The third episode in Season 4 for HBO’s “BALLERS” on Sunday night was highlighted by themes focusing on agency issues and players giving back to alma maters. One of the episodes first scenes was at a skate park where SportsX Founder Lance Klians, played by RUSSELL BRAND, was doing an action sports film for the agency's linear channel. Tensions had previously arisen between Klians and the show's protagonist, Spencer Strasmore, played by DWAYNE JOHNSON, and now, Strasmore was worried about the large scale and potential costs of the film. Strasmore's partner, Joe Krutel, played by ROB CORDDRY, finds out that the shoot cost around $1M, representing a large chunk of Krutel and Strasmore's investment in SportsX. Making a cameo in the skateboard film shoot is pro ZION WRIGHT, who sports a Red Bull hat and Nike shirt while riding a Real Skateboards board in the scene (Wright is an ambassador for all three brands). The conclusion of the episode featured Joe and Spencer confronting Lance at the skateboard production wrap party, asking where the money is coming from to, pay the elaborate filming and party. A back and forth ends with Strasmore firing Klians at the end of the episode.
HOW MUCH TO GIVE BACK? In another plotline, Cowboys OL Vernon Littlefield, played by DONOVAN CARTER, goes back to his high school in Compton, as the school is retiring his jersey. Littlefield’s childhood friend and confidant Reggie, played by LONDON BROWN, is apprehensive about returning, saying “every time we go back home everybody’s got their hand out.” ERNIE HUDSON portrays their old high school principal and puts the hard sell on them for a donation, noting the “asbestos” and “lead paint” plaguing the school. After an inspirational speech and ceremony naming the high school football field “The LittleField,” Vernon speaks at a podium and surprisingly pledges $1M to the school, much to Reggie’s chagrin.
