In The Arena: Serena Williams
The 7th Annual Awards
- Best Women’s Sports Content
ABOUT THIS ENTRY
After 27 years in professional tennis, Serena Williams shares a personal account of her most meaningful Grand Slam appearances and deconstructs the milestones of her legendary career. Each episode explores the pivotal moments in Serena’s life on and off the court, illustrating the series of steps that when reflected upon, show the incredible distance traveled over the course of her career.
How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?
In the Arena: Serena Williams set a new standard for a series in the world of tennis. It is far and away the most impactful tennis project ESPN has ever produced in terms of reach, engagement, and social media chatter. This project proves that a captivating central character in the zeitgeist combined with a compelling story featuring obstacles to overcome can draw a massive audience regardless of sport. Now that the franchise has had success tackling subjects in the football and tennis world, the possibilities are endless.
Objective
The world knows Serena Williams as the greatest of all time. But her personal story is just as compelling as the unparalleled things she’s accomplished on the court, and In the Arena: Serena Williams aims to tell that story in a style that is as dynamic, compelling, and unforgettable as the superstar herself.
Serena Williams shares a personal account of her most meaningful Grand Slam appearances over 27 years of professional tennis and deconstructs the milestones of her legendary career. From her childhood in Compton and the struggles she’s overcome to the way she’s redefined tennis, business, motherhood, and so many other areas, what unfolds in this series is a life that transcends sports.
Strategy & Execution
The “In the Arena” series has been synonymous with the greatest athletes of all time since its origin. The first season of the series featured Tom Brady, considered the G.O.A.T. of the NFL, while the second season went a step further to feature Serena Williams, who inarguably is considered the G.O.A.T across all sports. Through the narrative – including in-depth interviews with those who have shared her journey - we gain meaningful understanding of what drives Serena, the mindset and will that have made her the greatest to ever play her sport. It is at times touching, suspenseful, humorous, dramatic, and above all, memorable - like that of any great sporting event that captivates fans by immersing them into a one-of-a-kind experience.
Organizations
- Religion of Sports
- Nine Two Six Productions
- 199 Productions
- ESPN
Credits
Gotham Chopra
Director, Executive Producer
Religion of Sports
Lauren Fisher
Co-Director
Religion of Sports
Meghan Cirillo
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports
Ameeth Sankaran
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports
Victor Buhler
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports
Serena Williams
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports
Tom Brady
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports
Heather Anderson
Executive Producer
ESPN
Brian Lockhart
Executive Producer
ESPN
Burke Magnus
Executive Producer
ESPN
Lindsay Rovegno
Executive Producer
ESPN
Torey Champagne
Supervising Producer
ESPN
Ashley Bembry-Kaintuck
Producer
ESPN
Jacob Mosler
Producer
Religion of Sports
Radhika Womack
Co-Producer
Religion of Sports
Caroline Currier
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports
Sean Horvath
Editor
Religion of Sports
Brady Hammes
Editor
Religion of Sports
Joseph Levin
Story Producer
Religion of Sports
Sarah Cordial
Story Producer
Religion of Sports
Alisa Sherrod
Story Producer
Religion of Sports
Kyle Van Dam
Associate Producer
ESPN
Andrew Distler
Content Associate
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.
