Five must-see sports documentaries for punters

26^th January 2023

The editorial unit

The editorial unit

26 January 2023

Sports has always been a topic of interest for people from all walks of life. And filmmakers are no exception to that. Over the years, a number of film producers have made some great documentaries about sports. Here’s a list of the top documentaries on the subject that should definitely be on any watch list.

Fantasy Sports Gamble by Frontline

This Frontline documentary was made in collaboration with The New York Times. In this movie, viewers get a glimpse of what the underground sports world looks like. As the name suggests, this documentary is highly focused on the rise of fantasy sports.

First aired in 2016, it details how a small loophole in 2006 Act of Unlawful Internet Playing led to the creation of a huge business. The one-hour show features in-depth interviews from a number of people who’re associated with the fantasy sports world – a must-watch for anyone who wants to know how that world operates.

Life on the Line

Directed by Issac Feder, Life on the Line is another great sports documentary that was first released in 2013. Although it was made on a tight budget, the film delivers just as much as other great documentary about the online side of this world.

The 52-hour show features several top names from the sports world. Sharing their advice are professional sports punters Teddy Covers and Erin Rynning, along with other legendary names such as Jay Kornegay and Ken Thompson also making an appearance.

Furthermore, Life on the Line details what it takes and means to be a professional in this field, explaining how career punters interact, look out for odds and plan their playing strategy.

30 for 30: The Legend of Jimmy the Greek

James George Snyder, fondly known as Jimmy the Greek, was a renowned sports commentator. Snyder was known for his 12-year association with the NFL Today program.

In 30 for 30, filmmaker Fritz Mitchell offers a glimpse into the exciting life of the expert. It also details how he would talk about sports in mainstream media when it was frowned upon. Furthermore, it has commentary from legendary sportscasters such as Brent Musburger and Phyllis George.

The Best of It

This Scott Pearson documentary revolves around the life of four professional punters. They are Ken “The Shrink” Weitzner, Alan “Boston” Dvorkis, Lem Banker and Alan “Dink” Denkenson.

First aired in 2016, The Best of It centres on the 2010 NCAA basketball competition, detailing the highs and lows experienced by these four professionals. This documentary is a reminder that playing sports is unpredictable, no matter how experienced one is. It showcases the importance of managing a bankroll and being informed.

60 Minutes: Billy Walters

Billy Walters is considered the most successful punter the Vegas Strip has ever seen; in fact, for many, in the field of sports he’s the “godfather”.

In 60 Minutes: Billy Walters, viewers get to know what being a sports punter means for him. It shows how much effort Walters puts in to get his actions right. Legend has it that he never experienced a losing year  – in fact, he made millions of dollars on several occasions. There are definitely some things to learn from Billy Walters.

The editorial unit