Bill Belichick and the North Carolina football program will not be participating in the offseason edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks after discussions between the two sides fell apart.
NFL Films had engaged in talks with Belichick and North Carolina about featuring the program in the show, but the deal ultimately fell apart due to a lack of agreement.
An NFL Media spokesperson confirmed to CBS that the sticking point was creative control, which prevented the parties from finalizing the deal.
Recent reports revealed that an NFL Films employee had been spotted at North Carolina’s football facility, suggesting initial interest in filming there.
North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi also hinted at the conversations about the possibility of being featured on the program.
“There’s a lot of conversations going on right now about that,” Lombardi recently said on The Pat McAfee Show.
“We’ve had a lot of offers from people all over to come in and look at our program and kind of do the behind-the-scenes things, but I don’t think anything’s yet been official or signed.”
Although the Hard Knocks deal has fallen apart, there is still interest from North Carolina in participating in a behind-the-scenes program that could provide national exposure for the football program.
North Carolina had been HBO’s pick for the second season of the offseason Hard Knocks, following the New York Giants in the first season (which did not go over too well).
However, no NFL team agreed to participate in the second season, prompting HBO to turn to a college football subject.
Interestingly, ProFootballTalk reported that NFL owners were not happy that HBO was going to feature Belichick and his college program on an NFL-owned property.
“We’re told that some owners aren’t thrilled with the decision to feature Belichick on an NFL-owned platform,” ProFootballTalk stated.
“Beyond the specific bridges Belichick has obliterated and the more general attacks on pro football as spearheaded by his consigliere, Mike Lombardi, Belichick is inching toward persona non grata territory as far as some NFL owners are concerned.”
It seems like Belichick and UNC will still find another platform to feature their program in a behind-the-scenes fashion.
However, you have to admit, Hard Knocks with Belichick and the Tar Heels would have been fasinating.
At least this time, it seems like the NFL and the owners have got the last laugh on the legendary coach. (Just how they like it.)
What are your thoughts on the unfortunate development???
