A collaboration between NBA Entertainment (NBAE) and writer/director/author Nelson George… The Announcement will premiere at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival next month, where I hope to see it.

The short story goes…

On Thursday, Nov. 7, 1991, Earvin "Magic" Johnson made people stop and watch at the Forum in Inglewood, California. But this time it wasn't his basketball brilliance as a perennial NBA All-Star and three-time MVP that was captivating audiences worldwide. Instead, the 32-year-old ground-breaking point guard was holding a press conference to make the stunning announcement that he was HIV-positive and would be retiring from basketball immediately.

And thus, the title, The Announcement.

I was in still in high school then, and vaguely remember it. I think I was more consumed with other things at the time, and so wasn't much affected by it, having only recently arrived in this country, and was still adjusting. But I remember the mood of the period and all that resulted from his revelation, and just how shocked both NBA players and fans were, and all the fear and concerns that followed. 

I imagine Nelson George's film will capture all of that and more, along with details of Magic's personal journey since that announcement (with Magic narrating), and reflecting on the fact that he continues to live and thrive 20 years later.

The Announcement will make its debut on ESPN on March 11 at 9PM.

A trailer for it has been released and it's embedded below: