Couldnt see a thread on this, but HBO show starring Dwayne "he'll always be The Rock to me" Johnson, from what i understand its from the same people who made Entourage and is based on US Sports.
Debuts 21 June
Debuts 21 June
FTA-TV Ballers (HBO)
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New HBO series uses NFL team names, logos without NFL consent
Posted by Mike Florio on June 7, 2015, 9:51 PM EDT
Getty Images
For the first time since Playmakers, a series based on the world of professional football will appear on TV. For the first time ever, a TV series will use the names of logos of NFL teams without the express written consent of the NFL.
PFT has gotten has advance look at Ballers, the new HBO series starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Debuting on June 21, the pilot episode of the weekly half-hour show begins with Johnson’s character laying in bed, having flashbacks to his career as a member of the Miami Dolphins, playing in a game against the Buffalo Bills. Both team uniforms are used, without alteration.
The first episode includes a scene from a conference room with a Packers logo on the wall. Later, one of the characters visits the fictional coach of the Miami Dolphins, who is wearing a hat with a Dolphins logo (the old logo, not the current one). The second episode includes multiple scenes at a Dolphins offseason practice, with the players wearing helmets bearing the Dolphins logo (the current one, not the old one).
“HBO is always mindful of other intellectual property owners, but in this context there is no legal requirement to obtain their consent,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement issued to PFT on Sunday afternoon. HBO confirmed that the NFL has no involvement in the series.
The NFL initially declined comment, and then reiterated its position after being informed of HBO’s official comment.
Playmakers was based on the fictional pro football team known as the Cougars. Even though Playmakers used no NFL team names or logos, ESPN dumped the show under direct pressure from the NFL, given concerns regarding the manner in which the show depicted professional football players. The first episode of Ballers focuses in part on an NFL player who has sex in the bathroom of a nightclub with a woman he had just met, and who then beats up a fan who confronts the player about keeping the bathroom occupied for an extended period of time.
Even if HBO is within its legal rights to use NFL team names and logo (past films like Any Given Sunday and The Replacements surely would have liked to use real team names and logos, and presumably didn’t due to legal concerns), HBO has a separate business relationship with the NFL, through the annual Hard Knocks series. So for the same reason the NFL squeezed ESPN more than a decade ago, the NFL could squeeze HBO now.
Since the NFL currently has no comment, it’s hard to know what the league will (or won’t) do about the situation. But the first two episodes of Ballers definitely have a Playmakers vibe to them, and it’ll be interesting to see how the show will be received by the NFL, the NFL Players Association, and individual NFL teams.
Posted by Mike Florio on June 7, 2015, 9:51 PM EDT
For the first time since Playmakers, a series based on the world of professional football will appear on TV. For the first time ever, a TV series will use the names of logos of NFL teams without the express written consent of the NFL.
PFT has gotten has advance look at Ballers, the new HBO series starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Debuting on June 21, the pilot episode of the weekly half-hour show begins with Johnson’s character laying in bed, having flashbacks to his career as a member of the Miami Dolphins, playing in a game against the Buffalo Bills. Both team uniforms are used, without alteration.
The first episode includes a scene from a conference room with a Packers logo on the wall. Later, one of the characters visits the fictional coach of the Miami Dolphins, who is wearing a hat with a Dolphins logo (the old logo, not the current one). The second episode includes multiple scenes at a Dolphins offseason practice, with the players wearing helmets bearing the Dolphins logo (the current one, not the old one).
“HBO is always mindful of other intellectual property owners, but in this context there is no legal requirement to obtain their consent,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement issued to PFT on Sunday afternoon. HBO confirmed that the NFL has no involvement in the series.
The NFL initially declined comment, and then reiterated its position after being informed of HBO’s official comment.
Playmakers was based on the fictional pro football team known as the Cougars. Even though Playmakers used no NFL team names or logos, ESPN dumped the show under direct pressure from the NFL, given concerns regarding the manner in which the show depicted professional football players. The first episode of Ballers focuses in part on an NFL player who has sex in the bathroom of a nightclub with a woman he had just met, and who then beats up a fan who confronts the player about keeping the bathroom occupied for an extended period of time.
Even if HBO is within its legal rights to use NFL team names and logo (past films like Any Given Sunday and The Replacements surely would have liked to use real team names and logos, and presumably didn’t due to legal concerns), HBO has a separate business relationship with the NFL, through the annual Hard Knocks series. So for the same reason the NFL squeezed ESPN more than a decade ago, the NFL could squeeze HBO now.
Since the NFL currently has no comment, it’s hard to know what the league will (or won’t) do about the situation. But the first two episodes of Ballers definitely have a Playmakers vibe to them, and it’ll be interesting to see how the show will be received by the NFL, the NFL Players Association, and individual NFL teams.
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Loved watching playmakers and I was bitterly disappointed when they discontinued it. Really hoping this show is similar to that one.
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Look forward to the dogfighting and elevator scenes.New HBO series uses NFL team names, logos without NFL consent
Posted by Mike Florio on June 7, 2015, 9:51 PM EDT
Getty Images
For the first time since Playmakers, a series based on the world of professional football will appear on TV. For the first time ever, a TV series will use the names of logos of NFL teams without the express written consent of the NFL.
PFT has gotten has advance look at Ballers, the new HBO series starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Debuting on June 21, the pilot episode of the weekly half-hour show begins with Johnson’s character laying in bed, having flashbacks to his career as a member of the Miami Dolphins, playing in a game against the Buffalo Bills. Both team uniforms are used, without alteration.
The first episode includes a scene from a conference room with a Packers logo on the wall. Later, one of the characters visits the fictional coach of the Miami Dolphins, who is wearing a hat with a Dolphins logo (the old logo, not the current one). The second episode includes multiple scenes at a Dolphins offseason practice, with the players wearing helmets bearing the Dolphins logo (the current one, not the old one).
“HBO is always mindful of other intellectual property owners, but in this context there is no legal requirement to obtain their consent,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement issued to PFT on Sunday afternoon. HBO confirmed that the NFL has no involvement in the series.
The NFL initially declined comment, and then reiterated its position after being informed of HBO’s official comment.
Playmakers was based on the fictional pro football team known as the Cougars. Even though Playmakers used no NFL team names or logos, ESPN dumped the show under direct pressure from the NFL, given concerns regarding the manner in which the show depicted professional football players. The first episode of Ballers focuses in part on an NFL player who has sex in the bathroom of a nightclub with a woman he had just met, and who then beats up a fan who confronts the player about keeping the bathroom occupied for an extended period of time.
Even if HBO is within its legal rights to use NFL team names and logo (past films like Any Given Sunday and The Replacements surely would have liked to use real team names and logos, and presumably didn’t due to legal concerns), HBO has a separate business relationship with the NFL, through the annual Hard Knocks series. So for the same reason the NFL squeezed ESPN more than a decade ago, the NFL could squeeze HBO now.
Since the NFL currently has no comment, it’s hard to know what the league will (or won’t) do about the situation. But the first two episodes of Ballers definitely have a Playmakers vibe to them, and it’ll be interesting to see how the show will be received by the NFL, the NFL Players Association, and individual NFL teams.
TheFreshBanana
Hall of Famer
Pretty interesting and will check it out.
Surprised The Rock is heading into a television show let alone has time for one.
Surprised The Rock is heading into a television show let alone has time for one.
Sterge
Premium Platinum
Watched the first episode, it's not bad definitely enough to keep watching and half hour episodes are easy to get through.
I wonder how much HBO paid the rock to get him to do TV.
Totally unbelievable though, the guy played for the dolphins and had a superbowl ring.....plz
I wonder how much HBO paid the rock to get him to do TV.
Totally unbelievable though, the guy played for the dolphins and had a superbowl ring.....plz
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liked the first ep, was expecting more comedy (like entourage) but def has my attention and will continue to watch..
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solid start.
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His film career hasn't been as successful as you might think (keeping in mind San Andreas and Furious 7 were very recent), and if he's trying to become a 'serious actor' who gets dramatic roles he'll get more out of a HBO run than a 20th action/comedy movie.
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he's doing alright financially, made $52 mill last year, but as you say thinking he may be leaning towards the more serious roles but give his size/look, not sure that there would be many straight (non action) roles he would be suitable for.
http://www.forbes.com/profile/dwayne-johnson/
NUFC Tiger
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Saw the pilot ep last night and enjoyed it. Looks like it has potential - reminded me a lot of Entourage.
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havent seen the first episode yet. the premise of the show has potential i just hope it doesnt turn out to be watching douchebags be douchebags entourage with footballers.
stringerbell
Cancelled
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Didn't grab me, won't be making it a priority
Didn't realise it's from the same people who created Entourage, makes sense now.
Do the NFL actually have any legal standing here, could they force HBO to take the series off the air?
Do the NFL actually have any legal standing here, could they force HBO to take the series off the air?
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http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201506/nfl-hbo-ballers-dwayne-johnson-football
Don't think they can really stop them.
Just watched the first episode. Not bad. I'll keep watching and give it a season.
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didn't mind it, will keep watching, very entourage influenced through its producers
Is Hard Knocks worth watching even if you don't know too much about NFL? I do enjoy NFL movies.
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I'll definitely keep watching, it has me intrigued enough and Dwayne Johnson is just so damn likeable.
Hopefully it has some NFL players cameo, like they do on 'The League'.
Hopefully it has some NFL players cameo, like they do on 'The League'.
Reading that article above, it definitely has a couple of cameos.
