FOX SPORTS, IMAGINE DOCUMENTARIES & DELIRIO FILMS ANNOUNCE "SUMMER OF '94" PREMIERING MAY 23 ON FOX

Film Chronicles Rise of Iconic 1994 U.S. Men's National Team Before Bursting onto Scene at 1994 FIFA World Cup USA(TM)

Story Told Through the Voices of U.S. Soccer Legends Alexi Lalas, Cobi Jones, Tony Meola, John Harkes, Marcelo Balboa, Eric Wynalda, Jeff Agoos, Thomas Dooley, Paul Caligiuri and Head Coach Bora Milutinović

LOS ANGELES - FOX Sports, America's English-language home for FIFA World Cup 2026(TM), announces today alongside Imagine Documentaries, Delirio Films, DICK'S Sporting Goods' Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios and Copper Pot Pictures, the new original documentary feature SUMMER OF '94 chronicling the rise of the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) leading up to the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA(TM).

Premiering Saturday, May 23 on FOX, the film highlights the wild journey of the 1994 USMNT, a unique group of players led by an unlikely coach who endured a grueling two-year training camp, with no professional league and no roadmap, hoping simply not to embarrass their nation at the first-ever modern World Cup hosted on American soil. Instead, they inspired millions of fans and left a lasting legacy on the sport.

SUMMER OF '94 will have its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival on Saturday, March 14, at 9:15 PM CT at the Rollins Theatre as part of the Documentary Spotlight, Documentary Feature program.

"SUMMER OF '94 brilliantly captures the dramatic turning point of soccer's popularity in America and the inspiring 1994 U.S. men's team," said Barry Nugent, Vice President, Development & Original Programming, FOX Sports. "The 1994 World Cup changed the trajectory of the sport forever and this film tells the unfiltered story about a group of players who came together under impossible circumstances and helped put U.S. soccer on the global stage. As we look ahead to FIFA World Cup 2026(TM) across North America, FOX Sports is proud to partner with Imagine Entertainment and the filmmakers to bring audiences a powerful reminder of where it all began."

Armed with camcorders, the 1994 U.S. players and their coach documented it all, capturing raw moments as the underdogs grew into future legends. Featuring never-before-seen footage and new interviews with soccer legends and FOX Sports analysts Alexi Lalas and Cobi Jones, alongside Tony Meola, John Harkes, Marcelo Balboa, Eric Wynalda, Jeff Agoos, Thomas Dooley, Paul Caligiuri, head coach Bora Milutinović and more, the film reveals how chaos, chemistry, coaching and grit forged a brotherhood that helped carve a new path for U.S. soccer and set the stage for a successful soccer moment in America accompanied by the rise of Major League Soccer.

"When we started this film, we were simply fans who felt this team never got its due," said Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker, Directors, Copper Pot Pictures. "They didn't lift a trophy, but they changed the sport in America. What struck us most was how much they were figuring out in real time, with no league, no blueprint and no guarantees. The footage they captured puts you inside that experience with them as they chose to believe in each other before anyone else did."

When FIFA awarded the 1994 World Cup to the United States, the global soccer community was stunned. More than three decades later, U.S. soccer once again stands at a defining moment. In 1994, the goal was to prove they belonged, today the expectations are far greater. As the global sport prepares to return to North America, SUMMER OF '94 serves as a timely reminder of the resilience and resolve that built the foundation for the modern American game with a premiere date on FOX just 19 days before FIFA World Cup 2026(TM) kicks off Thursday, June 11.

"My dad took me to see the U.S. play Colombia at the Rose Bowl in the summer of '94 and I never forgot that feeling of pride in watching these guys compete," said Marc Gilbar, President of Imagine Brands, IP, and Partnerships. "It's an honor to partner with FOX Sports to bring their story to life alongside the tournament's momentous return to North America."

"At Delirio, we're inspired by stories that have shaped who we are as a culture, and the story of the '94 U.S. Men's National Soccer Team is one of the most important and defining untold chapters in American sports history," said Christopher Leggett, Partner, Delirio Films. "It's both a blast and a profound honor to be working with these legendary players. Revisiting this once-in-a-lifetime experience with them has been an absolute thrill, and we can't wait to share it with fans across the world."

SUMMER OF '94 is executive produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Sara Bernstein, Amanda Farrand, Meredith Kaulfers, Justin Wilkes, Josh Greenbaum, Kaitlin March, Nick Dunn, Ewan Watt, Rebecca Covington, Mark Rooks, Frank Igrec, Richard Motzkin of Wasserman, and Carie Goldberg Trutanich of Gold Standard Sports & Entertainment, along with Eric Shanks, Brad Zager and Nugent of FOX Sports. Samantha Apfel serves as co-producer. The film is produced by Christopher Leggett, Rafael Marmor, Marc Gilbar, Dave LaMattina, and Chad Walker. This deal was negotiated by Robert Benun of BenunLaw on behalf of Lalas, Jones, Motzkin, and Goldberg Trutanich. The film is directed by Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker of Copper Pot Pictures ("I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story", "We Must Go").

SUMMER OF '94 is produced by Imagine Documentaries in partnership with Stand Together and Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios. Through these partnerships, the film supports the "Yes, Coach!" initiative, which encourages more individuals to step into coach-mentor roles and invest in young people both on and off the field.

FOX Sports Films is dedicated to presenting captivating global sports documentaries through an unconventional and entertaining lens. Working with FOX Sports' league and conference partners, the brand produces original programming, connecting live sports events to sports culture.

For more information, visit FOX Sports Press Pass and follow @FOXSportsPR on X.

-- FOX SPORTS --

About FOX Sports

FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation's wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, the business has ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes. FOX Sports' digital properties include FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App, which provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content, instant scores, stats and alerts to iOS and Android devices. Also included in FOX Sports' portfolio are FOX's interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and the UFL and a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.

About Imagine Documentaries

Imagine's documentary division, spearheaded by EMMY and Peabody Award-winning producer Sara Bernstein, has established itself as a powerhouse in the documentary landscape since its inception in 2018. Founded by Imagine Entertainment Chairman Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, alongside Imagine President Justin Wilkes, the division has redefined the industry with its unwavering commitment to producing impactful, socially conscious, and thought-provoking content. Its critically acclaimed and award-winning documentaries have resonated with audiences worldwide, solidifying Imagine as a driving force in the art of storytelling.

By embracing distinct perspectives in their storytelling, Imagine has expanded its footprint in the documentary genre, exploring a wide array of topics, from the EMMY Award-winning Best Documentary Jim Henson Idea Man (Disney+), and Critics Choice Documentary Award winner Music by John Williams (Disney+), the Peabody Award-winning Judy Blume Forever (Prime Video), Stormy, the critically acclaimed portrait of Stormy Daniels (Peacock), 2025 Oscars Shortlisted Frida (Prime Video), The Super Models (Apple TV+), the EMMY-nominated projects We Feed People (Disney+), Lucy and Desi (Prime Video), Downfall: The Case Against Boeing (Netflix); The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari (Netflix), to the hit docuseries The Dynasty: New England Patriots (Apple TV+), Choir (Disney+), Harlem Ice (Disney+), Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer (Netflix), I Am Not a Monster (MAX), The Lost Children (Netflix), and Churchill at War (Netflix).

In 2025, Imagine Documentaries produced Sephora Faces of Music (January, Hulu), Harlem Ice (February, Disney+), David Blaine Do Not Attempt (March, NatGeo), Fight For Glory: 2024 World Series (March, AppleTV+), Pets (April, Disney+), Light & Magic Season 2 (April, Disney+), Earnhardt (May, Prime Video), Marty: Life is Short (May, Netflix), Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything (June, Hulu). With an unmatched slate and an ever-expanding roster of visionary filmmakers, Imagine Documentaries continues to redefine nonfiction storytelling at an unparalleled pace.

About Delirio Films

Delirio Films, run by partners Rafael Marmor & Christopher Leggett, has been at the forefront of premium documentary production for nearly 15 years with a particular focus on history-changing moments and icons. They launched Netflix's original documentary slate with the SXSW Audience Award Winner THE SHORT GAME and then marked Hulu's launch into original documentaries with BECOMING BOND and TOO FUNNY TO FAIL. Delirio premiered three features at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival: Magnolia Film's MIKE WALLACE IS HERE, Hulu Original ASK DR. RUTH, and Amazon's HONEY BOY. In September 2020, Delirio premiered the Emmy-nominated Netflix docu-series THE PLAYBOOK. In 2021, they released the Bob Dylan concert film SHADOW KINGDOM and produced the documentary short CODED which was shortlisted for the Academy Awards. In 2022 they released THEY CALL ME MAGIC, an Apple TV+ original 4 part docu-series about Lakers legend Magic Johnson. Their most recent releases include the 2023 documentary REGGIE, about baseball legend Reggie Jackson, and WILL & HARPER, starring Will Ferrell, which was nominated for five Emmys, won the Critics' Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature, and a Peabody Award for Best Documentary.

About Copper Pot

Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker travel the world searching for stories. Since founding Copper Pot Pictures in 2007, the pair have produced and directed award-winning films and series on all platforms.

I AM BIG BIRD (Tribeca), their documentary about Caroll Spinney, who was Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch for 50 years, played to sold out crowds in theaters across the country and festivals around the world. Following their success with the film, the pair created THE ZOO, a docuseries set at the Bronx Zoo, now streaming on HBO Max. Its instant popularity spawned two spinoffs: THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO and THE AQUARIUM.

Their work is as diverse as the characters and stories it features. In WE MUST GO (Gravitas), their documentary using soccer as a lens to view the Arab Spring, they embedded with the Egyptian National Football Team. In EXPLORING PLANET FUTBOL, a globe-trotting soccer travelogue they created for Sports Illustrated, they journeyed from one end of Africa to the other to amplify unheard voices. In DON BLUTH: SOMEWHERE OUT THERE, they weaved intimate conversations amidst hundreds of hours of archive and home video to create a compelling portrait of an artist forced to contend with his own ego as he tries to strike a balance between commercial success and artistic integrity. Up next is THE ANIMAL SANCTUARY, a dynamic wildlife rescue show set at Tasmania's Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, which will launch on Paramount Australia before a global rollout in 2026.

Both are represented by IAG.

About Stand Together

Stand Together is a philanthropic community that tackles the root causes of our country's biggest problems. We partner with the country's boldest changemakers to drive solutions on education, economic opportunity, strong and safe communities, bridging divides, and other pressing issues.

Stands Together is committed to empowering people who are unlocking the strength within their communities. At their best, films do more than entertain - they cast a positive vision of what's possible, inspiring people to connect, explore new ideas, and take action. When a powerful story sparks imagination, we help turn that inspiration into real-world solutions where every American realizes they have a role to play to society's toughest challenges.

About Cookie Jar and A Dream Studios

Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios is DICK'S Sporting Goods' Emmy-winning, in-house content and production studio. Dedicated to telling powerful, human-centered stories through the lens of sport, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios was founded on the belief that sports have the power to change lives and build community. The studio's work spotlights the grit, triumphs, and heartbreak behind every athlete's journey, with a mission to create emotionally resonant content that inspires long after the final whistle blows. At its core, the studio believes sports are more than just competition; they are universal stories of hope, resilience, and connection.