The best reality series about sports

Netflix’s Untold tells the stories of some of sports’ biggest scandals and notorious events. The latest season features Jake Paul, Johnny Manziel, Victor Conte, and NCAA coach Urban Meyer recounting some of the most memorable stories from their time under the lights. 

Considered by the NFL and HBO, “the first sports-based reality series” is their very own docu-series, Hard Knocks . It premiered in 2001, following the Baltimore Ravens and taking viewers on a journey through an NFL team’s training camp and prep for the coming season. It’s aired a total of 19 seasons and features players, coaches, and staff. 

This Netflix reality show focused on the lives of three high school football players in Georgia trying to balance their social and academic lives with the weight of being stars of the country’s all-time winningest high school program.  

When this show dropped on Netflix, it was the talk of the town. It featured amusing characters and moving stories of abuse, heartbreak, and overcoming struggles. Since its premiere, the series has aired a second season; however, it’s been overshadowed by the many scandals surrounding head coach Monica Aldama and Navarro College’s esteemed cheer program. 

Another Netflix series, Break Point, gives watchers a close-up of the lives of the world’s best tennis players as they travel and train for the four Grand Slams and the ATP and WTA tours. 

ABC’s Dancing With The Stars is one of the longest-running competition series featuring professional dancers who are paired with celebrities who then train and compete in competitive ballroom dancing. Some of the industry’s biggest stars have been featured, from Master P to Kim Kardashian. 

The creators of Cheer bring Netflix viewers another series and the second iteration of their hit docu-series, Last Chance U. This version focused on a junior college basketball team in East Los Angeles striving to win a national championship while battling personal issues and convictions.  

Netflix partnered with the PGA Tour to give watchers a behind-the-scenes look at golf’s biggest players and their preparation for that year's tour. Following the series’ release, Netflix renewed Full Swing for a second season. 

If you’re interested in following the lives of several high-school quarterbacks training before attending their massive D1 colleges, QB1 is the one for you. 

This Netflix documentary pulls the curtain back on the disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted after being found to have sexually assaulted his athletes. Athlete A features some survivors who bravely told their stories and revealed the truth about the USAG’s destructive culture. 

Conor McGregor has been one of the UFC’s most entertaining fighters since his debut in 2013. His docuseries, McGregor Forever, shows the athlete’s lethal hands and trash-talking tongue up close and personal.   

The title says it all for this one. Another one of Netflix’s captivating docuseries about the life of tennis star Naomi Osaka. This series touches on a number of emotional topics, from the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests to well-being and sense of belonging. 

Bill Russell has the most championship wins in the NBA’s history, and his story and legacy are told in this gripping two-part series. In addition to speaking about his star power on the court, Bill Russell: Legend will focus on the champ's activism during the civil rights movement, marching with the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Basketball or Nothing revolves around high-school ball players living on the nation’s largest reservation in Arizona who strive to win a state championship title for their school and town. 

Most reality shows about sports focus on the lives of the players, with coaches as secondary characters. However, The Playbook flips the scripts and explores the minds of coaches as they share what rules they follow to become the best. 

Have you ever heard the saying, “Second is the first to lose?” Well, the subjects of Netflix’s Losers have, and they’re dishing all about how they handled failure. It features the stories of boxers, figure skaters, basketball players, and more. 

A true inspiration, this Netflix documentary short is the story of Zion Clark, who was born without legs but fell in love with the world of wrestling. It’s a moving story about individuality, perseverance, and grit. 

The NFL and Netflix joined forces to give viewers Quarterback , an eight-part series that follows the everyday lives of athletes Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota. Due to the show’s success, Netflix and executive producer Peyton Manning announced there would be a second season.