 2? picks up where the original film left off, with the program trying to recover from the devastation left by NCAA sanctions and scandals that had some calling for the school to drop football. The Hurricanes rose from those ashes to win another national championship, only to face a new controversy when a booster, who made his fortune through a Ponzi scheme, won favor with the program.

"While 'The U' (part 1) covered the '80s, we never got to tell the incredible story of the greatest COLLEGE FOOTBALL team of all time: the 2001 Miami Hurricanes," says director Billy Corben. "Bookended by scandal, NCAA investigations and sanctions, we couldn't resist the opportunity to tell this new rise and fall story that picks the saga up right where we left off in 'The U.' I'm also flattered to be a part of the first-ever 30 FOR 30 sequel and looking forward to 'The Three Escobars,' 'June 18, 1994' and 'Pony Exce$$ive!'"

"'The U' was one of the most electric films of the first season of 30 for 30," says Connor Schell, vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films and Original Programming. "Five years later, we feel a sequel is warranted, telling a fresh story with new characters in the same fast-paced, engaging style that defined the original."

Film Trailer: http://bit.ly/15MsdBM

Film Teaser: http://bit.ly/1tuRG7I

Review copies available upon request.

Additional information including film clips and director statements and bios will be available on the 30 FOR 30 website espn.com/30for30; Follow 30 FOR 30 on Facebook (facebook.com/espn30for30) and Twitter (@30for30).

About ESPN Films

Created in March 2008, ESPN Films produces high-quality films showcasing some of the most compelling stories in sports. In October 2009, ESPN Films launched the Peabody Award-winning, Producer's Guild Award-winning and Emmy-nominated 30 FOR 30 film series. Inspired by ESPN's 30th Anniversary, the films that made up the series were a thoughtful and innovative reflection on the past three decades told through the lens of diverse and interesting sports fans and social commentators. The strong reaction from both critics and fans led to the launch of 30 FOR 30 Volume II, which is currently underway. Additional projects from ESPN Films include the critically acclaimed NINE FOR IX series, SEC STORIED and the webby award winning 30 FOR 30 Shorts.

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