30 FOR 30: THE LEGEND OF JIMMY THE GREEK (TV)
Summary
One in this series of sports documentaries presented by ESPN about important figures and events in athletic history. This film spotlights notorious “NFL Today” commentator and bookie Jimmy Snyder, better known as “Jimmy the Greek.”
The film follows Snyder’s life, beginning in the town of Steubenville, Ohio. Owing to the horrific murder of his mother and aunt by his uncle, the young Snyder becomes emotionally distant; finding a place for himself in Steubenville’s many gambling institutions. Upon discovering his talent at successful gambling, Snyder decides to drop out of school to become a professional gambler. Moving to Las Vegas, Snyder makes a fortune on sports betting, but is publicly humiliated when he is convicted of interstate gambling. Abandoning his former work, Snyder becomes the manager of a public relations firm, re-earning his fortune and gaining national fame. In 1976, Snyder is asked to join “The NFL Today” as a sports commentator; his fame skyrockets and soon “Jimmy the Greek” is a household name. His “NFL Today” co-stars describe him as a complex individual, alternately befriending and angering his fellow commentators. Snyder also deals with personal tragedies, such as the deaths of his children due to cystic fibrosis. His fame comes to an abrupt end in 1988 when Snyder makes nationally televised insensitive remarks, sparking a controversy which leads to CBS firing him. His final few years are spent in a deep depression, agonizing over his mistake and unable to recapture the larger-than-life persona he created for himself. Snyder passes away in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of unique sports commentary and the legitimization of sports betting.
The film includes commentary and interviews from: “NFL Today” co-anchors Phyllis George, Irv Cross, and Brent Musburger; author and commentator Frank Deford; CBS news anchor Dan Rather; professional poker player Doyle Brunson; sports commentator Hank Goldberg; Snyder’s son Anthony Snyder; former CBS Sports president Neal Pilson; former “NFL Today” producer George Veras; and CBS Sports director Robert Fishman.
Details
- NETWORK: ESPN
- DATE: November 10, 2009
- RUNNING TIME: 0:52:05
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 104342
- GENRE: Documentary
- SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SERIES RUN: ESPN - TV series, 2009-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Wendy Yamano … Producer
- Mark Durand … Producer
- Libby Geist … Associate Producer
- Mike Tollin … Consulting Producer
- George Veras … Consulting Producer
- Gary Paul Gates … Consulting Producer, Writer
- Fritz Mitchell … Director, Writer
- Eric Liebman … Music by
- Basile … Voice, Jimmy the Greek
- Doyle Brunson
- Irv Cross
- Frank Deford
- Robert Fishman
- Phyllis George
- Hank Goldberg
- Brent Musburger
- Neal Pilson
- Dan Rather
- Anthony Snyder
- Jimmy Snyder
- George Veras