Vice Studios is developing a scripted drama series with sports journalist Pablo Torre that explores the murky intersection of sports ownership, extreme wealth, and corruption. Torre, a veteran sports reporter known for his investigative work, will collaborate with Vice Studios President Amy Powell on the project, which remains largely under wraps.
The partnership marks Vice Studios' continued push into prestige scripted content beyond its traditional documentary and unscripted programming. Torre brings credibility from his years covering high-stakes sports business stories, while Vice Studios has built momentum with shows like "The Righteous Gemstones" prequel and various premium drama projects. The timing of the Cannes announcement suggests the studio is positioning this as a significant addition to its slate.
Sports corruption narratives have become increasingly commercial in recent years. Projects like "Succession" demonstrated audience hunger for stories about dynastic wealth and institutional power plays, even when set outside traditional sports contexts. A drama centered on sports ownership taps into real scandal fatigue, from FIFA corruption to NBA ownership controversies to the Saudi PIF's LIV Golf intervention. Torre's journalism background gives the project built-in authenticity and potential source material.
Vice Studios has worked to rehabilitate its brand and expand beyond its controversial early-2010s documentary legacy. Under Powell's leadership, the studio has pursued scripted programming with legitimate creative pedigree. This drama project signals ambition to compete in the prestige space where networks and streamers are hunting for the next water-cooler hit.
The project's focus on moral corruption among the wealthy aligns with current peak TV trends favoring stories about institutional rot and character-driven legal drama. Whether this lands at HBO, another premium cable outlet, or a streaming service remains undetermined, but Vice Studios' track record suggests they'll shop it aggressively during pilot season.