Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel Season 5 Episode 7

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel Season 5 Episode 7 Episode 7

  • July 26, 1999

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is a documentary television series on HBO that explores various sports-related topics. The show features in-depth interviews with athletes and coaches, investigative journalism pieces, and first-hand accounts of major sports events. Season 5, Episode 7 of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is titled "Episode 7" and covers a range of sports-related topics.

The episode opens with a segment on the rising popularity of pickleball, a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Real Sports correspondent David Scott travels to Naples, Florida, where the sport is booming, and meets with players of all ages and experience levels. Scott explores the unique appeal of the sport, which has become a social phenomenon, attracting retirees and young families alike.

Next, the episode takes a look at the recent trend of high school football teams hiring private trainers to work with their players outside of school. Real Sports correspondent Soledad O'Brien investigates the growing industry of private trainers who promise to help high school athletes secure college scholarships and improve their chances of a professional career. O'Brien interviews parents, coaches, and trainers, and raises questions about the impact of this trend on amateur sports.

In the third segment, Real Sports profiles Kevin Atlas, a former college basketball player who was born without a left hand. Correspondent Jon Frankel tells the story of Atlas's rise to success on the court, and explores the unique challenges he faced as a player with a physical disability. Frankel follows Atlas as he speaks to young athletes with disabilities, sharing his message of perseverance and resilience.

The episode then turns to a provocative report on the controversial world of esports. Correspondent Bernard Goldberg travels to South Korea, the epicenter of competitive gaming, to meet with professional gamers and learn about the massive industry built around esports. Goldberg investigates the intense training regimens, commercial endorsements, and multi-million dollar prizes that have turned gaming into a high-stakes sport.

Finally, Real Sports turns to the story of Bobby Wilson, a former minor league baseball player who quit the sport after he was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Correspondent Andrea Kremer speaks with Wilson and his family about the devastating effects of his injuries, and raises questions about the long-term health risks of playing contact sports.

Overall, Episode 7 of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel offers a diverse range of sports-related topics, from a niche racket sport to the multi-billion dollar world of esports. The episode features compelling interviews with athletes, coaches, and industry insiders, and raises important questions about the future of sports and the health risks that athletes face.

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Description
  • First Aired
    July 26, 1999
  • Language
    English