Watch The Cost of Winning

The Cost of Winning is an eye-opening documentary series produced by HBO in 2020, which takes a deep dive into the world of high school sports and the controversial methods taken by certain coaches in their pursuit of greatness. The show features four-year coverage of the St. Frances Academy football team in Baltimore, Maryland, as they attempt to become one of the top high school teams in the country.

The show highlights the intense pressure placed on high school athletes, the recruiting process, and the physical and emotional toll it takes on individuals to be part of a successful program. It brings to light the hard-hitting realities of high school sports - such as the importance of winning at all costs, how sacrificing education for football can be a negative decision, and how football can become a ticket out of poverty.

The Cost of Winning is deeply moving, as it follows the stories of four athletes and their families as they navigate through the cut-throat world of high school sports. The narrative is crafted in such a way that the audience can easily see both sides of the story: the desperation of the boys and their families to get to the top of their game, and the choices made by coaches to push them harder than any other team in the country.

Despite the intensity of the show, there are moments throughout that offer a glimpse into the real-life struggles and journeys of the boys. It touches upon their personal lives, their families' struggles to provide for them, and the sacrifices that each of them must make daily. These moments add depth to the show and help to humanize the boys and their families.

One of the most striking things about the documentary is how it showcases the wide differences in resources and facilities between high school programs in different parts of the country. St. Frances, for example, is a predominantly African-American school in Baltimore, which has a long history of poverty and crime. The school has had to invest in their football program and built up an incredible facility to compete with the more established programs in the country.

Another critical issue highlighted in the show is the role race and class play in high school athletics. In several instances, the documentary showcases how African-American athletes, especially from low-income backgrounds, often face more significant barriers to success than their white counterparts. This is evident in the way that schools from minorities and lower-income areas tend to receive significantly fewer resources and attention than schools from affluent areas.

The Cost of Winning is a five-part series that provides a captivating insight into the world of high school sports. It is an incredibly moving story that will appeal to anyone who is passionate about their sport and its values. It is also a great source of motivation for student athletes who aspire to achieve their goals, as it gives them a glimpse into the grit and grind required to become the best of the best.

In conclusion, The Cost of Winning is a must-watch docuseries for anyone interested in high school sports or anyone who enjoys raw and emotional documentaries. The show's intriguing narrative, the excellent cinematography, and the poignant background music create a compelling viewing experience that will leave you in awe. Although the documentary focuses primarily on football, it addresses broader themes such as race, class, and the role of athletics in society. All in all, it is a well-made series that manages to deliver an important message whilst simultaneously entertaining its audience.

The Cost of Winning is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (4 episodes). The series first aired on November 10, 2020.