Facebook Watch, a division of Facebook which is a video platform for TV-stylecontent is currently in talks with Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo over a deal to produce a docu-series about Ronaldo’s life story. The docu-series if it manages to see the light of day will be aired on Facebook Watch and it will become the biggest original docu-series on Facebook.
Variety.com first broke out the news recently stating that talks between Ronaldo’s representatives and Facebook are already at an advanced stage. Variety.com reports that the two have already agreed on financial terms with Ronaldo set to earn a massive $10 million. The docu-series is set to have 13 episodes.
Reports including from novibet.co.uk went further to state that Religion of Sports a grouping of some sporting greats such as TomBrady, Michel Strahan and Gotham Chopra, Matador Content and Dirty Robber are the three companies tasked by Facebook to produce the docu-series. When reached for comment, representatives’ from all three companies, however, refused to comment. Facebook representatives also refused to comment.
Is this the next step in the Ronaldo-Facebook relationship?
Facebook and Ronaldo already have a fruitful relationship. Ronaldo is the most popular sporting personality on Facebook with a followership of over 120 million. Facebook has also tasked one of its content providers, Wiip to create a Ronaldo drama series for one of its productions this year. Wiip runs a program that airs on Facebook Watch featuring high school girls who are looking to make it in football.
Facebook Watch has in the past managed to create docu-series for some sporting stars. These productions have enjoyed massive success with most of them having over 1.5 million viewers. Examples include the ‘Tom vs Time’ show which features one of the most popular New England Patriots Quarter Back, Tom Brady. The show follows TomBrady’s life history from an early age and also showcases his life of today, his life on the pitch and off the pitch. Another popular docu-series from Facebook Watch is the ‘Ball in the Family’ show. This is a show which follows the life of LaVar Ball and his family.
With Ronaldo being the most popular sports personality on Facebook, Facebook hopes that the show will be able to win the hearts of most of his followers and in the process, help the show gain more viewers.
More about Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese native considered by many to be the greatest football player of all time. Ronaldo’ story is that of rags to riches. When he was young, it’s reported that he was expelled from school after hitting his teacher when she had mocked his poor father in class.
Determined to make it, Ronaldo pursued football from an early age. Ronaldo joined the Sporting Lisbon B team at 16 and a year later was promoted to the first team. Manchester United came knocking soon afterwards. His time in England was successful as he won the Manchester United Player of the Season Award twice.
It was, however, with his current team, Real Madrid that he managed to reach the dizzy heights in football winning the World Player of the Year Award a record five times (tied with Lionel Messi also crowned the best on five occasions). Ronaldo is currently the all-time top goal scorer for Real Madrid, in La Liga and also in the UEFA Champions League.