Barack Obama's Role In Netflix's Starting 5 Documentary Explained

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Starting 5.

Netflix's new docuseries Starting 5 was executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama. Starting 5 offers an extensive deep dive into the 2023-24 NBA season through the exclusive lenses of five elite players. Directed by Peter J. Scalettar (Supreme Team) and executive produced by Peyton Manning (Quarterback) and the Obamas (Leave the World Behind), Starting 5 takes a behind-the-scenes look at the off-the-court lives of five of the NBA's biggest stars. Starting 5 follows Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Starting 5 also includes never-before-seen footage of these five NBA talents during the regular season and playoffs, including previously unreleased audio and in-game commentary between players, coaches, and other NBA personnel. The biggest reveals in Starting 5 piece together some of the common themes between these five NBA superstars, such as their personal battles with injury, legacy, and fame, as well as their roles as fathers, partners, and public figures. Starting 5 has a great soundtrack and releases just one day after the start of the 2024-2025 NBA Preseason, chronicling the entire 2023-2024 season up to the Boston Celtics' NBA Finals victory in June 2024.

All 10 episodes of Starting 5 are now streaming on Netflix.

Barack & Michelle Obama Are Executive Producers On Starting 5

Peyton Manning and Maverick Carter are also executive producers

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Barack and Michelle Obama are both executive producers of Netflix's Starting 5. While neither of them appears in the new Netflix docuseries, they each played a crucial role in bringing the project to life, likely taking on the roles of funding the project and other responsibilities requiring executive oversight. The other executive producers of Starting 5 include director Peter J. Scalettar, Philip Byron (The Shop), Maverick Carter (Hustle), and Vinnie Malhotra (Goliath). Barack Obama is a two-time Emmy winner for his voiceover work as the narrator of the Netflix nature documentary Our Great National Parks (2022) and docuseries Working: What We Do All Day (2023).

Related LeBron James' Net Worth Explained Forbes claims in Starting 5 that LeBron James' net worth is more than $1.2 billion, making him the fifth wealthiest athlete in history.

Neither Barack nor Michelle Obama has commented on Starting 5 or promoted the series in any way on social media, which is understandable given the proximity to the 2024 Election. Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground Productions co-produced the Netflix docuseries along with LeBron James' production and media company Uninterrupted and Peyton Manning's production company Omaha Productions. Starting 5 marks the first collaboration between LeBron James' Uninterrupted and Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions. It's also the first collaboration with Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions.

Barack Obama Is A Huge Basketball Fan

Magic Johnson came out of retirement to play on his 50th birthday

Out of all the projects that Barack Obama has produced since launching Higher Ground Productions in 2018, Starting 5 is arguably the one that makes the most sense based on his personality and extracurricular interests. Obama has several viral clips of him playing basketball while he was President of the United States, including one that shows him cashing a stepback three-pointer before walking off and saying "That's what I do!" Obama played varsity basketball at his high school and has carried his love of the game throughout his life even through his time at the White House where he was known to host iconic basketball games.

According to The White House's official website, Barack Obama customized The White House to have its first-ever full-length basketball court. "Shortly after taking office, President Obama had the White House tennis court adapted so it could be used for both tennis and basketball. The White House has had a smaller outdoor court since 1991, but the adapted tennis court allows enough room for a full court game of basketball." Magic Johnson even came out of retirement to ball with Obama at The White House on the former President's 50th birthday, which NBA stars such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, and Alonzo Mourning also attended (via Sports Illustrated).

What Else Barack & Michelle Obama Have Produced At Netflix

The Obamas have produced several series, docs, and films

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Through Higher Ground Productions, Barack and Michelle Obama have been executive producers on several other notable projects other than Starting 5. They were involved in Netflix's dystopian movie Leave the World Behind starring Ethan Hawke, Jennifer Garner, and Mahershala Ali. They also produced the 2024 Netflix murder mystery series Bodkin which starred SNL alum Will Forte and the 2023 Oscar-nominated movie Rustin starring Colman Domingo. Higher Ground also co-produced 2023's American Symphony, a music documentary starring 5-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste. After Starting 5, the Obamas are set to produce several new projects, such as an untitled 2024 Paris Olympics documentary.

Sources: The White House, Sports Illustrated