Netflix to Release “Broken Backfield” — Mike Budenholzer Untold Story of Pain, Purpose, and Redemption. Netflix has just dropped a bombshell that has Los Angeles and the entire Milwaukee world buzzing: former Gamecocks legend Mike Budenholzer will be the subject of a brand-new original documentary titled “Broken Backfield,” premiering globally………..
June 3, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA — In a move that’s sent shockwaves through both the basketball and streaming worlds, Netflix has announced a new original documentary, Broken Backfield, chronicling the untold story of former Gamecocks standout and NBA champion coach Mike Budenholzer. Set to premiere globally later this summer, the documentary promises an unflinching look at a man whose quiet demeanor masked a storm of personal loss, professional highs, and emotional redemption.
The announcement was made Tuesday morning via Netflix’s official press channels and immediately ignited trending conversations across social media platforms, particularly in Los Angeles, where Budenholzer recently accepted a high-profile coaching role, and in Milwaukee, where he led the Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years in 2021.
From Hardwood Dreams to Human Pain
Broken Backfield takes viewers far beyond the playbook. While many fans know Budenholzer as the stoic, strategy-first coach who helped mold Giannis Antetokounmpo into a superstar, the film pulls back the curtain on a man shaped not just by basketball, but by heartbreak. The documentary delves deep into Budenholzer’s early life in Arizona, his collegiate days with the South Carolina Gamecocks, and the personal tragedies that nearly derailed his path to the NBA elite.
“People know Coach Bud for what he accomplished on the court,” said Emmy-winning director Shari Elkins, who helmed the project. “But the real story is about perseverance — through family loss, health scares, and immense pressure — and the quiet strength that carried him.”
The title, Broken Backfield, is metaphorical. While Budenholzer never played in the NFL or suffered a literal backfield collapse, the term reflects moments in his life where foundational pieces — both personally and professionally — were stripped away. From the untimely death of his brother just days before the 2023 playoffs, to his controversial exit from the Bucks after their early postseason exit in 2023, Budenholzer’s journey has been filled with trials that few outside his circle truly understood.
Intimate Access, Never-Before-Seen Footage
The documentary includes never-before-seen footage from locker rooms, family homes, and behind-the-scenes meetings during some of Budenholzer’s most defining moments. Netflix confirmed that the project has been in development since late 2023 and features exclusive interviews with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and even newly crowned Lakers star Anthony Davis, who reportedly pushed for Budenholzer’s hiring in Los Angeles.
What sets this documentary apart is the rare level of access. In one particularly emotional segment, Budenholzer reflects on the pressures of leadership in Milwaukee while grieving privately: “I had to keep showing up. For the team, for the city, for my family. But some days, I could barely get out of bed.”
Elkins and her team also interviewed Budenholzer’s family members, former assistants, and even critics, ensuring a balanced narrative that captures the complexity of his legacy.
A Redemptive Arc in Los Angeles?
Since signing on to coach the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year, Budenholzer has been the subject of renewed media scrutiny and curiosity. His second act in the league could prove to be one of the most compelling coaching stories in modern sports history — and Netflix’s timing seems anything but accidental.
With the Lakers retooling their roster and placing faith in Budenholzer’s disciplined but player-friendly system, many fans see Broken Backfield as both a tribute to what was and a prologue to what might be.
Global Premiere, Widespread Buzz
Broken Backfield will premiere globally on Netflix on August 15, 2025, accompanied by a limited theatrical release in select cities including Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Columbia, South Carolina. Early critics who screened the film have praised it as “raw,” “hauntingly beautiful,” and “a portrait of leadership born through pain.”
As anticipation builds, one thing is clear: Mike Budenholzer’s story is far from over — and for the first time, the world will see it from his perspective.
