In this episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience, VSL alum Alex Cocoros sits down with Gotham Chopra, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and creative force behind Man in the Arena with Serena Williams. Growing up immersed in Boston sports and inspired by his father’s work as a writer, Gotham has always seen sports as a gateway to something bigger—human stories of greatness, struggle, and purpose. Over the years, he’s become a trusted voice in athlete-driven storytelling, capturing the lives of figures like Tom Brady, Conor McGregor, and LeBron James. In this conversation, Gotham opens up about what it takes to earn an athlete’s trust, how the storytelling process has evolved in the streaming era, and why mental health and vulnerability are becoming central themes in today’s sports documentaries.
In this episode, they dive into:
- How to earn trust with top athletes and turn that into authentic storytelling
- Why great characters (and their complications) are the heart of any documentary
- How mental health and player empowerment are reshaping the documentary space
- His next project with Tom Brady in London, documenting the rebuild of a soccer team
Gotham shares how working closely with athletes requires more than just access; it demands empathy, communication, and a shared willingness to explore the human side of greatness. Whether he’s filming in London with Tom Brady or navigating creative dynamics with Bon Jovi, Gotham emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with dependable collaborators and staying aligned through a shared vision. For aspiring storytellers and sports professionals alike, this episode offers an inside look at the craft of impactful storytelling—and a reminder that the best stories aren’t just about sports, but about what it means to push beyond limits.
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SHOW NOTES
- Congrats on recent Emmy nomination on “Man in the Arena” with Serena Williams, how does that feel? (01:57)
- What’s next for you, what’s your next project? (02:38)
- London with Tom Brady to shoot the rebuild of a soccer team he bought
- Have you always tried to shoot a broad spectrum of athletes? (04:21)
- storytelling – what does it take to be the best: finding greatness
- What makes an athlete’s story compelling enough to make a documentary?
- Storytelling – Great characters, complicated characters, willingness to be open/authentic, need time (need a timeline)
- How much of your father’s influence (him being an author) factored into you wanting to be a storyteller? (06:40)
- saw in his dad his world existed in sports, something bigger than yourself
- Boston sports growing up (09:27)
- What is the secret process behind gaining athlete’s trust and working with them and building these relationships? (10:54)
- More player empowerment and they have a lot to say, is that the same in today’s documentary’s – player’s wanting more access to it? (13:04)
- How was working with Connor McGregor? (14:10)
- Is there another sport you haven’t tackled yet that’s on your mind? (15:52)
- How was shooting Bon Jovi? Similar/different experience than working with athletes? (17:26)
- How important is it to have the full production team on the same page? (19:05)
- Not only people with skillsets, but people you can depend on, going back to the emphasis on relationships
- How do you build on those communication skills and talk to people? (21:11)
- How do you think documentaries have evolved in the streaming era? (22:30)
- Mental health is more apparent, how important is covering that side? (24:26)
- Is Tom just as competitive in the film world as he was on the field? (28:28)
- Knowing little tidbits about players helps you connect with them better (30:23)
- Any advice for people trying to break into sports? (32:24)
