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And The Oscar Goes To: SBD Looks At '16 Sports Flicks, While Execs Opine On Favorites

The Oscars are once again upon us! With ABC on Sunday night set to air the 89th Academy Awards, THE DAILY takes a look back at the major theatrical sports releases of '16 and how they fared at the box office. We also give out our own “Sports Oscars” in some categories, while execs from around sports give us their favorites from the past year.

STORIES TO TELL: Overall, the crop of sports films in '16 was average. It was an Olympic year, so it was only fitting that two Games-themed biopics were the top grossing sports films of the year. “RACE,” which tells the story of JESSE OWENS and his triumphs at the '36 Berlin Games, raked in $19.2M domestically, which ranked 114th among all films during the calendar year. “EDDIE THE EAGLE” portrays the underdog story of British ski jumper EDDIE EDWARDS and his last-place finish at the '88 Calgary Games and despite some star power with HUGH JACKMAN, the film grossed just $15.8M domestically, ranking it 124th among all films. Two boxing films did not fare much better, although “BLEED FOR THIS” was only released in November while “HANDS OF STONE” had a summer release in August. Neither had a full year to enjoy more box office success. “Bleed For This,” about the comeback story of VINNY PAZIENZA, grossed just $5.1M, while “Hands Of Stone,” telling the story of ROBERTO DURAN, grossed just $4.7M. Two films released late in ’15 fared better at the box office in ’16, but were not eligible for this year’s Oscars. “CONCUSSION” starring WILL SMITH earned $17.1M in ’16 (released in November ’15), while the latest in the “ROCKY” franchise, “CREED,” earned $10.4M during the ’16 calendar year after its November ’15 release.

OUR WINNERS: With sports films -- outside of ESPN’s “O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA” documentary -- being shut out of the Oscar nominations, THE DAILY decided to hand out its own awards this year.

THE DAILY's AWARDS AMONG SPORTS FLICKS
CATEGORY
FILM/
ACTOR
WHY
Best Picture
"Race"
This movie was long overdue and a great look at Jesse Owens' accomplishments leading up to and during the '36 Games
Best Actor
MILES TELLER
Teller's performance as the brash Vinny Pazienza in "Bleed For This" was another strong effort for the up-and-coming actor
Best Supporting Actor
JASON SUDEIKIS
The "SNL" alum was out of his normal comedic comfort zone in “Race,” but solid in his first dramatic role as Owens’ track coach

VOICES FROM THE CROWD: THE DAILY also polled a few execs on their favorite films of the year overall. NHL VP/Digital Products & Marketing NILI DOFT and YES Network Head of Business Development & Digital Media MICHAEL SPIRITO both picked “LION,” while USTA Chief Exec of Professional Tennis STACEY ALLASTER went the animation route, choosing “ZOOTOPIA.” Fanatics Authentic VP/Athlete Marketing MICHAEL GALLUCCI picked “ARRIVAL” for his favorite, while UFC Senior Exec VP & COO IKE LAWRENCE EPSTEIN put it as a tie between “MANCHESTER BY THE SEA” and “LA LA LAND.” 

NEXT IN LINE? Execs also chimed on what they thought should be the next sports story to get movie treatment. Allaster feels the Battle of the Sexes from ’73 is ripe for a feature film, and the matchup is in fact getting the movie treatment later this year, with EMMA STONE playing BILLIE JEAN KING and STEVE CARELL as BOBBY RIGGS. Spirito thinks the Patriots’ past season, with all the noise about Deflategate and TOM BRADY, needs cinematic treatment, while Doft wants to see a movie about Leicester City’s improbable run to the EPL title last season. Gallucci had a lesser-known story in mind, and one with family ties. He wants to see a film on Dodgers 1B ROB SEGEDIN, who played 561 minor league games over seven years before getting his call-up this past season. But Gallucci admits to being a bit biased, as Segedin is his cousin.

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