Showtime has put in development The Education of Matt Barnes, a half-hour scripted comedy series starring and executive produced by Barnes, based on the life of the former LA Laker and NBA World Champion, from creator-writer Matt Pyken (Empire), Lionsgate Television and The Tannenbaum Company. Pete Chatmon (You, Black-ish) would direct the pilot and serve as executive producer.
Created and written by Pyken, The Education of Matt Barnes is a look at Barnes’ real life after 14 years in the NBA – and his journey to the stardom he never achieved on the hardwood. It’s the story of how a single dad from Encino balances home, business, activism and relationships while navigating the temptations of the celebrity-centric, Instagram and TikTok universe of LA.
Barnes will executive produce along with Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum via The Tannenbaum Company. Jason Wang will serve as Co-Executive Producer for The Tannenbaum Company.
The acquisition further deepens Barnes’ relationship with Showtime, who launched his podcast All The Smoke in 2019. Now in its second season, it has become one of the world’s largest and most-discussed sports podcasts, with Barnes serving as executive producer and co-host.
Barnes spent 14 seasons in the NBA as a Los Angeles Laker, culminating in a world championship in 2017 with the Golden State Warriors. He is now a premier NBA analyst on ESPN and is also heavily involved in social justice issues including criminal justice policy, cannabis business equity and community empowerment.
