LeBron James plans to release a documentary inspired by Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance," featuring never-before-seen footage.

As reported by The Athletic on July 30, several informed sources have indicated that LeBron James is nearing an agreement with ESPN to launch a documentary series that captures his journey behind the scenes, with the aim of mirroring the impact of Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance." The sources, who lack authorization to disclose the negotiations publicly, noted that the deal is not yet finalized.

One source characterized the negotiations as being "on the final yard before the goal line." The 41-year-old James is expected to have camera crews document his entire career with the Philadelphia 76ers, a team he officially joined this month, widely regarded as the final stop in his legendary career.

In addition to newly shot footage, the documentary will incorporate archival material from the early stages of James' career. The NBA's production team has been filming James since his rookie season, and the series will include many never-before-released clips.

The financial details of the agreement and other terms have not yet been disclosed. According to Puck News, when Netflix acquired the rights to an eight-part documentary about Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys, the deal was valued at just under $50 million.

The completion date and release schedule for James' documentary have not yet been determined. Both ESPN and James' management team have declined to comment on the matter.

James recently signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers, aiming to secure his fifth NBA championship title.

Jordan's ten-part documentary created a massive cultural phenomenon when it aired in the spring of 2020, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic had halted global sports. ESPN released new episodes weekly, and the series later became available on both ESPN and Netflix streaming platforms. "The Last Dance" won the 2020 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

James and Jordan are widely regarded as the two greatest players in NBA history. Jordan's peak career occurred largely before the widespread use of the internet, meaning he faced less constant media scrutiny compared to James.

As early as February 2002, when James was just a 17-year-old high school sophomore, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. His entire career has coincided with the rapid development of the internet, smartphones, and social media, making it harder for him to maintain personal privacy.

Relying on a vast archive of historical footage and the production team's ongoing documentation of James' journey with the 76ers, this project will delve into the untold stories of his career. The production team may attempt to step outside the creative framework of "The Last Dance," but as with any topic involving these two legendary players, comparisons between the two works are inevitable.