Miami, FL – August 8, 2018 – “Warriors of Liberty City” is the newest docu-series set to debut on Starz in September. The six episode series explores Liberty City – a crime-ridden neighborhood in Miami, arguably known as the NFL’s largest, most successful football factory. The series creator, Evan Rosenfeld, is an award winning documentary film and television producer and director born and raised in Miami known for his hit series “The U”, a 2009 ESPN “30 for 30” documentary, “Broke”, and “Cocaine Cowboys.” Rosenfeld, alongside with Executive Producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter, partnered together to create the docu-series following the Liberty City Warriors, a youth football program founded by an unlikely mentor: hip-hop pioneer Luther Campbell, better known as “Uncle Luke.”

Liberty City is place synonymous with poverty and gun violence, but in the face of incredible challenges and personal tragedy, the Liberty City Warriors learn to triumph both on and off the football field. Last night, WRE sat down with Rosenfeld at the premiere located at Pérez Art Museum Miami to understand his vision and inspiration behind his project. Rosenfeld stated, “my goal is to shine a light on how important programs like the Liberty City Optimist are. The program is underfunded and has to fight for every penny they get, but when you watch a show like this, you realize how needed they are.” Notable attendees at the premiere included Chad Johnson formerly Chad Ochocinco, Edgerrin James, and young football players and their families. If you can’t wait until the premiere on on September 16, read more about the newest series.

WRE: How did you get into documentary film and television production? 

ER: I was lucky enough to get a chance to work with Miami’s very own Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman on their second feature documentary, Cocaine Cowboys. That turned into working with them for about 6 years on films like The U, Broke, and Dawg Fight.

WRE: You’re born and raised in Miami, how did growing up in Miami influence your work?

ER: I grew up listening to Uncle Luke and watching the Miami Hurricanes throughout my entire life. Both are synonymous with a certain attitude and a unique style, I try to incorporate a little of that into my work.

WRE: Your main focus is on sports related programming, producing some of the most successful sports documentaries of the last decade, what has drawn you to a career focused around the sports industry?

ER: Working in the sports industry actually happened by chance. When we worked on The U documentary for ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, the success of that project led to a few more opportunities in the space. In 2011, I moved out to Los Angeles since I had done so much work in that world, those were the projects that kept coming to me. I love using sports to tell a story bigger than the game. I like to use it as a tool to hook or excite viewers, but to make it tell a bigger story.

WRE: Warriors of Liberty City is your newest documentary series, how did your partnership with Executive Producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter come about?

ER: I previously met with their company (SpringHill Entertainment) about a few other projects and they were the first people I brought this to. I think they were excited about it because the work LeBron and Maverick do back home in Akron, Ohio is similar to what programs like the Warriors do in Liberty City. As a result, they know the impact these programs have and how important these stories are to tell.

Liberty City produces more NFL players than anywhere in the country, but sending them to the NFL isn’t the goal of the program. Football is used as a tool to keep kids headed in the right direction. To teach them things like teamwork, hard work, and how to win or lose with grace.

Evan Rosenfeld

WRE: Liberty City is known as a crime-ridden neighborhood in Miami, the series follows a season with the Liberty City Warriors, a youth football program – how do you think football acts as a saving grace to kids? 

ER: Liberty City produces more NFL players than anywhere in the country, but sending them to the NFL isn’t the goal of the program. Football is used as a tool to keep kids headed in the right direction. To teach them things like teamwork, hard work, how to win or lose with grace. Organized youth football also gives a chance for a kid that might not have enough support at home to have positive influences in their life. Their coaches help make sure they are doing the right things, performing well in school, and even make sure they eat dinner. The director of Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, is a product of football in the community. He told me he wouldn’t be where he is today without football keeping him on the right path.

WRE: Although sports is commonly known as an escape from violence and crime. What would you say to the families of kids who don’t have the same athletic potential?

ER: Liberty City produces more NFL players than anywhere in the country, but sending them to the NFL isn’t the goal of the program. Football is used as a tool to keep kids headed in the right direction. To teach them things like teamwork, hard work, and how to win or lose with grace. Organized youth football also gives a chance for a kid that might not have enough support at home to have positive influences in their life. Their coaches help make sure they are doing the right things, performing well in school, and even make sure they eat dinner. The director of Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, is a product of football in the community. He told me he wouldn’t be where he is today without football keeping him on the right path.

You don’t have to be a superstar to play for the Warriors, they have room for everybody. But, the program at Charles Hadley Park isn’t just football, and it isn’t just for athletes. Warriors of Liberty City offers a variety of sports such as baseball, cheerleading, dance, and soccer. Recently, Adidas opened a design lab at the park so the kids have a chance to show their creative side.