ESPNs 30 For 30 Broke Recap; Athletes' Reaction To Film On Former Millionaire Athletes (VIDEO)
ESPN returned their critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated documentary series "30 For 30" this fall.
For this season's premiere on Oct. 2, the sports network featured a 90-minute film titled "Broke."
The documentary featured former athletes and sports professionals explaining how they themselves and their colleagues blew through tens of millions of dollars in a few years.
The film's concept was inspired by a 2009 Sports Illustrated article that highlighted astounding statistics regarding athletes. According to the report, 60 percent of NBA players are broke within five years of retirement and 78 percent of NFL players in only three years.
The film featured confessions from former athletes including Keith McCants, Bernie Kosar and Andre Rison, as well as Marvin Miller, the former executive director of the MLB Players Association.
They share tales of sports figures who squandered millions in a short period of time due to bad investments, freeloading family and friends, child support and from funding lavish lifestyles.
The film highlighted notables including Evander Holyfied, who pays hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to support 11 children he has with nine different women, and Rocket Ismail, who spent his fortune on a series of investments in small businesses ranging from a phone card dispenser, to a caligraphy store and a record label.
The film's director, Billy Corben, shared on ESPN that the documentary isn't about "about people, per se... by the people who experience(d) it. It's essentially a step-by-step guide, How To Lose Millions of Dollars Without Breaking a Sweat."
"Professional athletes blow a lot of money on useless crap," he said. "I was surprised to discover -- and I think others will be, too -- how easy it is to go broke."
Here are some excerpted quotes from former athletes that stood out to viewers:
"I guarantee you, I spent a million dollars on jewelry," said former NFL player Andre Rison.
"They knew when payday was. They knew it better than I did. They had it circled on a calendar," said Leon Searcy.
"After being released I had an injury settlement for $60,000, six of it my ex-wife got it in child support. I take the $54,000 I have and paid $50,000 cash for a Hummer because I had to have it," said Leon Searcy.
Bernie Kosar: "there was probably, different times, I was taking care of 25, 50 families. I remember at one point see I have like 60-something cellphones but I only use one. The bankruptcy stuff has been a blessing in disguise. When people don't think you have money, they dont call you as much. Family included."
"I bought myself a yacht, a mansion, a couple of cars. That aint a million dollars. That's seven million dollars. I pretty much gave it away," Keith McCant admitted.
The film was so harrowing it struck a chord with professional and college athletes who expressed their fears of a potentially broke future on Twitter. Some of them vowed not to repeat the mistakes of their predecessors and noted it was an important lesson to learn.
Here is a list of notable quotes from professional athletes on Twitter:
Lebron James, Miami Heat: "Everyone in sports, doesn't matter if u play or not. Associated with it in some form or another should be watching ESPN #30for30 'BROKE.' "
Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat: "I hope all athletes and inspiring athletes watched the 30 for 30#Broke...don't just say it can't happen to you. Do something about it."
Mike Vick, Philadelphia Eagles: "Just watched 30 for 30 on Espn........Be smart with your $"
Eric Maynor, Oklahoma City Thunder: "Divorce settlement 105 million.......... Wowwwwww ......#30for30"
Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers: "Watching this 30 for 30 Documentary it's crazy. Learned a lot."
Jerel Worthy, Green Bay Packers: "This 30 for 30 has me glued to the TV set. Eye opening especially coming from my dawg Andre Rison."
Richie Incognito, Miami Dolphins: "Watching #BROKE. It's like a road map of what not to do with your money!! Crazy stuff."
Spencer Hawes, Philadelphia 76ers: "#nw #broke. Every pro athlete should be required to watch it. Powerful message."
"30 for 30" was created to celebrate and promote ESPN's 30th anniversary by producing 30 films about true stories that have helped shape the sports industry from 1979 to 2009. A new "30 For 30" film will air every Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
"Broke" will re-air this Saturday, Oct. 6, on ESPN Classic at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Watch the preview clip from the brand new "30 For 30" film, directed by Billy Corben.
