ESPN Pumps "Playmakers"; Rose's Mock Trial, X Games Notes

ESPN Will Put Pete Rose On Trial

Yesterday at the Television Critics Association, ESPN introduced to journalists "Playmakers," an 11-episode football drama, as well as the upcoming reality series "Dream Job," according to Andrew Wallenstein of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. ESPN Exec VP/Programming & Production Mark Shapiro said, "It's been news and information led by 'SportsCenter' and live events [in the past]. A dramatic series will allow us to test the market and see how far we can stretch our brand" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 7/11). Shapiro expects Playmakers "to resonate with hard-core and casual sports fans," saying, "As long as we stick to the authenticity of the game on the field and, at the same time, are able to produce proactive television, ... we think it will resonate with viewers because that's what they see everyday." Shapiro also noted that ESPN is in talks with Spike Lee about writing a script for an original series that could begin in '04 (MULTICHANNELNEWS.com. 7/10).

MOCK UP: ESPN will present "Pete Rose on Trial" on Thursday, July 17 from 7:00-10:00pm ET. The mock trial, which will decide Rose's HOF status, will take place earlier that day at Harvard Law School and feature ESPN's Bob Ley as host and CNN's Jeffrey Toobin as legal analyst. The prosecution will be led by Alan Dershowitz, and Rose's defense team will be represented by Johnnie Cochran (ESPN).

SURF'S UP: In L.A., Peter Thomas reports that "surfing will make its inaugural X Games appearance" in August at Huntington Beach, CA. ESPN and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) are near agreement on the issue of licensing fees, and "an end to the battle behind the scenes is imminent." ESPN initially asked that all of ASP's fees, including a $15,000 licensing fee "for specialty events," be waived. While "details of the agreement were still being worked out" yesterday, ESPN "was comfortable enough with negotiations to allow official athlete invitations to be sent" (L.A. TIMES, 7/11).