The Last Dance: Michael Jordan adds first Emmy to his six NBA rings
- Documentary on Chicago Bulls’ championship-winning 1997-98 season beats out Tiger King, Hillary, American Masters and McMillion$
- The ESPN and Netflix co-produced ratings smash is named Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the awards
Michael Jordan famously won six NBA championships and was named Finals MVP in each of them but now he has another award: a first Emmy.
Jordan’s The Last Dance documentary, an ESPN and Netflix co-production that he signed off on, was named Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the television awards.
The 10-part documentary series, which focused on the final championship-winning 1997-98 season of Phil Jackson’s all-conquering Chicago Bulls, beat Netflix’s Tiger King, Hulu’s Hillary, PBS’ American Masters and HBO’s McMillion$ to win the gong.
It was a ratings hit for both ESPN and Netflix, although it was not shown on the streaming giant in all territories. Hong Kong’s Jordan fans had to watch via the city’s NBA broadcaster instead.
“Thank you to Michael Jordan himself for giving us his time, his honesty and his candour and the other 105 people who sat down and gave their time and their honesty to make the story what it was. 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,” series director Jason Hehir said.
The Last Dance marked ESPN’s first Emmy in the category after three past nominations for their critically acclaimed 30 for 30 series and their sixth Primetime Emmy overall.
Airplay Jordan: Michael is the GOAT and rap is the proof
The show was also ESPN’s highest-watched original series, driven by viewers being cooped up due to the coronavirus pandemic.
