The Univ. of Miami football team "nearly signed a deal with Showtime to be the subject of a Hard Knocks-type show," but the deal "ultimately didn't happen," according to sources cited by Jason McIntyre of THE BIG LEAD. The show would have chronicled UM "during August leading up to the season opener against Louisville, and then throughout the season, totaling around 13 episodes." A source said that ESPN NFL analyst and UM alum Ray Lewis "was going to be a producer." UM Senior Associate AD/Communications Chris Freet said, "We've explored it for over two years and now's just not the right time to get it done." McIntyre reported the window "doesn't appear to be completely closed on the project," as there is a "slim chance it could come together" this month. UM would be an appealing choice for such a show for "obvious reasons -- life off the field in Coral Gables and the school's constant battle against sanctions" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 4/30). In Miami, Barry Jackson notes UM rejected the offer last month in part because it was not comfortable, "at least for the season, with granting Showtime incredible access to detail whatever it wished about the Hurricanes football program" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 5/1).
