DEAL ACCEPTED: Los Angeles Lakers president Rob Pelinka has signed an $11.5 million deal with Netflix for …

DEAL ACCEPTED: Los Angeles Lakers President Rob Pelinka Inks $11.5 Million Deal with Netflix for Groundbreaking Sports Docuseries

Los Angeles, CA – July 4, 2025

In a move that blends Hollywood glitz with basketball royalty, Los Angeles Lakers President Rob Pelinka has signed a landmark $11.5 million deal with Netflix for the production of a behind-the-scenes docuseries chronicling the storied franchise’s return to championship contention.

The deal, confirmed early Thursday morning, represents a significant milestone not only for Pelinka but for the Lakers organization and the NBA at large. Slated for release in 2026, the multi-part series will give fans unprecedented access to one of the most iconic teams in professional sports — both on and off the court.

Hollywood Meets Hardwood

Pelinka, a former sports agent and longtime executive, has always had strong ties to both basketball and entertainment. Now, he’s bringing those worlds together in a project that aims to capture the drama, strategy, and personalities behind one of the NBA’s most captivating franchises.

“This is more than just a show — it’s a celebration of what it means to be a Laker,” Pelinka said in a brief press statement. “We’re opening the doors to the fans in a way that’s never been done before. You’ll see the grit, the decisions, the heartbreak, and the glory.”

Sources close to the production describe the series as a hybrid of The Last Dance and Drive to Survive, combining cinematic storytelling with real-time drama from the locker room to the boardroom. Netflix executives are said to be thrilled about the partnership, calling it “one of the most exciting sports entertainment deals of the year.”

A Franchise at a Turning Point

The Lakers, fresh off a rollercoaster 2024-25 season, are in the midst of a strategic rebuild. With young talent rising, questions swirling around the future of superstar Anthony Davis, and pressure to return to title contention before LeBron James officially retires, the timing of the series couldn’t be more compelling.

This Netflix deal will allow fans to watch that evolution unfold in real-time. From high-stakes trade negotiations to player development, internal meetings, and even personal moments from players and staff, the docuseries will pull back the curtain on the emotional and tactical dimensions of running a championship-caliber team.

Filming is already underway at the team’s El Segundo training facility, and insiders suggest it will feature interviews with current players, coaching staff, front office members, and Lakers legends from past eras.

The Netflix Playbook: Sports as Prestige TV

Netflix has been aggressively expanding its sports content portfolio, and this latest deal is seen as a strategic move to deepen its hold on the North American market. After successes with titles like Quarterback (NFL) and Full Swing (PGA), executives are betting that the global appeal of the Lakers brand will drive massive viewership.

“The Lakers are not just a basketball team — they’re a cultural institution,” said Karina Alvarez, Netflix’s Head of Original Sports Programming. “We’re thrilled to partner with Rob Pelinka and the organization to tell a story that transcends sports. This will be must-see TV.”

The docuseries is being produced by Mandalay Sports Media, with Emmy-winning director Ezra Edelman (O.J.: Made in America) reportedly attached to helm at least two episodes. Music supervision and visual design will incorporate elements of L.A.’s vibrant hip-hop and streetwear scenes, reinforcing the Lakers’ cultural impact beyond the hardwood.

Fans React with Buzz and Anticipation

Lakers Nation took to social media almost instantly after news of the deal broke. With hashtags like #LakersNetflix and #PelinkaVision trending on X (formerly Twitter), anticipation is already building.

“It’s about time we saw what really goes down behind the purple and gold curtain,” one fan wrote. “Pelinka’s been pulling strings like it’s Game of Thrones. Let us see it all.”

Others noted the emotional opportunity to connect more deeply with the team — a key part of Pelinka’s vision.

“Rob Pelinka has always been about the story,” said NBA analyst Rachel Nichols. “Whether it’s representing Kobe Bryant or navigating the post-LeBron era, he’s lived through one of the most turbulent, fascinating chapters in Lakers history. This deal captures that.”

A New Chapter in NBA Storytelling

The NBA has long embraced media innovation, but this deal represents a deeper foray into serialized storytelling at an executive level. Pelinka’s decision to front the project as a central figure — not just a producer — underscores a growing trend: front-office personalities becoming stars in their own right.

It also reflects a new transparency in the sports world. While traditional franchises once kept internal operations under tight wraps, fans now demand more connection, more access, and more narrative. Netflix’s Lakers docuseries promises to deliver exactly that.

Final Word

With cameras rolling and the Lakers plotting their comeback, this deal signals a bold new era in sports entertainment. For Rob Pelinka, it’s a defining move — not just as a basketball executive, but as a storyteller.

The message is clear: in Los Angeles, the game never ends. And now, the world gets to watch.