Believers: Boston Red Sox

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Katie Nolan, Bill Burr and other lifelong fans retrace the Boston Red Sox’s haunted history. Decades of heartbreak, myth, and near-misses, all culminating in the 2004 team that didn’t just win but redefined what it meant to believe. Believers is the story of a city, a curse, and the faith that finally paid off.

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

The star power that was featured in Believers: Boston Red Sox clearly generated the most fan engagement with the series. The primary teaser produced for the series was a simple execution that featured a quick sound byte from each star featured in the series followed by a graphic display of their name mounted against the Green Monster. This execution, combined with the fact that both of the top performing social media clips from the series featured series star Matt Damon, proves that putting A-List talent in the center of the spotlight can generate high levels of engagement.

Objective

The creation of Believers: Boston Red Sox was driven by a desire to capture the soul of New England. The project aimed to craft a unique narrative weaving Boston’s historical evolution and its residents' resilience into the Red Sox’s infamous trials. It showcased how the team’s struggles were a direct reflection of the city's own identity and endurance. Innovative visual storytelling brought historical landmarks and baseball legends to life with a cinematic depth never seen before. Babe Ruth taunted the Red Sox from the back of his baseball card, the Green Monster whimpered before Bucky Dent, and fans pondered the vastness of a cruel universe as they observed cosmic visuals set to the words of Yankees fan Neil deGrasse Tyson. Raw honesty grounded the story as told by real Bostonians and Massachusetts’ biggest celebrities. This ensured the narrative was told by those who actually lived the heartbreak and the triumphs, offering a perspective only a local could provide. Ultimately, the goal wasn't just to document a team, but to honor the "Believers" who lived every inning.

Strategy & Execution

Being a sports fan can feel like a blessing or a curse—but for Boston Red Sox fans, it was always a test of faith. For 86 years, the Red Sox broke the spirits of generations of their most devoted followers, falling short of a championship in heartbreaking and unforgettable fashion, time and time again. Yet through every collapse, every missed chance, and every season of disappointment, Boston fans held on to an unshakable belief that redemption would come. Believers: Boston Red Sox captures the story of how that faith, a remarkable group of players, and a city ready for change broke one of the most notorious curses in sports.The Boston Red Sox did more than break a curse—they redefined a city and a fanbase. Boston’s improbable 2004 postseason run, set against the complicated history of the franchise, the city, and the people of Boston, explores the deeper connection between humanity, faith, and sports. Johnny Damon, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, and other members of the 2004 Red Sox roster relive how their unwavering belief that the impossible could happen finally rewarded Boston’s long-suffering faithful.

Organizations

• ESPN

• Religion of Sports
• Artists Equity

Featured

• Ben Affleck

• Matt Damon
• Katie Nolan
• Bill Burr
• Donnie Wahlberg
• Neil deGrasse Tyson
• Sam Jay
• Maria Menounos
• Uzo Aduba
• David Ortiz
• Johnny Damon
• Curt Schilling
• Bronson Arroyo
• Kevin Millar

Credits

Gotham Chopra
Director
Religion of Sports

Lauren Fisher
Director
Religion of Sports

Katy Murakami
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports

Ben Affleck
Executive Producer
Artists Equity

Dani Bernfeld
Executive Producer
Artists Equity

Gillian Brown
Executive Producer
Artists Equity

Ameeth Sankaran
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports

Victor Buhler
Executive Producer
Religion of Sports

Burke Magnus
Executive Producer
ESPN

Brian Lockhart
Executive Producer
ESPN

Marsha Cooke
Executive Producer
ESPN

Lindsay Rovegno
Executive Producer
ESPN

Heather Anderson
Executive Producer
ESPN

Omri Kruvi
Senior Story Producer
Religion of Sports

Lauren Foster
Story Producer
Religion of Sports

Joe Levin
Story Producer
Religion of Sports

Torey Champagne
Supervising Producer
ESPN

Gavin Cote
Producer
ESPN

Kati Fernandez
Producer
ESPN

Julia Foust
Content Associate
ESPN

Becky Novick
Co-Producer
Artists Equity

Caitlin Alba-Rothstein
Co-Producer
Artists Equity

Doris Kearns Goodwin
Consulting Producer

Beth Laski
Consulting Producer

Devin Gordon
Consulting Producer

Bryant Robinson
Director of Photography
Religion of Sports

Brady Hammes
Supervising Editor

Ben Kramer
Post Producer
Religion of Sports

Sean Wright
Post Coordinator
Religion of Sports

Stephen Bodossian
Lead Assistant Editor
Religion of Sports