30 for 30 box set available for pre-order

Pre-order from Amazon. Release date is 12/7.

In celebration of the ESPN 30th anniversary, ESPN Films presents 30 for 30 , a critically acclaimed series of films from some of todays finest directors. From Barry Levinson & Peter Berg to Steve James, Brett Morgen and Ice Cube, each filmmaker brings their unique perspective to an extraordinary sports story from the last 30 years. The New York Times calls the films entertaining and Time Magazine says it is a thrilling collection. ESPN has nailed it with this gripping series (The Los Angeles Times). Multiple films have received official selections from the Sundance, Toronto, Tribeca and South by Southwest Film Festivals, making this collection of remarkable films a must-have for any film fan. The ESPN 30 for 30 Gift Set, Volume 1, is a 6-disc set that includes the first 15 films from the series: Kings Ransom, The Band That Wouldnt Die, Small Potatoes: Who Killed The USFL?, Muhammad & Larry, Without Bias, The Legend of Jimmy The Greek, The U, Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks, Guru of Go, No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson, Silly Little Game, Run Ricky Run, The 16th Man, Straight Outta L.A. and June 17th, 1994. The Gift Set also includes over 2 hours of bonus features.

The U dvd release: August 17, 2010

We just confirmed with ESPN the dvd release date for The U -- August 17th, just in time for football season.

More info on bonus features, artwork, screenings as we get closer.

The U dvd release

We get more emails asking us about The U dvd than anything else, so here's the deal:

ESPN released the first batch of 30 for 30s from the Fall 2009 season on dvd in March. The U premiered on December 12th, making it the last documentary in the Fall 09 season. Since we were working with ESPN on changes up until two weeks before the premiere, we weren't finished in time to release in the first batch.  

When The U became the highest rated doc in the history of ESPN, we decided to really flesh out the dvd with as many extras and deleted scenes as possible. Dave spent most of January working on polishing about twenty scenes we didn't include in the film (QB battle Kosar vs Testaverde, Tim Brown and the 87 Notre Dame game, JJ's Thursday night meetings, etc) and featurettes from the Miami screenings.

We finished the extras in mid-February, and now ESPN is deciding on a release date. One of the considerations is how best to release a college football documentary in the off-season. I spoke with some people up in Bristol yesterday and they are eyeing a few potential dates, so hopefully we'll have news soon.

And no, I don't know if there will be a Blu-Ray release, although we are pushing for one.