What Happened to The Last Dance?
“The Last Dance” is a 2020 American sports television documentary miniseries co-produced by ESPN Films and Netflix, chronicling Michael Jordan's career with the Chicago Bulls, particularly focusing on their 1997–98 season. Released during the initial COVID-19 lockdown, it became a global phenomenon, breaking viewership records for ESPN and sparking widespread discussion about the Bulls dynasty and its key figures. The series continues to be a benchmark for sports documentaries and a subject of ongoing debate among former teammates.
Quick Answer
“The Last Dance” remains a highly acclaimed and culturally significant sports documentary, nearly six years after its initial release. It continues to be available for streaming on platforms like Netflix and ESPN+, maintaining its status as ESPN's most-watched documentary. While celebrated for its unprecedented access and storytelling, it also continues to generate discussion and occasional criticism from former Chicago Bulls players, particularly Scottie Pippen, regarding its narrative focus. Director Jason Hehir has since moved on to other high-profile sports documentary projects, further cementing his reputation in the genre.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
ESPN and Netflix Announce Co-Production
ESPN Films and Netflix officially announced their joint production of the 10-part documentary series, 'The Last Dance'.
Premiere Date Accelerated Due to Pandemic
Due to the lack of live sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, ESPN announced that the premiere date for 'The Last Dance' would be moved up from June to April 19, 2020.
U.S. Premiere on ESPN
The first two episodes of 'The Last Dance' premiered in the United States on ESPN, drawing record viewership.
International Netflix Release
Episodes of 'The Last Dance' began releasing internationally on Netflix, the day after their ESPN airings.
Series Finale Airs
The final two episodes (9 and 10) of 'The Last Dance' aired on ESPN, concluding its highly successful initial run.
U.S. Netflix Release
The entire 'The Last Dance' series became available for streaming on Netflix in the United States.
Wins Primetime Emmy Award
The series won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
Scottie Pippen Releases Memoir Criticizing Series
Scottie Pippen released his memoir 'Unguarded,' in which he heavily criticized 'The Last Dance' for its portrayal of him and the Bulls dynasty, calling it a 'glorification of Michael Jordan'.
Director Jason Hehir Announces New Netflix Project
Jason Hehir, director of 'The Last Dance', was announced as an executive producer for a new Netflix mini-series retrospective on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dennis Rodman Comments on Pippen's Role
Dennis Rodman publicly stressed Scottie Pippen's vital importance to the Bulls' success, referencing 'The Last Dance' and acknowledging Pippen's feeling of being slighted.
Continued Cultural Impact Highlighted
Discussions continue to resurface about the unique shared experience 'The Last Dance' created during the pandemic and its lasting influence on sports and entertainment.
Rodman on Jordan-Pippen Rift
Dennis Rodman commented on the lingering feud between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, suggesting that Jordan holds the key to repairing their relationship, years after the documentary's release.
Hehir's Djokovic Documentary Release
Jason Hehir's documentary on Novak Djokovic, 'Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter', is set to be released on Amazon Prime Video, with Hehir reflecting on the extensive work involved, noting it took longer than 'The Last Dance'.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
“The Last Dance” emerged as a cultural touchstone during an unprecedented time, premiering on April 19, 2020, amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic when live sports were largely suspended. This timing proved serendipitous, as the 10-part documentary miniseries, co-produced by ESPN Films and Netflix, captivated a sports-starved audience worldwide. Directed by Jason Hehir, the series offered an intimate look into Michael Jordan's illustrious career, with a primary focus on the Chicago Bulls' pursuit of their sixth NBA championship in eight years during the 1997–98 season, famously dubbed 'The Last Dance' by coach Phil Jackson.
The documentary achieved immediate and massive success. Its premiere episodes averaged 6.1 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2, making it the most-watched documentary content ever on ESPN. The entire series averaged 5.6 million viewers for its initial airings, consistently dominating television viewership during its five-week run. Internationally, Netflix reported 23.8 million households watched the series in its first four weeks outside the U.S., highlighting its global appeal. Critically, it received universal acclaim, holding a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 91 out of 100 on Metacritic, and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
However, its success was not without controversy. Several former Bulls teammates, most notably Scottie Pippen, expressed dissatisfaction with the series' portrayal, arguing it was a 'glorification of MJ' that diminished the contributions of others. Dennis Rodman, while acknowledging Pippen's importance, also commented on the lingering rift between Jordan and Pippen, suggesting in July 2026 that Michael Jordan holds the key to reconciliation. These ongoing discussions underscore the documentary's powerful narrative and its lasting impact on the legacy perceptions of the Bulls dynasty.
In the years since its release, 'The Last Dance' has maintained its cultural significance. It continues to be a subject of academic research, exploring how it enhances viewer-brand alignment through its authentic portrayal of characters and events. Its release during the pandemic created a unique shared experience, filling the void of live sports and sparking widespread social media engagement and debate. As of 2026, the documentary remains readily available on streaming platforms, continuing to introduce new generations to the Bulls' legendary era. Director Jason Hehir has continued his work in sports documentaries, directing projects such as an Elvis Presley documentary for Netflix (announced in 2024) and a Novak Djokovic documentary (released in August 2026), further solidifying his reputation for insightful sports storytelling.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The Last Dance made different choices?