Sony brings ESPN Films' iconic sports documentaries

is that we do not only cover the games, we cover the ‘game around the game’ and we do it as storytellers. These films go beyond sports and engage viewers with compelling, often unknown or previously unseen, narratives that capture the power, emotion and poignancy of sports in our lives.”

Often credited with revitalizing and revolutionizing the art of sports documentary, ESPN Films projects are brought to life by a roster of gifted filmmakers collaborating with ESPN. Among those who have created films for the series are Jeff & Michael Zimbalist, Clifford Bestall, Albert Maysles, Barry Levinson, Bradley Kaplan, Brett Ratner, Spike Jonze, John Singleton, Brian Koppleman, Michael Rappaport, Daniel Gordon, Alex Gibney, Eric Drath, Ezra Edelman and many more.

Commenting on the launch, SPN India Sports Cluster Business Head and EVP Prasana Krishnan said, “Some of the most inspiring stories in the world have come from sports. We are showcasing a collection of award-winning ESPN Films documentary series for the first time in India that is sure to appeal to both die-hard sports fans as well as people who don't know much about sports. The ESPN films are a differentiated offering from Sony ESPN channels that comprise legendary human interest stories that will give our viewers an opportunity to relive some of the greatest moments in the history of sports.”

ESPN Films was launched in March 2008 and has been an industry leader in documentary filmmaking since its inception, producing more than 100 documentaries that have showcased some of the most compelling stories in sports.

Speaking to indiantelevision.com, ESPN India Television Initiatives Head Jasdeep Pannu said, "Times are changing in India and sports is becoming extremely relevant. Also, this is the kind of content that you will not find anywhere in the world. The content appeals to sports fans as well those passionate about films.”

Pointing out that to promote and market these films campaigns are being run on Sony’s in-house TV channels, Pannu said. “We are also cross promoting the films on our regular channels on digital media like ESPN.com, cricinfo, etc.”

Films like `The 16th Man’, `Muhammad and Lary’, `Maradona’, `The Real Rocky’, `Into the Wind’, `Little Master’ and `Unmatched’ are among the few productions that will be telecasted on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD every Sunday noon.

IPL ex-chief Lalit Modi to be extradited from UK

MUMBAI: A special court in Mumbai yesterday allowed the Indian law-enforcement authorities to extradite from the United Kindom Lalit Modi, the creator of highly-successful Indian IPL franchise which was recently in news for potentially fetching BCCI Rs 4500 crore in telecast rights.

The PMLA court permitted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to send a Letter of Request (LR) to government in the UK for execution of a non-bailable warrant against the former IPL commissioner, and his transfer to India for facing probe in a money-laundering case.

The ED is investigating a case against Modi in connection with a 2008 deal between World Sports Group (WSG) and Multi Screen Media (MSM) for IPL television rights to the tune of Rs 425 crore. The BCCI had registered a case in Chennai in this connection, followed by a case by the ED under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The directorate is probing Modi for misappropriation of funds from IPL during his tenure.

The agency had on 8 November sought necessary steps to be taken by the competent authorities in the UK for locating him. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court permitted the prayer. “The LR order will now be sent to the External Affairs Ministry, which will forward it to the competent authority in England for further action,” said special ED counsel Hiten Venegoankar.

So far, three LRs had been issued against Modi by the same court to authorities in Mauritius, Singapore, and the UAE. The court had, on August 6 last year, issued an NBW (non-bailable arrest warrant) against the high-profile former IPL boss who was believed to be in the UK.