Full Court Press
The 7th Annual Awards
- Best Athlete Storytelling
ABOUT THIS ENTRY
Full Court Press takes viewers into the exhilarating world of elite women's college basketball, spotlighting standout athletes Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and Kiki Rice during a groundbreaking surge in the game’s popularity. From Iowa's record-shattering preseason game to the WNBA draft, the series captures their journey with unparalleled access, exclusive interviews, and never-before-seen game footage from the historic 2023-2024 NCAA Division I women's basketball season.
How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?
Peyton Manning had a vision for Full Court Press - to take the model of success of their other male-focused docuseries like Quarterback and Receiver and instead focus on three iconic female hoopers. Since female athletes so rarely take the spotlight in sports stories, especially in a game like basketball, there was immense pressure to give these girls the story and impact they deserve.
The team was able to exceed production goals and achieve a true milestone in their documentary storytelling capabilities. The story’s impact was beyond what was expected. It was clear that the success stories of these three girls held such meaning for not only female athletes, but viewers across the country. The story had a broader, societal context, as women’s sports continue to fight for support, acceptance, and recognition. It led each athlete to develop new levels of fandom as athletes and as people, which accounted for a surge in women’s basketball viewership, like the record-shattering 2.4 million April W.N.B.A. draft views.
Season two is already in the works and is highly anticipated by fans, proving the docuseries not only captivated audiences, but triggered a nationwide obsession and sustained interest months after release.
Objective
Full Court Press’ production house has long understood that sports stories have immense power off the field. After the organization solidified its standing as a sports media powerhouse, it was ready for a new challenge.
On the heels of March Madness, they teamed up with ESPN and Words + Pictures to release Full Court Press. The four-part series features exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access documenting elite collegiate women’s basketball stars from a record-breaking season. The original series chronicles the ongoing journeys amid a surge in women’s basketball of Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and Kiki Rice.
Full Court Press was built to highlight the players’ talents, seizing the surge of interest and appreciation for women’s athletics. With men’s basketball having soaked up the spotlight for decades, publishing house founder Peyton Manning felt passionate about telling the untold stories of female athletics and imparting the recognition these exceptional female athletes deserve.
Strategy & Execution
Amid a transformative period for women’s basketball, Full Court Press peeled back the curtain to provide the exclusive content fans were craving. After Iowa’s record-breaking 2021-2022 season, it was clear there was an off-the-court story waiting to be told.
Filming began at the start of the college basketball season in Fall 2023, capturing Iowa’s historic preseason game and culminating with the WNBA draft in April. The series featured extended interviews and focused on players’ stories on and off the court providing a comprehensive view of the athletes' journeys toward a national championship.
Moments such as Rice’s discussions with her sports psychologist, Cardoso’s family interviews in Brazil, and Clark’s family on Christmas offer glimpses of each player’s personal life that viewers can relate to. This behind-the-scenes perspective on the benefits and pressures of college stardom and the depiction of athletes as real people helps foster a strong connection between the audience and the athletes.
Organizations
- Omaha Productions
- ESPN
- Words + Pictures
Links
Featured
- Caitlin Clark
- Kamilla Cardoso
- Kiki Rice
Credits
Eli Manning
Executive Producer
Omaha Productions
Tim Brown
Executive Producer
Omaha Productions
Colin Campbell
Executive Producer
Omaha Productions
Therese Andrews
Executive Producer
Omaha Productions
Heather Anderson
Executive Producer
ESPN
Brian Lockhard
Executive Producer
ESPN
Burke Magnus
Executive Producer
ESPN
Lindsay Rovegno
Executive Producer
ESPN
Celebrate in NYC
Join us for the 7th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards™ on the evening of June 24, 2025 as we celebrate finalists and reveal the winners of this year's awards live during the show.
