Blackballed

Blackballed from Quibi is an innovative, gripping, and deeply emotive documentary series that premiered on the Quibi platform in 2020. The series offers an insightful look into an impactful chapter in the NBA’s history that underlines the intersection of sports, race, management, and societal norms.

The series was produced under Quibi, a short-form streaming platform that was aimed at mobile viewing with bite-sized episodes that run for less than ten minutes each. As a result, Blackballed is organized in 12 quick-paced installments, each under 10 minutes long, that take viewers on a riveting journey.

This short but engaging outset offers a comprehensive exploration of the Donald Sterling scandal of the NBA, which occurred in 2014. As the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Sterling’s racist comments threw him in the vortex of public and media scrutiny, leading to his removal from professional sports. These comments became public, causing a national outcry and sparking a deep discussion about race relations both within and beyond the realm of sports.

Blackballed delivers a unique angle to the narrative by focusing on the players’ perspectives and their reactions to the revelations. The players found themselves in a sudden, dramatic spotlight, having to grapple with the pressures and potential consequences of their responses. Integrated into the larger conversation about systemic racism and discrimination, Blackballed addresses the players' resilience and determination.

The series explores the broader context of the NBA’s largely African American player base and its predominantly white ownership, widely regarded as a microcosm of the racial dynamics that permeate wider American structures. It poses thought-provoking questions about accountability, acceptance, unity, and discrimination. In doing so, it delineates the sense of betrayal and emotional conflict that the Clippers players, their families, and the coaching staff experienced when the scandal erupted.

Essentially, Blackballed brings to the forefront the power dynamics at play in the world of sports, and how these mirror larger society's struggles against discrimination and inequality. It tackles the long-standing issue of casual racism and seeks to encourage a broader dialogue on the crucial need for diversity, tolerance, and respect.

Directed by Michael Jacobs, Blackballed features insightful interviews with many notable figures in the NBA community. These include some of the Clippers players themselves: Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and JJ Redick, among others, as well as Doc Rivers, the then coach of the Clippers. These interviews give a voice to the athletes and staff caught in the midst of the scandal, amplifying their experiences and feelings. Moreover, it underscores the interpersonal and professional conundrums they faced, as their employer was ousted from the NBA, and they were left to negotiate their place in their team, their sport, and the public eye as a result.

Music plays a crucial role in the series. With an instrumental score by Jongnic Bontemps, Blackballed builds a gripping atmosphere and sets the tone for the exploration of the challenging, intricate issues it covers. Bontemps’ score compliments the series’ narrative pace and helps to encapsulate the emotional undertones of its content.

Blackballed is a significant addition to the host of sports documentaries that have emerged in recent years, which cover topics ranging from individual sporting success to league-wide scandals. It stands out by shining a light on the off-court, real-world struggles of athletes, as well as the broader societal issues that permeate the cloistered world of professional sports.

Its core strength lies in its treatment of the uncomfortable topic of systemic racism within the NBA with respect and sensitivity. Despite its quick bites of episodes courtesy of Quibi's unique format, the series does not fail to pack a punch in each episode of its high-stakes, emotionally charged narrative. It captivates the audience while striking up a keen conversation on racial equity and sports’ complex role in driving social justice.

All in all, Blackballed, not only recounts a tumultuous period in NBA’s history but also opens up a necessary dialogue on the intersection of race, sports, and power. As much a study of institutional racism, it's also a testament to the resilience and unity of players who find themselves amid a monumental controversy. It's a must-watch for basketball fans, sports enthusiasts, and anyone committed to understanding the complex dynamics of race relations in contemporary society.