BREAKING: Philadelphia Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie Signs $13.5M Netflix Deal to Produce Tribute Film on Eagles Baseball Empire

In an extraordinary move that blends sports, storytelling, and cultural legacy, Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has officially signed a $13.5 million deal with streaming giant Netflix to produce a groundbreaking film about the Eagles — not the football team, but the baseball empire that once helped shape the soul of American athletics.

The announcement, confirmed early Thursday morning by Lurie’s production company Play/Action Pictures and later by Netflix, sent shockwaves across both the sports and entertainment industries. For decades, the Philadelphia Eagles have been synonymous with NFL toughness and blue-collar football grit, but this cinematic endeavor aims to unearth a nearly forgotten chapter of the city’s rich athletic heritage — one rooted in baseball diamonds, local legends, and a sporting spirit that predates even the NFL franchise’s founding in 1933.

Lurie, who has a deep passion for film and previously won an Academy Award for the 2011 documentary Inside Job, is no stranger to projects with emotional gravity and cultural relevance. But this time, the longtime NFL owner is trading shoulder pads for leather mitts and the roar of Lincoln Financial Field for the crack of a bat on a dirt field.

“This is a story that belongs to every Philadelphian — and truly, every American who believes in the magic of sport as a unifier and a teacher,” Lurie said in a statement. “It’s a tribute to the men, women, and communities who played not for money or fame, but for passion, pride, and each other.”

A Forgotten Legacy Unearthed

While many fans immediately associate “Eagles” with the NFL team that has captured the hearts of millions across generations, few know of Philadelphia’s historical baseball lineage that shares the same name. The Eagles Baseball Club, a semi-professional team that emerged in the early 20th century, played a foundational role in the city’s athletic development. They weren’t just a team — they were a symbol of unity during periods of social unrest and economic hardship.

According to project researchers, the baseball Eagles featured players from different ethnic and racial backgrounds at a time when segregation still dominated major American sports. Many games were played at community fields in West and South Philly, drawing thousands of fans who came not just for baseball, but for fellowship.

“They weren’t in the Major Leagues. They weren’t on television. But they mattered,” said Dr. Roland Price, a sports historian and consultant on the Netflix film. “They were the pride of neighborhoods, of families. Their stories have largely been forgotten, and it’s time they’re told.”

From Gridiron to Greenlight

The film, still untitled, will be produced by Play/Action Pictures in collaboration with Netflix Originals. It’s billed as a “cinematic tribute” — not just a documentary or sports biopic, but a visually lush, emotionally compelling narrative based on true events. It will feature dramatized scenes, archival footage, interviews with historians, descendants of players, and even cameo appearances by Philadelphia sports legends.

Lurie will serve as executive producer, with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay attached as co-director alongside acclaimed sports documentarian Ezra Edelman (O.J.: Made in America). Netflix is reportedly eyeing a fall 2026 release, perfectly timed to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the Eagles Baseball Club’s peak.

“We’re not here to make a stats-driven documentary,” DuVernay said during Thursday’s virtual press conference. “This film is about dreams. About what sports mean when you strip away money, contracts, and television deals. It’s about how people find purpose, identity, and family through the game.”

Community-Driven Production

One of the most exciting aspects of the deal is its commitment to the Philadelphia community. Filming will take place primarily in South Philadelphia, North Philly, and nearby Chester, with Lurie pledging to hire over 300 local workers — including aspiring young filmmakers, set designers, and historians — as part of the production team.

“There’s no better place to tell this story than here, where it all began,” said co-writer Kendra McKinnon, a Philly native. “From the cobbled back alleys of South Street to the old sandlots where these players once stood, every brick holds a piece of this legacy.”

The project will also involve Philadelphia public schools and local universities, integrating historical workshops and screenings into education programs, ensuring that students learn about the baseball Eagles and their impact.

Not Just Sports — A Mirror of Society

What sets this project apart is its ambition to portray sport not merely as entertainment, but as a reflection of the American journey — with all its triumphs, struggles, contradictions, and growth.

The film will explore themes like racial integration, class division, war-time resilience, and the shifting role of athletics in working-class America. During the Eagles Baseball Club’s heyday, the U.S. was grappling with the Great Depression, WWII, and post-war urban changes. The team, composed of dockworkers, teachers, and factory hands, became a surrogate family for many — especially in Black and immigrant neighborhoods.

“This isn’t just about baseball — it’s about America,” Edelman said. “It’s about fathers and sons, communities rebuilding after loss, and the things that keep people going when the world around them feels broken.”

Eagles Fans React

Fans took to social media with a mix of surprise and admiration upon hearing the news. While some were initially confused by the baseball angle, many expressed excitement at learning about a previously untold part of their city’s heritage.

“This is wild. I had no idea there was a baseball Eagles. Jeffrey Lurie might be a genius for this one,” tweeted lifelong Eagles fan @PhillyBird87. “Give me the green jerseys, the dirt fields, and the heart. I’m watching this Day One.”

Some NFL fans jokingly asked if Lurie would sneak in footage of the Super Bowl LII win, while others praised the project as an example of how sports franchises can go beyond the field and contribute to cultural storytelling.

What’s Next?

While the $13.5 million deal covers pre-production, principal photography, and initial marketing, sources close to the project say Netflix is open to expanding the budget based on early feedback and creative direction. There’s also talk of a companion series or docuseries diving deeper into individual players, games, and the communities involved.

In the meantime, the Eagles organization is expected to unveil a commemorative display inside Lincoln Financial Field dedicated to the baseball Eagles — featuring vintage photos, game logs, and memorabilia from the early 1900s.

Lurie hinted that this film may only be the beginning of a broader initiative to explore Philadelphia’s sporting roots beyond the NFL. “There are so many stories waiting to be told,” he said. “And as long as I have a platform to tell them, I will.”

A Legacy Reimagined

With production slated to begin in early 2026 and the premiere set for later that fall, anticipation is already building. But one thing is clear: this film will do more than celebrate wins or document games. It will revive a legacy buried in the past and offer a poignant look at how something as simple as a bat and a ball once helped build the soul of a city.

In a world often dominated by headlines about contract disputes, franchise relocation threats, and NIL debates, this project stands as a bold reminder of why we fell in love with sports in the first place — not for the trophies, but for the stories.

And with Jeffrey Lurie at the helm and Netflix on board, the story of the Philadelphia Eagles Baseball Empire is finally getting the platform — and the respect — it deserves.