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ESPN Takes Us Inside the WNBA Bubble With New Documentary '144'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaEboaRO7CM Thanks to a global pandemic crashing the party, 2020 was a year unlike any other. And for those curious about how athletes adapted during such an unprecedented time, ESPN will be giving us a glimpse with their upcoming documentary 144. Suggested Reading The Ever-Growing List of Lawsuits Against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Take a Look…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaEboaRO7CM

Thanks to a global pandemic crashing the party, 2020 was a year unlike any other. And for those curious about how athletes adapted during such an unprecedented time, ESPN will be giving us a glimpse with their upcoming documentary 144.

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After COVID-19 shut everything down, professional sports organizations throughout the world had two options: either pull the plug on their seasons or find a way to safely move forward. The WNBA created a single siteโ€”more commonly known as a โ€œbubbleโ€โ€”at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and locked in from July 25 until October 6 until a WNBA champion was determined.

Jenna Contreras, who co-directed the film, joined the extended slumber party and spent 62 days inside the bubble herself. During which, she documented the impact of the pandemic, the demands of a season dedicated to social justice, and the rigors of an unrelenting scheduleโ€”and is now kind enough to share that once-in-a-lifetime experience with the world.

โ€œDeveloping this documentary about my sisters in the WNBA and the powerful 2020 season has been an honor,โ€ WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike, who serves as an executive producer on the project, said in a statement to The Root.

โ€œ144 amplifies the story of how our league helped create unprecedented social change while redefining how we see strong female athletes compete at the highest level. It is a privilege to showcase the 144 in their vulnerability letting cameras behind-the-scenes, their dedication to social impact, and their strength in navigating through one of the most challenging seasons we have ever had.โ€

For those curious as to what the name of the film is in reference to, itโ€™s a nod to the 144 brave souls who played their hearts out in the bubble.

144 premieres on May 13 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. But in the interim, treat yourself to the trailer and thank me later.

Straight From The Root

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