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LeBron to produce documentary on ‘exploitative’ NCAA

Citi Hoops Classic - Kentucky v Monmouth

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Nick Richards #4 of the Kentucky Wildcats puts up a shot over Louie Pillari #24 of the Monmouth Hawks during the second half at Madison Square Garden on December 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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LeBron James, his longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter and Steve Stoute, the CEO of United Masters, teamed up to produce a documentary “illuminating the complex rules of amateur athletics in America and showing how they affect uncompensated athletes and their families.”

Title “Student Athlete”, the documentary, which will debut on Tuesday, October 2nd on HBO, will features stories on a number of collegiate athletes, including former Illinois and Bradley basketball player Mike Shaw and current Kentucky center Nick Richards. It will also feature Silas Nacita, a former walk-on at Baylor that was homeless at one point while trying to walk-on for the Bears.

“This is an incredibly important story about the institutional denial of basic human rights for these student athletes,” says Carter, CEO of SpringHill Entertainment. “When Steve Stoute brought us this idea, it was a perfect fit for the kind of stories we want to tell at SpringHill. We’re excited to work with one of the best human rights storytellers in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy to help people see and feel how this issue impacts the lives of those living it.”

“The NCAA blinded by revenue goals is turning student athletes into full-time employees,” said Stoute. “This documentary is incredibly important as it debunks the myth that student athletes are being fairly compensated by receiving scholarships and a valuable education. In fact, the demands put on these students by this oppressive system makes it impossible for them to get the education they deserve. The time is now to end this false narrative and reveal the truth of this exploitation.”