MTP, LALIGA Studios develop slate of football-centric projects
May 13, 2024
Since its founding in 2023, LALIGA Studios, a joint venture between Banijay Iberia, part of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, and LALIGA, is dedicated to pioneering new standards in sports entertainment through the creation of global original content, brand content, digital media, live events, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and bringing entertainment to a worldwide audience.
“LALIGA is the most exciting soccer league in the world. It touches people across the globe with a passion that’s unrivaled. And now, through our collaboration with MTP we can develop a global slate of projects that will take the sport from the pitch to a whole new audience worldwide,” said Chalo Bonifacino Cooke, CEO of LALIGA Studios.
MTP, previously known as Mandalay Sports Media is a sports-focused media company in Los Angeles. At the helm is Mike Tollin executive producer of the global sensation The Last Dance, the miniseries on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, which became the most watched documentary ever on ESPN in the U.S. and a record-breaking hit globally on Netflix. The series also won the 2020 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. MTP followed up its sports doc success two years later with 2022’s The Redeem Team (Netflix) which won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Long Documentary.
Tollin’s storied Hollywood career includes scripted films, television hits, and documentaries such as the Oscar-nominated Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream. He was one of the original producers on the landmark 30 for 30 series for ESPN and in the last decade, has been trusted to tell the stories of sporting icons Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Allen Iverson and Shaun White. He has also worked on innovative projects alongside EA Sports, 2K Sports, and Jordan Brand.
“Over the last decade, soccer and sports at large, have become fully mainstream in the US and beyond. Sports fans around the country are embracing the same aspects of the game that has made it the most-played sport in the world. Our partnership with LALIGA Studios will amplify this trend and bring the sport to a new demographic through accessible human storytelling,” said Jonathan Vogler, President of MTP’s Unscripted division.
The details of the slate have not yet been announced but the first of its projects is already in the works led by MTP and Emmy winning producer-director Diego Hurtado de Mendoza.
“I’m beyond excited about what we’ve been preparing. This is such a perfect match. MTP’s unmatched track record developing the most memorable projects in recent years and Spain’s LALIGA being the most dynamic soccer league globally are the perfect platform for developing
the biggest, and most enjoyable new shows that will expand the categories of how sports can engage a global audience,” said Diego Hurtado de Mendoza.
Banijay Iberia (part of Banijay) and LALIGA joined forces last year to launch LALIGA Studios, led by Chalo Bonifacino Cooke. It’s partnership with Mike Tollin’s MTP echoes Banijay’s wider ambitions to grow across sportainment, documentary and digital, via new partnerships, content investments and M&A following the recent launch of Banijay Sports.
Tollin and MTP are repped by UTA and Jared Levine and Nick Gladden of Yorn Levine.
Diego Hurtado de Mendoza is repped by Zero Gravity Management and Chris Perez and Jonathan Fisher of Donaldson Callif Perez.