Do we really need a six-part documentary on Derek Jeter?

Ever since The Last Dance became a cultural icon during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, it feels like everyone is trying to make their favorite sports figure or team into a multi-part documentary. Tiger Woods was the subject of a two-part documentary for HBO in January, The 1986 Mets are in line to receive a four-part 30 for 30 at some point this year, Tom Brady is getting a nine-part documentary made about him, and the latest entrant is Derek Jeter.

The six-part series will feature collaboration with Jeter, The Players' Tribune (which Jeter helped found after his playing career was over) and Major League Baseball. ESPN's press release describes the film as a case of Jeter "pulling back the curtain to reveal what it was really like to be The Captain."

Trying to capitalize on Jeter's commercial appeal for a documentary makes sense but the problem here is that it requires heavy buy-in from Jeter in the form of creative control. Jeter, like Michael Jordan, rarely grants public interviews so the entire success of this film will be determined on how willing he is to discuss parts of his life that may not shine the brightest light on him, such as his long dating history and rumored feud with former teammate Alex Rodriguez.

The reason that The Last Dance worked so well was that Jordan was far more candid than most expected, opening himself up to criticism and discussing controversial topics such as his gambling and his decision to retire from the NBA after the 1993 season. There were also far more colorful characters throughout the film, including Dennis Rodman and Phil Jackson, adding depth to the piece that some of the more buttoned-up former Yankees won't contribute much of.

Throughout his career, Jeter made sure he built up a squeaky-clean image off the field, something he would have to tarnish to make this film interesting. A story about how Jeter overcame tough odds to become a star at the major league level can suffice for a 90-minute project but filling six hours is tough without addressing parts of Jeter's life that didn't get a ton of public attention.

The Brady film series will fall into a similar boat if it relies on making Brady look like an All-American hero but there is at least the intrigue of what goes on behind the curtain of the Patriots' dynasty. Simply getting Jeter in a six-hour movie isn't a guaranteed ratings smash like ESPN is hoping for.