First movies, then television and now unscripted reality shows? Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has officially branched out beyond the world of basketball. In 2014, in addition to moving back to Cleveland and its basketball team, James debuted two TV shows: Survivor's Remorse, a comedy that focused on the life of a fictional pro basketball player on STARZ, and Becoming, a documentary-style show on Disney XD that focused on the early lives of real athletes. Now, James will move into the world of unscripted television when he brings his latest creation, Cleveland Hustles, to life.
Together with longtime business partner Maverick Carter, James set out to inspire local businesses to thrive. Four local businesses will be given the opportunity to compete for the chance to own their own business. The best part? These businesses will be placed in Cleveland areas that need the chance to rebuild and revitalize. James and Carter will executive produce and James will appear in a few episodes.
The show will be produced through James and Carter's production company, Springhill Entertainment, in conjunction with Magical Elves. CNBC, where the show will appear, released a statement saying, "In Cleveland Hustles, NBA superstar LeBron James and his longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter will give four aspiring local entrepreneurs the chance to realize their own dreams while also helping to revitalize a neighborhood in Cleveland."
James and Carter will enlist the aid of four trusted business experts and associates, who will in turn invest in and mentor fledgling entrepreneurs who need a little jumpstart. In success, these four businesses will provide jobs and services for neighborhoods that desperately need to be invested in. According to Jim Ackerman, EVP, Primetime Alternative, CNBC, the network is the perfect place to house a show such as this one. "Cleveland Hustles speaks to the network's entrepreneurial spirit and also creates an opportunity to help strengthen communities that have fallen on hard times."
The series is set to premiere in the summer of 2016.
Watch James talk about Survivor's Remorse below.
