Summer is a great time of year for most people. The sun is out, vacations are on their way, and the temperatures are warm. This is not always a good time of year for fans of major sports such as football or basketball though. Lots of the biggest sports take a break over summer and this can leave you with a hole in your schedule.
The best way to handle this is to find other things to do instead, until the major sports resume play. One idea is to simply find sports that are fun to watch. If you want to get even closer to the action, you could also bet on these sports. Just remember to find the best place online for the latest odds and news first. Best Odds is the go-to choice for many people as it is reputable, knowledgeable, and brings together all the information that sports bettors need in one place.
Another handy way to stay busy in the offseason is to check out the best sporting movies and documentaries – but which ones should you fire up first?
The Last Dance
One of the best sports documentaries ever is certainly The Last Dance. Although the story has its roots in the NBA, you do not have to be an avid fan of basketball to enjoy it. It helps that it is based on NBA superstar Michael Jordan and covers his dramatic career in Chicago plus his final season with the side in 1997/98. The Last Dance is very well-made and really takes you into the heart of the action.
This is given a massive boost by the number of basketball legends who turn up to share their thoughts. From Jordan himself to Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, the late Kobe Bryant, and more, this documentary series packs in some real big names. Combining previously unseen footage from the 1997/98 season with revealing interviews, it is a thrilling watch. If basketball is your thing, then you might also fancy catching Space Jam 25th anniversary edition in 4K.
Senna
If you fancy a break from football, hockey, basketball or baseball, why not give Senna a try? This revealing and emotional 2010 documentary is also a must for fans of high-octane racing. It tells the story of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, who was tragically killed while racing in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
This riveting yet heartbreaking documentary tracks the supremely talented driver’s career from his early days, right up to his untimely demise. For those who like to get all the inside gossip, it also delves into his well-known rivalry with fellow F1 star Alain Prost. As with The Last Dance, this story is so interesting that you do not have to be into F1 particularly to love it.
Any Given Sunday
If you are a big football fan and the NFL offseason is hitting you hard, why not turn to the fabulous movie Any Given Sunday? The fact that it’s directed by Oliver Stone and stars Al Pacino should be enough to make you watch it.
The opening 20 minutes of hard-hitting action sets the tone perfectly, and it never lets up from there. The movie is also helped hugely by great turns from Dennis Quaid as an aging quarterback and Jamie Foxx as the cocky rising star. What is interesting is that along with pumped-up action and a frenetic feel, Stone mages to make points about player safety and the number of black coaches in pro ball.
Cool Runnings
There is no doubt that all of the above documentaries or films are pretty intense – but what if you want something that’s more laid-back and amusing? In this case, Cool Runnings is the movie to go for. One of the most iconic sporting flicks ever, it tells the story of three Jamaican sprinters and one of their friends on their seemingly impossible journey to the 1988 Winter Olympics. Roping in John Candy’s disgraced former coach, this unlikely bobsled team actually make it! We won’t spoil the ending, but suffice to say that it is worth watching. With plenty of sporting action, some great performances from Doug E. Doug and Leon Robinson, plus some genuinely funny moments, this movie is a winner.
Don’t let the offseason get you down
With so many major sports having their offseason over the summer, you might start to feel a bit down or bored. While this is understandable, the best thing is to find other sports-related activities to do while you wait for them to resume. As the above shows, catching the best sporting movies and documentaries is one fun way to achieve this.
