ESPN has long established itself as the leading channel in sports entertainment.  ESPN is known for its daily coverage of top national sports events and provides programming with expert analysis.  In 2003, the network decided to go beyond covering sports news and events by starting their own original television drama.

On this day, August 26th, in 2003, Playmakers, the first ever original TV series created by ESPN aired for the first time. The program followed a fictional professional football team through a winding story line.  The show quickly gained popularity with audiences and became the network’s second highest rated show, behind Sunday night NFL programming.

Unfortunately, Playmakers would only air until November of 2003.  ESPN was pressured by the NFL to cancel the series, mainly because the league interpreted the story line as being a negative portrayal of professional football. Despite its short, 11-episode run, Playmakers was recognized as the Top TV Series by the American Film Institute in 2003.