ESPN's 'Backstory investigates unsolved scandals in the world of sports
Backstory’s debut episode “Serena vs. The Umpire” launches the series on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT on ABC, with multiple re-airs following across ESPN networks. Driven by Van Natta’s intuitive voice as a reporter, Backstory takes viewers on a personal, journalistic, journey. “We’re exploring stories that are unresolved and have layers to them, and that’s certainly the case with what happened at last year’s US Open women’s final,” said John Dahl, Vice President and Executive Producer, ESPN Special Projects and Original Content. “With this and subsequent stories, viewers will follow along with Don on his deep dive for truth.” In the premiere, Van Natta connects the dots on nine months of reporting to examine the saga of Serena Williams’ intense clash with chair umpire Carlos Ramos during her loss to Naomi Osaka in the 2018 US Open women’s final. Seeking her record-tying 24 th Grand Slam victory, Williams was assessed code violations that resulted...