This fall, Roku Originals is taking viewers behind the scenes of the WNBA with Gamechangers: Mother/Athlete, a new installment in the platform’s Gamechangers anthology series streaming free on The Roku Channel.
The documentary features WNBA stars Sheryl Swoopes, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Bria Hartley, Natalie Achonwa and Allison Feaster, giving audiences an unprecedented look at the unique challenges of timing pregnancies around basketball season, maintaining contracts and returning to All-Star form after giving birth.
“I’ve spent my life competing at the highest level, but one of the most meaningful roles I’ve ever had is being a mother,” said Swoopes, a Hall of Famer, Olympic Gold Medalist and WNBA pioneer. “For a long time, that part of our stories wasn’t talked about. I’m proud to be part of a documentary that gives women the space to share those experiences honestly, and I hope people come away with a deeper appreciation for everything these athletes balance.”
Academy Award-nominated director Christine Turner helms the project. “These women open up about personal moments most of us never see, the fear, the doubt and the expectations they face when taking on two demanding roles at once,” Turner said. “My hope is that viewers leave with a fuller picture of what it means to be a mother and a hooper, and to be a working mom, period.”
“We’ve all seen athletes fight to win championships,” said Tom Forman, CEO of Terminal B TV. “What we haven’t seen nearly enough is what it takes to build a family while competing at that level. These women aren’t choosing between motherhood and greatness. They’re redefining what greatness looks like, on and off the court.”
“Sharing these inspiring perspectives with our audience is part of our commitment to the untold stories of women’s sports,” added Sean Boyle of Roku Originals.
Gamechangers: Mother/Athlete builds on the existing Gamechangers anthology, which includes Gamechangers: The Ashlyn Harris Story and Gamechangers: America’s Top 25 Female Athletes. The documentary is produced by Terminal B TV in association with Motion Entertainment. Tom Forman, David Metzler and Adam Neuhaus serve as executive producers, with Sean Nugent as co-executive producer and Erin Leyden as producer.
Gamechangers: Mother/Athlete streams free on The Roku Channel this fall.