The Shocking Reason Behind HBO's Abrupt Cancellation of Winning Time After Season 2

Summary

The ongoing strikes by WGA and SAG-AFTRA had an impact on the promotion and marketing of the show, but HBO did not cancel it using them as an excuse.

There is a possibility of "Winning Time" coming back for a third season featuring a new NBA dynasty, like the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. However, it is crucial to prioritize historical accuracy to prevent repeating past issues.

HBO has abruptly canceled its sports drama series Winning Time after only two seasons. Titled Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, the show delves into the Showtime era of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team from 1979 to the 1980s. A talented ensemble cast, including John C. Reilly, Adrien Brody, Gaby Hoffmann, and Jason Segel, brings the story to life. Co-created by Max Borenstein, the writer of Godzilla, and directed by renowned filmmakers Adam McKay and Trey Edward Shults, the series had high expectations. However, unlike other canceled shows affected by ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, HBO's decision to end Winning Time was influenced by multiple factors beyond viewership. Despite speculation about a potential third season, the show's future seemed doubtful prior to the network's official confirmation.

Winning Time Season 2's Viewership Ratings Were Worse Than Season 1

Jeff Pearlman, the author of Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, the non-fiction book that serves as the basis for Winning Time, had expressed concerns about the future of the show a month ago. On August 16, Pearlman took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and stated that the fate of Winning Time was uncertain and that he was worried it might not receive a third season. In the same post, he urged fans to watch season 2, spread the word, and demonstrate to HBO the dedicated fan base of Winning Time.

While HBO has not cited the strikes as a reason to cancel Winning Time, Pearlman acknowledged that the strikes were a contributing factor. These strikes have prevented the star-studded cast of the show from promoting season 2. The strikes are necessary for the fair treatment and compensation of low-level writers and actors who struggle financially, but they have had a significant impact on the marketing potential of this year's film and television releases. However, the strikes are not solely responsible for the decline in viewership of the series; other factors have played a role, even before the strikes occurred.

Winning Time Was Hurt By Controversies With Former Lakers Players & Staff

HBO has positioned Winning Time as a dramatized version that enhances and adjusts certain facts for added drama. However, this approach has generated significant controversy due to its often inaccurate portrayal of real events. Not only have basketball historians expressed criticism, but also the actual former Lakers players and coaches depicted in the series. As a result, the show has suffered in terms of its reputation among sports fans and TV viewers, deterring potential audiences who have no interest in investing in a fictionalized account of true occurrences.

Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the two most renowned basketball players featured in Winning Time, have both condemned the series for its inaccuracies. Johnson, in particular, expressed his disbelief at HBO's decision to exclude any involvement from him or his teammates in telling the Lakers' story. As a result, he refuses to watch the show. Similarly, Abdul-Jabbar criticized the show's portrayal of its main characters, deeming them as simplistic representations of the real individuals. Given the stature of these two NBA legends, their opinions hold substantial weight among basketball fans, overshadowing the TV producers attempting to narrate their story without consulting those involved.

Winning Time Season 3 Can Still Happen (But Without The Lakers)

HBO's sudden cancellation of Season 2 of Winning Time has left the Lakers' story with an unsatisfying and incomplete ending. However, there is a possibility for this basketball drama to continue as an anthology series, featuring a new story in its next iteration. For instance, a potential Season 3 of Winning Time could explore a different NBA dynasty, such as Michael Jordan's iconic era with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. To prevent the issues that plagued the previous seasons, it would be advisable for the writers to prioritize historical accuracy in this potential future installment of Winning Time.